Parts of a computer
What are the two major "thinking" parts of a computer and what is the difference?
CPU (central processing unit) - very fast, can do a few tasks simultaneously
GPU (graphics processing unit) - has many cores which can do a lot of simpler tasks simultaneously
Name the three major things computers do.
Input, processing, output
The middle category can be divided into processing information and storing information.
Give an example of a multi-user computer.
Mainframe, supercomputer, server, workstation (when shared by many people like in a library or computer lab)
What is a network?
A system that links 2+ computers.
Words, numbers, pictures, sounds, etc.
What do RAM and ROM stand for and what is the difference?
RAM (random access memory) - volatile memory (like short term memory), is lost when a device is turned off
ROM (read-only memory) - non-volatile memory, cannot be changed, is not lost when a device is turned off, contains start-up information
Give three examples of pointing devices (these are a category of input devices).
Mouse, trackpad, stylus, touch screen, clicker, etc.
Name for a portable computer.
Laptop, Chromebook, tablet, etc.
Name the 3 essential components of a network.
Hardware, software, and people (users)
What is binary?
On or off, 0 or 1, true or false, yes or no, etc.
What are the two major types of internal storage devices and what is the difference?
HDD (hard disk drive) - uses platters and magnets to store information, has moving parts and is vulnerable to drops, slower and uses more power
SSD (solid state drive) - no moving parts, uses circuits to store information, less vulnerable to drops, faster and uses less power
Give 3 examples of input devices that are not "pointing devices."
Microphone, camera, scanner, keyboard, etc.
Give an example of a single-user computer.
Personal computer, workstation
LAN stands for...
WAN stands for...
Local Area Network
Wide Area Network
What is the name for the smallest piece of information a computer deals with? What is the name for a group of these pieces and how many is in this group?
Bit - smallest piece of information
Byte - group of 8 bits
What connects the internal components of a computer?
The components plug into buses on the motherboard.
Bonus: Ports connect external peripherals to the computer.
Give 3 examples of output devices.
Display, speakers, rumble (controller), printer, etc.
Give an example of an embedded computer.
Car dashboard, smart appliances for the home (refrigerator, thermostat), etc.
These are used to enhance consumer goods.
What is a characteristic/feature of a LAN?
They share peripherals (printers, servers, etc.).
How many bytes in a kilobyte? What do MB, GB, and TB stand for?
1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte
MB - megabyte
GB - gigabyte
TB - terabyte
What are the two types of cooling and what is an advantage of each?
Fan/air cooling - advantage: cheaper, disadvantage: less efficient, louder
Liquid cooling - advantage: more effective at cooling, disadvantage: more expensive, harder to install
Braille device
These types of computers have sensors to measure and/or control the physical environment
Special-purpose computers
Give 3 examples of network hardware
Cables, router, modem
What is the term for how fast a computer processes information? What units is it measured in?
Clock speed measured in Hertz (Hz)