Hardware - CGS

central processing unit

- the computer's main microprocesser

embedded computer examples

-a digital watch -a programmable thermostat or even a coffee pot -anti lock brakes and ignition systems in vehicles -many medical devices have these with real time operating systems

tablet

-highly mobile -touchscreen -separate keyboard and mouse can be added -hardware and RAM cannot be upgraded -some use a smaller operating system

differentiating computers

-identifying computer types: increasingly difficult -tablets often come with keyboards and a full OS: more like laptops 2-1s: laptops with detaching keyboards -all in ones: basically huge tablets

processor manufacturers

-intel -NVIDIA -AMD

uses of a tablet

-light yet powerful: great for travel, reading, email, games -with a separate keyboard, tablets gain much of a laptop's functionality -if it comes with a smaller OS apps may be limited to mobile versions

uses of a laptop

-mobile: can be carried to class -full operating system: will run all applications -plenty of storage space -memory can be upgraded

computer memory

-refers to a variety of memory types -memory is physically found on microchips that are located on the motherboard -comprised of solid state electronics

desktop

-separate system unit -peripherals -system unit: allows for easy hardware upgrades -large footprint

all-in-one

-stationary device -computer within a large montior -separate keyboard and mouse -usually a touchscreen monitor -full operating system

gigabyte

1 billion bytes

single core processor

1 core = usually 1 ALU + 1 control unit single core processor = 1 for

kilobyte

1 thousand bytes

terabyte

1 trillion bytes

petabye

1,000 terabytes

high definition

1920x1080p

simplified computer layout

CPU and GPU - 2 computers within a computer -data travels on buses -memory and caches -storage

multicore processor

CPU with two or more cores (ALU + control unit) -capable of "hyper threading"

gigahertz

GHz -equal to one billion cycles

high-definition multimedia interface

HDMI allows for the transmission of high-definition audio and video signals -standard interface for high definition video

megahertz

MHz -equal to one million cycles per second

musical instrument digital interphase

MIDI -special connector for digital musical devices -carries extremely clean digital music signals and is very common in today's music scene

embedded computer

a computer that is integrated (a part of) a larger device or system -typically have small operating systems referred to as Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) with limited capability

computer

a digital device that: -access input -processes data into information -stores data -provides information output

uses of all-in-ones

a neat, clean look for a desk or office -a large monitor without the large system unit -not easily upgradeable, not as popular with computer experts or serious gamers

ports

a point designed to accept a specific connector -always plug into -example: a thumb drive connector plugs into a USB port

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

blu-ray discs

a type of optical media (written/rad by laser) -can store up to 50 GB of data

megabyte

about 1 million bytes

native resolution

actual number of pixels of the display

screensize

actual viewable area of a display -measured diagonally -a major factor when choosing a digital device

solid state drives (SSD)

all electronic storage device -used in a variety of products: smartphones, cameras, and tablet computers -no moving parts (fast, durable)

wireless ports

allow transmission of data using radio waves -WiFi, bluetooth, infrared

media players

allow you to listen to audio files such as music, podcasts, read books, and watch videos -called personal media players (kindle and apple iPod)

hard drive capacity

amount a available storage -usually measured in gigabytes

SSD capacity

amount of available storage -usually measured in GB -major factor in the price of a tablet or a smartphone

bus width

amount of data a bus can carry -wider bus = faster data transfer

wordsize

amount of data a processor can hold and process at one time -today's processors generally have word sizes of 32 or 64 bits

video graphics array (VGA) connectors

analog connector used for monitors and televisions during the 1990s -largely replaced by HDMI connectors

graphics adapter

call a video card -performs graphics processing, creates video output -gaming and other HD applications may require an enhanced video card

downward compatibility

capable of using older (lower technology) products or software -most optical drives

processor

central processing unit (CPU) -brains of the computer -the most important hardware component -located on the main circuit board -2 main components: ALU, control unit

overclocking

changing processor setting so computer runs faster than recommended by the manufacturer -can overheat the computer -voids warranties

motherboard

circuit board that holds the computer's central processing unit

resolution

clarity of an image -measured in lines of pixels -more pixels = higher resolution

2-in-1 computer

combines the mobility of a tablet with the power of a laptop -full operating system -solid state hard drive -less storage than a traditional laptop -touchscreen -keyboard is either detachable or can be flipped behind the monitor -owners use cloud storage

server

computer system in a network that is shared by multiple users -host computers

random access memory (RAM)

computer's main memory: located on the motherboard, connected to the CPU -solid state electronics -the memory available to programs to execute tasks -temporary storage area, cleared when device is powered off

input

computers accept data from many sources including, keyboards, cameras, microphones, even other computer

process

computers compile and transform data into useful information

output

computers display information in many forms - images, video, audio

store

computers have the ability to store data for future use

binary

consists of two digits - 0 and 1 -each 0 or 1 is called a bit -eight binary digits grouped together are called a byte

web server

controls access to resources on the web

network server

controls access to resources such as printers and applications on a network

ripping

copying data from a disk to a computer's hard drive

lightning connector and port

designed by apple for iPods, iPads, iPhones, and apple watch docks -high speed data and power transfer connection -8 pin adapter -can plug in either direction

thunderbolt

designed by apple for macintosh computers and apple devices -high speed data and power transfer connection -allow for connecting up to 6 devices

