Computer Hardware

Clock speed

(Clock Rate) The speed at which the processor performs the operations required to run a digital device and instructions executed by the digital device. Clock speed is measured in hertz (Hz).

A bus has two parts:

---Address bus ---Data bus

CPU

-Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brains of the computer where most calculations take place. -The processor is the most important component of a digital device. -Without a processor, the digital device would not function.

Machine Cycle

-Fetch -Decode -Execute -Store

Why buy a tablet computer?

-Light yet powerful, -popular for reading email, gaming, and travel. -Often used by doctors making their rounds or by servers taking orders in restaurants. -By adding a separate keyboard a tablet gains much of a laptop's functionality, Be aware the smaller OS in a tablet may limit what programs can be run on it

Memory and Disk Cache

-Memory cache is high-speed memory used by the CPU to store frequently accessed data and instructions. Memory cache is referred to by levels. ---L1 cache is small and integrated into the CPU. ---L3 cache is larger and next to the CPU. -Disk cache is high-speed memory used by the hard drive to store frequently accessed data.

Laptop characteristics

-Mobile hinged and folding, clamshell-type computers with an integrated keyboard. -Full operating system and remain a top-selling personal computer.

Why buy a laptop?

-portable digital device -more computing power than a tablet or phone. -capability of having more memory added.

Desktop characteristics

-stationary devices that consist of a separate case called the system unit. -Peripheral devices, such as a monitor, keyboard, and a mouse are connected to the system unit. -The system unit houses the main components of the computer. Some refer to the system unit as the computer's chassis. -Because of it's size, a desktop's system unit allows for relatively easy hardware upgrades.

Computer Bus

A bus is a channel over which information flows. Think of a bus as a highway on which data travels in a computer.

Unicode

A common encoding standard that is capable of representing all of the world's languages. A 16 bit encoding standard.

Single Core Processor

A core on a CPU refers to the components on the chip that are needed for processing. Has only ONE core. Usually this means one arithmetic logic unit and one control unit.

Traditional Hard Drive

A hard drive is a computer's primary storage device. A hard drive uses fixed disk platters to store data and information. The terms "hard drive" and "hard disk" are used synonymously. Hard drives are the primary storage device in a variety of digital devices including laptops and servers.

Pixel

A pixel is the smallest element in an electronic image. The more pixels in an image, the better the image quality.

Protocol

A set of rules for communication between devices that determines how data is transmitted and received. There are many protocols that are used to help streamline the communication of all digital devices. WiFi uses the 802.11 protocol. This protocol ensures that devices enabled with WiFi can connect to any WiFi network.

Bluetooth

A short-distance wireless communication technology that uses relatively short-wavelength radio waves to transfer data. Because it uses short-wavelength radio waves, Bluetooth signals easily pass through walls, furniture, etc. Most Bluetooth transmissions remain strong up to 10 feet away and then start to reduce in signal strength.

Ports

A slot or hole that matches the cord or expansion card being connected to the port. You always plug into a port.

Connectors

A specialized end of a cord, plug, or expansion card that connects into a port. On a cable, the connector is the end that connects to a port.

Optical Drives

A type of computer drive that writes and reads data using lasers. Work by rotating an inserted disc. The rotating disc is then read with a laser beam within the optical drive's read/write head.

Blu-ray

A type of optical media used in optical drives. Blu-ray discs can store up to 50 GB of data. Most Blu-ray drives are capable of reading CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.

Megahertz

Abbreviated MHz and is equal to one million cycles (or instructions) per second. 1 MHz is one million instructions per second.

Wireless Ports

Allow for the transmission of data between fixed and mobile devices using short-range radio waves or light waves. Most Bluetooth transmissions remain strong up to 10 feet away and then start to reduce in signal strength. Infrared requires line-of-sight transmission.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (pronounced AS-key) is a common encoding standard. ASCII code is capable of representing 26 uppercase and lowercase letters used in the English language, numbers, and many different symbols. ASCII can represent a total of 256 characters.

Bus width

Bus width is the amount of data that can be transmitted at a given time. The wider the bus, the more information that can travel along the bus, which creates faster transmission speeds. Bus width is measured in bits.

Bit

Computers communicate using their own language. This language is called binary. Binary language consists of two digits - 0 and 1. Each 0 or 1 is called a bit. Bits are the smallest unit of data a computer can process.

