CH 2 Hardware

terabyte

1000GB largest byte

pixels

A monitor's screen is divided into millions of tiny dots

Optical Storage

CDs, DVDs and BD (blueray)

dots per inch (dpi).

Image quality, also known as print resolution

pages per minute (ppm)

Printer speed is measured in the number

duplexing

The ability to automatically print to both sides of a piece of paper

haptics

The communication of vibration, motion, or physical resistance to a user enhance audio or video output from computers to make them more relevant or noticeable

drives

The devices that can read, write, and erase data

the system unit

The main component of a desktop computer

bit

The most fundamental unit of computing

USB port

The most popular port

storage media

The physical locations where things are stored

Facial recognition

a biometric technology that looks for unique measurements in an individual's face

sound card

a circuit board that converts sound from analog to digital form, and vice versa, for recording or playback

byte

a collection of eight bits

ports

a collection of plugs

scanner

a device that uses optical technology to convert objects that it analyzes into a digital format

Cache

a form of high-speed memory that stores a small instruction/ data

LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor

a light source and a screen of special crystals placed in the monitor between the user and the light source

stylus

a pen-like input tool that is used with a variety of touchscreen devices

ROM

a small chip that contains device-specific information

The touchpad

a stationary, rectangular pointing surface that is typically found on laptop computers.

RFID scanners

a tiny chip or label that contains electronically stored data.

document feed

a tray that allows you to scan several sheets of paper automatically.

interactive whiteboards

a user can interact with the images projected on a screen or whiteboard

Touchscreens

accept input by allowing the user to place a fingertip directly on the computer screen

The monitor

an electronic display device, or screen, used to output text and graphics to the user

The video card

an intermediary device between the CPU and the monitor

Thermal printers

apply heat to special thermal paper, turning select areas black to produce text and basic graphics.

Barcode scanners

are used to scan the barcode labels that uniquely identify most products sold today

DVDs

can store either 4.7 or 8.5 GB of data

Compact discs (CDs)

capable of storing up to 700 MB of data

Multifunction printers

combine either inkjet or laser printing capabilities with scanning, photocopying, and faxing capabilities.

multimedia capabilities

computers can input and output sound, music, images, and video

Dot matrix printers

create output by striking an inked ribbon against paper using metal pins. They are the only printers that can produce carbon-copy or pressure-sensitive forms.

Ergonomic keyboards

designed to be comfortable and tailored for the human body, can reduce hand and wrist strain

Fingerprint scanners

detect the unique patterns and swirls of an individual's finger

memory

electronic chips that store data and program instructions that can be accessed quickly by the CPU

solid state drives (SSDs).

hard drives now use flash memory instead of the more traditional magnetic technology

Flatbed scanners

have a glass surface that allows you to scan almost any object, from a page in a textbook to an old photo album

The contrast ratio

how close the monitor can get to the brightest white and the darkest black.

clock rate

in GHz) measures the speed of a processor

firmware

instructions on this chip (ROM)

A TV tuner

is a device that can capture television signals for viewing on a computer

Virtual memory

not actual memory, but rather a portion of your hard drive that is being used as RAM when the situation demands it

Digital cameras

portable devices that electronically capture and store still images and video.

Digital projectors

project digital images and video onto a large screen where they can be viewed by an audience.

Document scanners

specialize in scanning large quantities of documents in a short amount of time

BD

store 25 or 50 GB of data

response time

the amount of time (in milliseconds) that it takes for a pixel to change from black to white

RAM

the computer's temporary workspace.

motherboard

the largest circuit board in a personal computer

central processing unit (CPU)

the main processor of a computer organize and carry out instructions

Biometrics

the measurement of patterns or characteristics found in the human body

optical mouse

the most common pointing device for desktop computers

resolution

the number of pixels that it can display on the screen.

hard drive

the primary storage device of a personal computer.

USB flash drive

the small storage stick that plugs into a USB port

CRT monitors

they are older, large and bulky, are rarely used today.

chipsets

traffic directors

3D printers

unique in that they can create a three-dimensional object made of various materials

Dye-sublimation (dye-sub)

use a process where by colored dyes are heated and then diffuse on specialty paper or other materials.

LED monitors

use liquid crystals, are lit by a grid of tiny electronic lights called light emitting diodes (LEDs

Tape drives

use magnetic tape to store data

Inkjet printers

using a laser that is aimed at a rotating drum. Toner (ink powder) then sticks to the drum.

graphics tablets

which offer extra-sensitive touch surfaces that translate an artist's motions into drawings on the computer screen.