CompTIA A+ Practice Exam - Laptops, Printers, Wi-Fi

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the CompTIA A+ Practice Exam covering laptops, printers, and Wi-Fi.

Laptop Inverter

A component that converts DC power to provide voltage to LCD screens.

OLED

A laptop screen type that offers better color accuracy compared to TN.

SSD (Solid State Drive)

A common component replaced to upgrade laptop performance.

Inverter failure

Usually occurs when a laptop screen is very dim but still visible with a light.

SATA SSD

A type of storage device that is faster than HDD.

SO-DIMM

The type of memory typically found in laptops.

Docking Station

A device that expands connectivity options for laptops.

Ribbon Cable

The part that connects a laptop keyboard to the motherboard.

HDMI or USB-C

Ports used for external monitors on modern laptops.

Li-ion battery

The most common battery type used in laptops today.

IPS panel technology

Provides the widest viewing angles in laptop displays.

USB-C/Thunderbolt Dock

A device that allows laptops to charge and connect external displays using a single connector.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

The part of a laptop that controls wireless communication.

OLED display technology

Uses self-lighting pixels to produce images.

GPU Switching (Optimus)

Feature allowing laptops to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics.

SATA cable

The type of cable used to connect an internal laptop hard drive.

Hybrid laptop

A laptop with a detachable tablet component.

Function key (Fn)

Disables keyboard input temporarily in laptops.

BIOS/UEFI firmware

Manages hardware initialization in laptops.

CMOS battery

Stores the BIOS settings when laptop power is off.

Fuser

The component that fuses toner onto paper in a laser printer.

Inkjet printer

A printer type that sprays tiny droplets of ink onto paper.

Drum (in laser printing)

Transfers toner to the paper during the printing process.

Transfer Roller

The part of a laser printer that transfers toner to the paper.

Duplexer

A device in a printer that enables double-sided printing.

Clogged nozzles

Affects the print head component in an inkjet printer.

Toner cartridge

The printer part that contains powdered ink in laser printers.

Replace fuser

Maintenance action taken if ghosting appears on printouts.

Pickup rollers

Component that needs cleaning or replacing if multiple sheets feed at once.

Inkjet printer

Best type of printer for high-volume color photo printing.

Fuser assembly

Applies the final high heat in a laser printer.

Impact/Dot matrix printer

Printer type that uses a ribbon and is often used for multi-part forms.

Thermal paper

The primary consumable in thermal printers.

USB cable

Type of cable that might connect a local desktop printer to a PC.

Printer driver

Software that translates a print job into printer-specific language.

DPI setting

Printer setting that adjusts print quality versus speed.

Calibrate a color printer

Done to ensure correct color output.

802.11ac

Wi-Fi standard that operates only on the 5 GHz band and offers up to 1 Gbps.

802.11b

Wi-Fi standard that operates only on 2.4 GHz and offers a maximum of 11 Mbps.

600 Mbps

The maximum speed of 802.11n under ideal conditions.

MU-MIMO

A technology that allows multiple inputs and outputs, introduced by 802.11ac.

5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands

Used by the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard.

802.11ac

First Wi-Fi standard to support speeds over 1 Gbps.

802.11ax

Wi-Fi standard that introduced WPA3 security by default.

802.11ax

Wi-Fi standard that uses OFDMA to split channels into subchannels.

802.11g vs 802.11n

High speed and support for 5GHz band are the major differences.

Wi-Fi extender/repeater

Device that boosts a wireless signal without needing a cable run.

Microwave ovens, cordless phones

Examples of devices that can cause Wi-Fi signal interference at 2.4 GHz.

Wi-Fi mesh network

A network purposefully designed for broader coverage.

DHCP

Protocol that provides automatic IP addresses over Wi-Fi.

WPA2

Wi-Fi security method that encrypts networks using a password.

Wireless access point

Device that connects wireless clients to a wired network.

WPA2

Strongest encryption protocol for Wi-Fi compared to WEP or WPA.

2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz

2.4 GHz is better for long-distance Wi-Fi use.

5 GHz

Less crowded frequency in urban areas for Wi-Fi.

Interference and congestion

Occurs if two wireless routers are set to the same channel.

Up to 8 spatial streams

The number of spatial streams available in 802.11ax.