A+ 220-1201 Core 1: Hardware

Domain 3. Focused on identifying, using, and connecting hardware components like motherobards, processors, memory, storage, and exapnsion cards. Compare and contrast display components and attributes. Summarize basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes. Compare and contrast RAM Characteristics. Compare and contrast storage devices.

What makes a computer a computer?

Or what are the basic functions of a computer?

A device performing input, processing, storage and output

Where is data typically stored within a computer?

RAM or harddrive

Computer functions are typically performed by what part of the computer?

The central processing unit

There are several categories of computers. 

Workstations, servers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart devices, and IoT Devices. 

Please describe the differences between them

Workstations - desktop PCs with tower cases or all in once designs 

Servers: rack mounted systems hosting services 

Tablets, touchscreen devices running an OS without need for peripherals 

IoT Devices, network-conencted devices like smart regerators or light bulbsD

The essential component types of computers include hardware, software, and firmware.

Describe what software and firmware may consist of

Software would consist of the OS, application softwares, and drivers for hardware communication

Whereas firmware is software embedded in hardware. Firmware controls hardware functions and is updated via flashing. “Software on a chip”