Investigating Technology ITEC 1001 – Chapter 6 Computer Hardware

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major terms and concepts from Chapter 6 of Investigating Technology ITEC 1001, including computer types, components, storage, ports, networking, processors, and ergonomic considerations.

Computer

A digital device that accepts input, processes data into information, stores data, and provides output.

Four Basic Computing Functions

Input, Process, Output, and Store—together called the IPO(S) cycle.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system such as processor, memory, storage, ports, and peripherals.

Software

The virtual components of a computer system, including the operating system and application programs.

System Unit

The part of a computer housing the motherboard; also called the tower or chassis.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that holds the CPU and other essential components.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The computer’s main microprocessor; performs most calculations and controls other components.

Input Device

Hardware that sends data to a computer, e.g., keyboard, camera, microphone.

Output Device

Hardware that presents information from a computer, e.g., monitor, speakers, printer.

Storage

Hardware or media that saves data for future use, even when power is off.

Laptop

A mobile, clamshell computer with integrated keyboard and full operating system.

Desktop

A stationary computer consisting of a separate system unit and peripherals; easily upgradable.

All-in-One Computer

A desktop-class device where the computer components are built into a large monitor.

Tablet

A highly mobile, touchscreen computer; hardware and RAM usually non-upgradable.

2-in-1 Computer

A convertible device combining tablet mobility with laptop power and a full OS.

Embedded Computer

A computer integrated into a larger device, running a real-time OS (RTOS).

Smartphone

A hand-held computer with cellular networking, touchscreen, cameras, and mobile apps.

Portable Media Player (PMP)

Device for playing audio, video, and e-books; now includes streaming boxes like Apple TV.

Server

A networked computer providing shared resources; includes network, web, and file servers.

Network Server

Controls access to printers, apps, and other resources on a local network.

Web Server

Delivers web pages and related resources over the Internet.

File Server

Stores and manages data files for network users.

Client-Server Architecture

Model where always-on servers provide services to intermittently connected clients.

Mainframe Computer

Very powerful system used by large organizations to process massive data sets.

Supercomputer

The most powerful computer type, handling complex, data-intensive scientific tasks.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

CPU component that performs mathematical and logical operations.

Control Unit

CPU component that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions.

Machine Cycle

The CPU steps: Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store.

Clock Speed

Number of instructions the CPU can process per second, measured in Hertz.

Overclocking

Running a CPU faster than manufacturer specifications, risking heat and voided warranty.

Single-Core Processor

CPU with one processing core (one ALU and one control unit).

Multicore Processor

CPU containing two or more processing cores to improve performance.

Hyperthreading

Technology allowing a multicore CPU to execute multiple instruction threads simultaneously.

Intel

Largest processor manufacturer, founded in 1968.

AMD

Processor and graphics company known for chips in gaming consoles; founded 1969.

Nvidia

Company producing GPUs and mobile processors like Tegra K1; founded 1993.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile main memory available to programs; cleared when power is off.

Cache

High-speed memory on or near the CPU used for frequently accessed data.

Memory Cache (L1 – L3)

CPU-adjacent cache levels; L1 is smallest/fastest, L3 larger/slower.

Disk Cache

High-speed memory on a hard drive for frequently accessed data blocks.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile storage with manufacturer-installed data such as boot instructions.

Storage Device

Hardware that saves data long-term, e.g., hard drives, SSDs, USB drives.

Internal Storage

Built-in primary storage of a computer, usually the hard drive or SSD.

External Storage

Removable or outside-the-case storage like external HDDs, USB flash drives, microSD.

Hard Drive

Primary magnetic storage device using spinning platters; also called hard disk.

Hard Drive Capacity

Amount of data a hard drive can store, measured in GB or TB.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

All-electronic storage with no moving parts; fast, efficient, durable, costlier.

SSD Capacity

Storage size of an SSD, typically measured in gigabytes.

Kilobyte (KB)

≈1 000 bytes; roughly one page of text.

Megabyte (MB)

≈1 000 000 bytes; about 875 pages of text.

Gigabyte (GB)

≈1 000 000 000 bytes; stores ~341 3-MB images.

Terabyte (TB)

≈1 000 GB; stores ~40 single-sided Blu-ray discs.

Petabyte (PB)

≈1 000 TB; about 42 000 single-sided Blu-ray discs.

Port

A receptacle on a device designed for a specific connector type.

Connector

Specialized end of a cable or card that plugs into a port.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

Standard connector/port supplying data and power; supports flash drives.

HDMI

High-Definition Multimedia Interface for transmitting HD audio and video.

Ethernet

Wired networking port; CAT5/CAT5e/CAT6 cables offer 100 Mb/s to 10 Gb/s.

Lightning Connector

Apple 8-pin reversible connector for data and power on iOS devices.

VGA Connector

Analog video connector used for monitors/TVs in the 1990s; largely replaced by HDMI.

3.5 mm Audio Jack

Small analog audio connector with 2–5 contacts for headphones and speakers.

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface for connecting electronic instruments to computers.

Wireless Port

Interface using radio/light waves (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared) for short-range data transfer.

Bluetooth

Short-distance wireless technology operating up to ~35 ft with 2.4 GHz radio.

Infrared Port

Line-of-sight wireless link often used in TV remotes.

Protocol

Set of rules governing data transmission between devices.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol—the foundation of data communication on the web.

HTTPS

HTTP Secure; encrypts HTTP messages for secure web communication.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol ensuring reliable data delivery on networks.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol offering faster but less reliable transmission than TCP.

Wi-Fi

Wireless LAN technology (802.11) using 2.4 GHz/5 GHz radio; hotspots provide access.

Pixel

Smallest element of a digital image, usually red + green + blue sub-dots.

Resolution

Number of horizontal and vertical pixels; more pixels equals sharper images.

Bit

Binary digit (0 or 1); smallest data unit a computer processes.

Byte

Eight bits grouped together, representing a character or value.

Word Size

Amount of data a CPU processes at once, typically 32 or 64 bits.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Specialized processor that creates and manipulates images and video.

Video Card

Expansion card (graphics adapter) housing the GPU to deliver video output.

Boot Process

Sequence that loads an operating system: activate BIOS, POST, load OS to RAM, apply settings.

Bus Width

Number of bits transmitted simultaneously across a bus; affects processor speed.

Hertz (Hz)

Unit measuring frequency; one cycle per second.

Megahertz (MHz)

One million cycles (instructions) per second.

Gigahertz (GHz)

One billion cycles (instructions) per second.

Ergonomics

Study of human interaction with objects; in computing, fitting hardware to the user.

Ergonomic Workstation

Workspace setup with monitor slightly below eye level, straight-wrist keyboard, upright chair.

Touchscreen

Display sensitive to finger or stylus input, found in phones, tablets, ATMs.

Projective Capacitive Touchscreen

Touch panel using a sensor grid and voltage changes to detect multi-finger gestures.

Optical Drive

Device that reads/writes CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs; often omitted in SSD laptops.