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Basic Computer Parts
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Expansion Slots | Used to plug in additional circuit boards to your computer to either add or improve functionality. |
Parallel processing | Provides the ability to execute multiple instructions at the same time. |
Gigahertz | CPU clock speed measurement which is 1 billion cycles per second. |
Biometric scanner | Used to identify people by individual human characteristics such as fingerprints, iris or voice pattern. |
OLED - Organic Light Emitting Diode | May eventually replace LCD display screens as they do not require backlighting, making them far more energy efficient for any device that runs off battery power. |
Resolution | The number of picture elements, called pixels, that make up the image shown in the display screen. |
Thermal printer | Produce output by heating coated paper as the paper passes over the print head. Typically receipts. |
Plotter | Moves one or more pens across the surface of the paper to produce a drawing. Typically blueprints and technical drawings. |
Network adapter | Any device used to connect a computer to a network. Is the interface between your computer and the other networking equipment. |
Protocols | A set of rules that define how data is exchanged between two devices. |
Byte | A group of 8 bits that represents one character. |
SSD - Solid State Drive | A newer type of hard disk technology increasingly being used in portable computers. |
Flash memory | Chip-based technology where data is stored electronically on a chip instead of magnetically like a traditional HDD. |
Optical disc | A CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc. |
Data buses | Wires allowing data to travel between the components on the motherboard to the CPU and memory. |
Motherboard | The main circuit board in the computer. |
Instruction cycle | The CPU retrieving, decoding, executing and storing an instruction. |
QR - Quick response codes | A type of barcode that looks like a matrix of black square dots. |
Wi-Fi adapter | Communicates with a wireless access point or wireless router using radio frequencies to transfer data. |
802.11 protocol | The name of the standard developed to facilitate wireless communication among several hardware providers. |