Blur-ray R and RW

Data and information can be stored on optical media such as Blu-ray and DVD. A DVD-R can have data written to it one time. A DVD-RW can have data erased and re-written a number of times.

DVD

Digital Versatile Discs (DVD) are a type of optical media used in optical drives. DVDs can store up to 8.5 GB of data. Most DVD drives are capable of reading CDs and DVDs.

Storage Device

Digital devices need to store information temporarily and indefinitely. Storage devices allow for the storage of data and information that can be retrieved for future use. Data remains intact when the computer is turned off.

What's a computer?

Digital devices that: -Accept input -Process and store the input -Provide output

Byte

Eight bits grouped together are called a byte. Each number, special character, and letter of the alphabet is represented by a unique combination of bits. For example, an ampersand (&) is represented as 00100110.

FireWire

FireWire ports are a type of Thunderbolt port. Thunderbolt ports allow for up to 6 different peripherals to be connected to one device. FireWire is commonly found on Apple computers and devices.

Memory

Found in microchips that are located on the motherboard. Memory refers to a variety of memory types. Memory is comprised of solid state electronics which makes it fast and energy efficient since there are no mechanical moving parts.

Gigahertz

Gigahertz is abbreviated GHz and is equal to one billion cycles (or instructions) per second. 3.8 GHz is 3.8 billion instructions per second.

Hertz

Hertz is used to measure frequency, or how often something occurs. Hertz is abbreviated Hz. The speed of most modern processors is measured in Gigahertz, or billions of computer operations each second. It is named for Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, the first person to provide proof of electromagnetic waves

HDMI

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a standard interface for audio-video connectivity. Allows for the transmission of high-definition audio and video signals.

Cache

High-speed storage usually located directly on the CPU. Cache is smaller but faster than RAM. Cache is used to quickly access repeated instructions.

Tablet computer characteristics

Highly mobile touchscreen technology as the main input method, Unlike laptops, tablets cannot be upgraded. Smaller OS than laptop computers, making them less powerful

Computer Layout

In blue are the computer's two processors, the central processing unit, known as the CPU or the processor; and the graphics processing unit, known as the GPU. Memory is depicted in light green. The system cache provides memory for data that the CPU is using repeatedly. RAM holds data for the CPU's use. Note that the GPU has its own memory. Storage is shown in dark green. This is the computer's hard drive that keeps data even after the computer is powered down.

IrDA

Infrared Data Association which establishes the protocols for infrared communication transfer. Longer wavelength waves don't easily pass through walls or furniture (line-of-sight only). IrDA is a wireless connection that uses Infrared (relatively long) radio waves to transmit data. IrDA devices are often used with a wireless mouse, keyboard, remote control, etc.

Processor Manufacturers

Intel Corporation - Founded in 1968, Intel is the world's largest manufacturer of processors. AMD - Founded in 1969, AMD's technology is featured inside every major next generation gaming console and home entertainment system. ---Microsoft's Xbox One ---Sony's PS4™ ---Nintendo's Wii U

How much RAM?

It is important to consider the amount of RAM that comes with a digital device. Most smartphones come with at least 2 gigabytes of RAM installed. Most laptops come with at least 4 gigabytes of RAM installed.

Storage Capacity

Kilobyte (KB) - About 1 thousand bytes - One kilobyte is equal to about one page of text. Megabyte (MB) - About 1 million bytes - One megabyte is equal to about 875 pages of text. Gigabyte - (GB) - About 1 billion bytes - One gigabyte is equal to 341 digital images (3 MB average file size. Terabyte (TB) - About 1 trillion bytes - One terabyte is equal to about 349,000 digital images (3 MB average file size) or 40 single-sided Blu-ray discs. Petabyte (PB) - Equals 1,000 terabytes - One petabyte is equal to about 358,000,000 digital images (3 MB average file size) or about 42,000 single-sided Blu-ray discs.

Types of computers

Many shapes, sizes and designs. Tablets, phones, and laptops are all computers.

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) allows for the interface and connectivity of digital musical devices to computers. MIDI is capable of carrying digital music signals and are common in today's music scene.

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory A type of memory found on the motherboard of a digital device. RAM is electronic and has no moving parts. RAM is also called main memory, which means the memory available to programs to execute tasks. RAM is a temporary storage area and is cleared when a device is powered off.

