Chapter 2 Key Terms A
A desktop system unit that houses the computer’s processor, all-in-one computer memory, and monitor in a single unit.
Combines the functions of a printer, scanner, copier, and fax into all-in-one printer one machine.
The set of programs on a computer that helps a user carry out tasks such as word processing, sending e-mail, balancing a budget, application creating presentations, editing photos, taking an online course, and software playing games.
The width-to-height proportion of a monitor. aspect ratio
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B
A digit that corresponds to the on and off states of a computer’s binary digit (bit) switches. A bit contains a value of either 0 or 1.
The language computers use to process data into information, binary language consisting of only the values 0 and 1.
A type of wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances (approximately 3–300 feet depending on Bluetooth power); often used to connect peripherals such as printers and (technology) keyboards to computers or headsets to cell phones.
A method of optical storage for digital data, developed for storing high-definition media. It has the largest storage capacity of all Blu-ray disc (BD) optical storage options.
Eight binary digits (bits). byte
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C
The part of the system unit of a computer that is responsible for data processing; it is the largest and most important chip in the central processing computer. The CPU controls all the functions performed by the unit (CPU, or computer’s other components and processes all the commands processor) issued to it by software instructions.
Using a service that keeps files on the Internet rather than storing cloud storage on a local device.
The process of starting a computer from a powered-down or off cold boot state.
A method of optical storage for digital data; originally developed compact disc (CD) for storing digital audio.
A data-processing device that gathers, processes, outputs, and computer stores data and information.
A port that enables a computing device to be connected to other connectivity port devices or systems such as networks, modems, and the Internet.
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D
Numbers, words, pictures, or sounds that represent facts, figures, data or ideas; the raw input that users have at the start of a job.
A computer that’s intended for use at a single location. A desktop computer consists of a case that houses the main components of desktop computer the computer, plus peripheral devices. digital video (or A method of optical storage for digital data that has greater versatile) disc storage capacity than compact discs. (DVD) Video interface technology that newer LCD monitors, as well as digital video other multimedia devices such as televisions, DVD players, and interface (DVI) projectors, use to connect to a PC. port
A special shelf inside a computer that is designed to hold storage drive bay devices.
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E
A specially designed computer chip that resides inside another device, such as a car. These self-contained computer devices have embedded their own programming and typically neither receive input from computer users nor interact with other systems.
How a user sets up his or her computer and other equipment to ergonomics minimize risk of injury or discomfort.
A port that’s slightly larger than a standard phone jack and that transfers data at speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps; used to connect a Ethernet port computer to a DSL or cable modem or to a network.
A circuit board with specific functions that augment the computer’s expansion card basic functions and provide connections to other devices; (adapter card) examples include the sound card and the video card.
A hard drive that is enclosed in a protective case to make it portable; the drive is connected to the computer with a data external hard drive transfer cable and is often used to back up data.
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F
An interface port that transfers data at 800 Mbps. FireWire 800
A drive that plugs into a universal serial bus (USB) port on a computer and that stores data digitally. Also called a USB drive, flash drive jump drive, or thumb drive.
A form of portable storage; this removable memory card is often used in digital cameras, smartphones, video cameras, and flash memory card printers.
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G
About a billion bytes. gigabyte (GB) One billion hertz. gigahertz (GHz)
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H
The computer’s nonvolatile, primary storage device for permanent hard disk drive storage of software and documents. (HDD)
Any part of a computer or computer system you can physically hardware touch.
A power-management mode that saves the current state of the hibernate current system to the computer’s hard drive. high-definition A compact audio–video interface standard that carries both high- multimedia definition video and uncompressed digital audio. interface (HDMI)
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I
A printer that has tiny hammer-like keys that strike the paper through an inked ribbon, thus making a mark on the paper. The impact printer most common impact printer is the dot-matrix printer.
Data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion; the result, or output that users require at the end of a information job.
A nonimpact printer that sprays tiny drops of ink onto paper. inkjet printer
A hardware device used to enter, or input, data (text, images, and sounds) and instructions (user responses and commands) into a input device computer. Some input devices are keyboards and mice.
A hard drive that resides within the computer’s system unit and internal hard drive that usually holds all permanently stored programs and data.
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K
A hardware device used to enter typed data and commands into a keyboard computer.
A unit of computer storage equal to approximately 1,000 bytes. kilobyte (KB)
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L laptop (or A portable computer with a keyboard, a monitor, and other notebook) devices integrated into a single compact case. computer A nonimpact printer known for quick and quiet production and laser printer high-quality printouts.
Comprises computing devices, software, or peripherals that use techniques, parts, and methods from an earlier time that are no legacy technology longer popular.
A newer, more energy-efficient technology used in monitors. It light-emitting may result in better color accuracy and thinner panels than diode (LED) traditional LCD monitors. liquid crystal The technology used in flat-panel computer monitors. display (LCD)
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M
A large, expensive computer that supports hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously and executes many different programs at mainframe the same time.
A unit of computer storage equal to approximately 1 million bytes. megabyte (MB)
A device that allows you to capture sound waves, such as those created by your voice, and to transfer them to digital format on microphone (mic) your computer.
A common output device that displays text, graphics, and video as monitor (display soft copies (copies that can be seen only on screen). screen) A special circuit board in the system unit that contains the central processing unit, the memory (RAM) chips, and the slots available for expansion cards; all of the other boards (video cards, sound motherboard cards, and so on) connect to it to receive power and to communicate.
