IBMIT (CompTIA): Module 1 - Laptops & Mobile Devices Glossary

Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED)

A display technology using self-luminous organic materials.

Alternating Current (AC)

An electrical current that reverses direction periodically.

Bluetooth

A wireless technology that enables short-range communication and data exchange between electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and headphones.

Burn-in

Permanent damage on a display caused by static images.

Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL)

A light source used in older LCDs.

Circuit board

A flat panel that holds electronic components and connections.

Compatibility

The ability of devices or software to work together.

Compatibility mode

A software mode that simulates older systems for compatibility.

Configuration

The arrangement or settings of hardware or software.

Controller chip

A microchip that directs the functions of a device or component.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The main processor in a computer that executes instructions.

Data migration

The process of transferring data from one system or storage device to another, typically to upgrade to a new system or to consolidate data.

Data transfer rate

Refers to the speed at which digital data is transmitted between two devices or locations. This measurement is usually expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per second (Bps), indicating how much data can be transmitted over a given period.

Double Data Rate (DDR)

A type of high-speed computer memory.

Diagnostic tests

Tools used to identify hardware or software issues.

Digitizer

A device converting analog signals to digital data.

Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)

A type of memory module used in computers.

Direct Current (DC)

A type of electrical current that flows in one direction, typically produced by batteries, power supplies, or renewable energy sources such as solar cells.

Display resolution

The total number of pixels on a screen.

Docking station

A device that provides additional ports and features to a computer.

Drivers

Software enabling communication between hardware and operating system.

Electromagnetic Resonance (EMR)

A technique for detecting pen input using magnetic fields.

Encryption

The process of encoding data for security purposes.

Ethernet

A widely-used wired networking technology.

External hard drive

A portable storage device for data.

Firmware

Embedded software that controls a device's hardware.

Flash memory

A non-volatile storage technology that retains data without power.

Form factor

The physical size and shape of a device or component.

Gigahertz (GHz)

A unit measuring frequency in billions of cycles per second.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A specialized processor for rendering graphics.

Graphics tablet

An input device for drawing or writing with a stylus.

Haptic feedback

Tactile sensations generated by a device.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A data storage device using spinning magnetic disks.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

A digital interface that enables the transmission of high-quality audio and video data between electronic devices such as televisions, computers, and gaming consoles.

Image retention

Temporary screen artifacts from displaying static images.

Infrared

Electromagnetic radiation that is used for wireless communication and sensing.

Inverter

A device converting direct current to alternating current.

In-Plane Switching (IPS)

A type of LCD with wide viewing angles and accurate colors.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

A flat-panel display using liquid crystals to modulate light.

Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

An electronic component that emits light by passing a current through a semiconductor material.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion)

A rechargeable battery type that is used in many electronic devices.

Lithium-ion Polymer (LiPo)

A lightweight, flexible variant of Li-ion batteries.

M.2

A smaller, faster, more expensive SSD that connects directly to a motherboard via an M.2 slot with storage capacities that range from 128 GB to over 2 TB.

Micro Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)

A compact memory module used in small devices.

Microphone

A device converting sound waves into electrical signals.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that connects computer components.

Native resolution

The optimal display resolution for a screen.

Near-Field Communication (NFC)

A short-range wireless technology for communication between devices.

Non-volatile memory

Storage retaining data when power is off.

Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED)

A self-luminous display technology using organic materials.

Optical imaging

A technique that captures images using light.

Operating System (OS)

The software managing a computer's resources and tasks.

Passive stylus

A simple, non-powered pen for touchscreens.

Port replicator

A device that expands the number of available ports.

Projected Capacitive

A touchscreen technology enabling multi-touch input.

Projector

An electronic device that displays images or videos onto a surface by projecting the images or video through a lens or other optical system.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile memory used for short-term data storage in computers.

Read/write head

A component in HDDs that reads and writes data on magnetic disks.

Refresh rate

Refers to the number of times per second that the screen updates the image it is displaying. This measurement is typically expressed in hertz (Hz) and indicates how often the display can refresh the image, resulting in a smoother and more fluid motion.

Resistive

A type of touchscreen technology responding to pressure.

Red, Green, Blue (RGB)

A color model which uses red, green, and blue to produce other colors.

Serial ATA (SATA)

A standard interface for connecting storage devices.

Sensors

Devices detecting and responding to physical or environmental changes.

Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)

A type of RAM synchronized with a computer's system clock.

Sound card

A computer component processing and outputting audio signals.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A fast, non-volatile storage device with no moving parts.

Stylus

A pen-like tool for interacting with touchscreens.

Sync

The process of aligning or updating data across devices.

Thin Film Transistor (TFT)

A display technology using thin-film transistors in LCD panels.

Touch pen

A device for interacting with touchscreens, often with pressure sensitivity.

Trackpad

A touch-sensitive surface for controlling a computer's cursor.

Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve (TRRS)

A type of audio connector with four conductive parts.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A standard interface for connecting devices and transferring data.

Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C)

A reversible, high-speed USB connector type.

Viewing angles

The range of angles from which a display can be viewed.

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

A device providing wireless network connectivity.

Webcam

A camera for capturing video and images that is often used in video conferencing.

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-fi)

A wireless networking technology for connecting devices to the internet.

Wi-fi adapter

A device enabling wireless connectivity for computers.