ROM

Read-Only Memory is a storage area in a digital device that is installed by the digital device manufacturer. Most ROM can't be altered or removed. Information that is commonly stored in ROM includes a digital device's boot instructions.

Word Size

Refers to the amount of data a processor can hold and process at one time. Today's processors generally have word sizes of 32 or 64 bits. A 64-bit processor can process information faster than a 32-bit processor.

Resolution

Resolution is the clarity of an image. The resolution is measured in pixels. The more pixels in a display device, the higher the resolution. ---SD 720x480 ---Full HD 1920x1080 ---Quad HD 2560x1440 ---4K 3840x2160

Overclocking

Running the processor faster than recommended by the manufacturer. This can increase performance and speed, but also can also void the manufacturer warranty.

Screen size

Screen size is the actual viewable area of a display device. Screen size is measured diagonally from one corner of the screen's viewable area to the other.

SSD

Solid state drives (SSD) are all-electronic storage devices. SSD are used in a variety of products, smartphones, cameras, and tablet computers. SSDs have no moving parts, which makes them faster and more durable than hard drives.

Burning and Ripping

Some common terms used with optical disks Burning means to write data onto a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disk. Ripping means to copy the data from the disk and writing it onto your computer's hard drive.

Internal and External Storage

Storage that is integral to the computer itself. The computer's hard drive. External storage devices reside outside the computer itself. --Examples include external hard drives and USB or thumb drives. Optical drives, such as a laptop's DVD drive, and memory cards such as a microSD card for a phone are usually considered external storage. Though they're housed within the computer, they aren't actually part of the computer itself.

ALU and Control Unit

The ALU performs the following mathematical tasks: -Arithmetic: addition -Subtraction -Multiplication -Division -Comparison: equal-to-, less-than, greater than -Logic: AND, OR, and NOT The Control Unit -locates -analyzes -executes . Essentially, it tells the computer's memory, arithmetic logic unit, and input and output devices how to respond to a program's instructions.

Downward Compatibility

The ability of hardware or software to work with data and information produced by older product or software. Most DVD and Blu-ray drives are downward compatible.

Hard Drive Capacity

The amount of storage you have available to save data and information. Capacity is usually measured in gigabytes (billions of bytes) and terabytes (trillions of bytes). Computer applications such as Microsoft Office and multimedia files need a lot of storage capacity. The cost of one megabyte of storage on the first hard disk in IBM's RAMAC in 1957 would cost $200,000 in today's dollars. That same megabyte today costs as little as four/one thousandth of a cent.

SSD Capacity

The amount of storage you have available to save data and information. Capacity is usually measured in gigabytes (billions of bytes). The more SSD capacity you need, the more money it will cost. SSD capacity is one of the most determinant factors of price when buying a tablet or smartphone.

Boot Process

The boot process is the loading of an operating system into the main memory of a device. The boot process consists of 4 steps. ---The device is powered on and the CPU activates BIOS. ---The Power-On Self-Test is executed. ---The OS is loaded into RAM. ---The OS checks the registry settings and loads saved configuration settings.

Graphics

The depiction of image data on a display or output device. Usually created by a separate processor within the computer known as the graphics processing unit (GPU).

Video Card

The graphics adapter performs graphics processing and creates video output. A video card is sometimes refereed to as a graphics card or graphics adapter.

Native Resolution

The maximum resolution of the display device. A laptop with 1920 (horizontal pixels) x 1080 (vertical pixels) has 2,073,600 total pixels The first number is horizontal resolution, and the second is vertical resolution.

Processor speed

The speed of a digital device's processor is determined by a number of factors. Clock speed Bus width

Multicore Processors

Two or more cores that are responsible for processing. A multicore processor has the ability to execute two or more sets of instructions at the same time. This is called hyperthreading.

USB

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a type of interface that enables communication between digital devices. USB allows for data transfer between devices and for devices to be electrically charged. Sometimes referred to as thumb drives, flash drives or jump drives. USB drives use solid-state flash memory to store information on an internal memory chip. USB drives allow for fast data transfer, are inexpensive, and durable.

WiFi

WiFi is a wireless local area network. The word WiFi is a play on the old audio term High-Fi. A WiFi transmission site is called a Hotspot. Most computers, tablets, smartphones, and gaming platforms are WiFi capable. WiFi uses the 802.11 protocol - 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz radio waves