DVD-

developed by pioneer

DVD+

developed by sony

DVD-RW

digital versatile disc re-writable -erased and recorded multiple times

DVD-R

digital versatile disc-recordable can be written to one time

DVDs

digital versatile discs -a type of optical media (written/read by laser) -typically can store up to 8.5 Gb of data

amount of RAM

directly impacts processing speed -most phones: at least 2 GB -most laptops: at least 4 GB

computer bus

electronic pathway connecting computer parts -data and information travel over buses -bus connecting CPU to RAM

hyperthreading

executing multiple instructions simultaneously

uses of a desktop

great for: -businesses -families with children that might drop laptops -gamers and computer experts, allows for flexibility and expansion

smartphone

handheld computer with cellular networking capability -screensize and computing power: main limitations -uses mobile versions of apps -durable, solid state technology (battery life)

memory cache

high speed memory used by the CPU to store frequently accessed data and instructions -referred to by levels

disk cache

high speed memory used by the hard drive to store frequently accessed data

cache

high-speed storage area usually located directly on the CPU -smaller but faster than RAM -used to speed repeated instructions -used wherever high speed memory can accelerate processing

laptop

hinged folding computer -integrated monitor, keyboard and touchpad -full operating system -aside from smartphones, remains the top selling type of personal computer

machine cycle

how a computer processes instructions 4 steps: - fetch the instruction -decode the instruction -execute the instruction -store the instruction

processor speed

how fast a computer can process an instruction -2 major factors impacting processor speed: clock speed, bus width

IrDA

infrared data association -often used with a wireless mouse, keyboard, remote control, etc -wireless connection using infrared radio waves

internal storage

integral to the computer -called the computer's hard drive

storage

keeping files, information, and data for future use -data remains intact when computer is turned off

control unit

locates, analyzes, and executes instructions

mainframe computers

more powerful than servers and are used by organizations to process large amounts of data -very expensive costing from $100,00 to over $1 million dollars

unicode

most common computer code -uses at least 16 bits per character -virtually limitless characters: allows for foreign languages

ethernet port

most commonly used port for a wire network connection -used for local area networks or for connecting modems and routers to the internet

supercomputers

most powerful type of computer -can evaluate complex data very quickly -many in the US are owned by the government

desktop computer

motherboard is housed in the chassis, such as this tower (system unit)

clock speed

number of instructions -processed per second by the CPU -sometimes called clock rate -usually measured in gigahertz 1 GHz = 1 billion per second

ASCII

once the most common computer code -american standard code for information interchange

system unit

part of the computer that houses the motherboard -motherboard -CPU

arithmetic logic unit

performs mathematical tasks

computer hardware

physical parts of a computer -the system unit -printer -monitor -keyboard -mouse -router

pixel perfect

pixels from incoming signal matches native resolution of display

computing functions

processing cycle -input -process -output -store

R

recordable (one time)

USB drives

relatively inexpensive, durable, solid state electronic storage devices

external storage

resides outside the computer itself -external hard drives, USB drives (thumb drives)

RW

rewritable (multiple times_

bluetooth

short-distance wireless transmission technology -uses short wavelength radio waves that pass easily through walls, furniture, etc. -signal is usually strong to about 30 feet, then the signal weakens

3.5 mm audio connectors

small analog audio connector with 2-5 contacts used with: -translator radios in the 1950s -sony walkman cassette players in the 1980s -nearly all cell phones

all-in-one computers

smaller footprint than desktops, but can't be upgraded

pixel

smallest element in an image -usually composed of a red + blue + green dot -more pixels = better image quality

connector

specialized end of a cable or device that plugs into a port

read-only memory (ROM)

storage for data and instructions installed by a manufacturer -not generally rewritable (can't be altered or removed) -includes the device's starting instructions

smartphone

system unit behind touchscreen

laptop

system unit beneath the keyboard

computer graphics

the images sent from a computer to a display -usually created by a separate processes within the computer called the graphics processing unit

boot process

the process of loading an operating system into main memory 1. device is powered on 2. power on self test is executed 3. OS is loaded into RAM 4. OS checks the registry and loads saved communication settings

USB

universal serial bus -specialized connector allowing data and power transfer

CAT5e

up to 1 Gb/sec

CAT6

up to 10 Gb/sec

CAT5 ethernet

up to 100 Mb/sec

encoding standards

use numerical values to represent characters (letters, numbers, and symbols

file server

used for data storage

optical drives

used in DVD, blu ray and CD players -reads and writes data using lasers -speed measured in RPM of the spinning disc -actual discs = optical media

hertz

used to measure frequency -one hertz = one cycle per second -Hz

hard drive

usually a laptop or desktop computer's primary storage device -used fixed disk platters to store data and information -hard disk

wifi

wireless local area network -most computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming platforms are wifi capable -wifi transmission site = hotspot

burning

writing data onto a disc