Unit 2 - btec comp

fundamentals of computer systems

what is a multi-functional device

a device that is designed for multiple users to perform different functions on the device at the same time

what are personal computers

powerful computers designed for individual users for work or for home to perform a variety of tasks

what are mobile devices

devices designed for portability

what are servers

devices on a network that provides some kind of service for the clients on the network like allowing them to retrieve and store data or hosting a website or application

what components are in a personal computer(6)

• motherboard

• processor

• memory

• disk drives

• expansion cards

• ports

list the factors that affect the performance of internal components

• performance

• availability

• environmental concerns

• cost

• compatibility

• customisation

what is an input device

a device/peripheral that takes data into the computer system

what is an output device

a device/peripheral that outputs data from the computer system

what is a storage device

a storage device is a device that stores data

what does non-volatile mean

a type of storage that stores data temporarily, so will be stored even once the computer has shut down

what is volatile memory

a type of storage that only stores data in the short term, whilst the computer is still running but once the comp

what is RAM

a form of volatile storage that stores data that the processor is currently using.

what is ROM

a form of non-volatile memory that stores the basic instructions for the computer to be able to function on it. it can not be edited or changed in any way by the user (hence “read only”)

what is SSD(solid state drive)

it is a form of non-volatile storage that works by having a web of interconnected cells that form data. 

what are the advantages of SSDs

• it has no moving parts so is durable

• it is very compact so can fit in almost all devices

• it has fast read and write speeds

what are the disadvantages of SSDs

• it can be expensive

what is HDD(hard disk drive)

it is a form of storage that works by having a few spinning disks that have data stored on them by a read and write head that will magnetize sections of the disk to represent ones and zeros that can then be retrieved

what are the advantages of HDDs

• it has a large storage capacity

• they are cost effective

what are the disadvantages of HDDs

• sue to the moving parts it has limited durability

• it has a slow read and write speed

what are optical discs