A hardware device used to enter user responses and commands mouse into a computer.
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N
A computing device that runs a full-featured operating system but netbook that weighs two pounds or less.
An expansion card that enables a computer to connect other network interface computers or to a cable modem to facilitate a high-speed Internet card (NIC) connection.
A printer that sprays ink or uses laser beams to make marks on the paper. The most common nonimpact printers are inkjet and nonimpact printer laser printers.
Permanent storage, as in read-only memory (ROM). nonvolatile storage
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O
The system software that controls the way in which a computer operating system system functions, including the management of hardware, (OS) peripherals, and software.
A hardware device that uses lasers or light to read from, and even optical drive write to, CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.
A mouse that uses an internal sensor or laser to control the mouse’s movement. The sensor sends signals to the computer, optical mouse telling it where to move the pointer on the screen. organic light- Displays that use organic compounds to produce light when emitting diode exposed to an electric current. Unlike LCDs, OLEDs do not require (OLED) displays a backlight to function and therefore draw less power and have a much thinner display, sometimes as thin as 3 mm.
A device that sends processed data and information out of a computer in the form of text, pictures (graphics), sounds (audio), output device or video.
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P
1015 bytes of digital information. petabyte (PB)
A device such as a monitor, printer, or keyboard that connects to peripheral device the system unit through a data port.
A single point that creates the images on a computer monitor. Pixels are illuminated by an electron beam that passes rapidly pixel back and forth across the back of the screen so that the pixels appear to glow continuously.
A large printer that uses a computer-controlled pen to produce oversize pictures that require precise continuous lines to be drawn, plotter such as maps and architectural plans.
An interface through which external devices are connected to the port computer.
A power supply regulates the wall voltage to the voltages required power supply by computer chips; it’s housed inside the system unit.
A common output device that creates tangible or hard copies of printer text and graphics.
Manipulating or organizing data into information. processing
A device that can project images from your computer onto a wall projector or viewing screen.
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Q
A keyboard that gets its name from the first six letters on the top- QWERTY keyboard left row of alphabetic keys on the keyboard.
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R
The computer’s temporary storage space or short-term memory. random access It’s located in a set of chips on the system unit’s motherboard, and memory (RAM) its capacity is measured in megabytes or gigabytes.
A set of memory chips, located on the motherboard, which stores read-only memory data and instructions that cannot be changed or erased; it holds (ROM) all the instructions the computer needs to start up.
The clearness or sharpness of an image, which is controlled by the resolution number of pixels displayed on the screen.
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S
A type of input device that inputs images into computers. scanner
A low-power mode for electronic devices such as computers that saves electric power consumption and saves the last-used sleep mode settings. When the device is “woken up,” work is resumed more quickly than when cold booting the computer.
A storage device that uses the same kind of memory that flash solid-state drive drives use but that can reach data in only a tenth of the time a (SSD) flash drive requires.
An expansion card that attaches to the motherboard inside the system unit and that enables the computer to produce sounds by sound card providing a connection for the speakers and microphone.
Output devices for sound. speakers
A pen-shaped device used to tap or write on touch-sensitive stylus screens.
A specially designed computer that can perform complex supercomputer calculations extremely rapidly; used in situations in which complex models requiring intensive mathematical calculations are needed (such as weather forecasting or atomic energy research).
A system of speakers set up in such a way that it surrounds an surround-sound entire area (and the people in it) with sound. speaker
The set of programs that enables a computer’s hardware devices and application software to work together; it includes the system software operating system and utility programs.
The metal or plastic case that holds all the physical parts of the computer together, including the computer’s processor (its system unit brains), its memory, and the many circuit boards that help the computer function.
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T
A mobile computer, such as the Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab, integrated into a flat multitouch-sensitive screen. It uses an tablet computer onscreen virtual keyboard, but separate keyboards can be connected via Bluetooth or wires.
A laptop computer designed specifically to work with handwriting- tablet PC recognition technology.
1,099,511,627,776 bytes or 240 bytes. Terabyte (TB)
A printer that works either by melting wax-based ink onto ordinary paper (in a process called thermal wax transfer printing) or by thermal printer burning dots onto specially coated paper (in a process called direct thermal printing).
A high speed input/output port; Thunderbolt 2 provides two Thunderbolt port channels of 20 Gbps capacity on one port.
A small, touch-sensitive screen at the base of a laptop keyboard touch pad that’s used to direct the cursor. (trackpad)
A type of monitor (or display in a smartphone or tablet computer) touch screen that accepts input from a user touching the screen.
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U
A full-featured but lightweight laptop computer that features a low-power processor and a solid-state drive; it tries to reduce its ultrabook size and weight to extend battery life without sacrificing performance.
A port that can connect a wide variety of peripheral devices to the universal serial bus computer, including keyboards, printers, mice, smartphones, (USB) port external hard drives, flash drives, and digital cameras.
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V
An expansion card that’s installed inside a system unit to translate video card (video binary data (the 1s and 0s the computer uses) into the images adapter) viewed on the monitor. video graphics A port to which a cathode ray tube monitor connects. array (VGA) port Temporary storage, such as in random access memory. When the volatile storage power is off, the data in volatile storage is cleared out.
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W
The process of restarting the system while it’s powered on. warm boot
A small camera that sits on top of a computer monitor (connected to the computer by a cable) or that’s built into a laptop computer webcam and is usually used to transfer live video.
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