Section 2 - What is a Computer?
What is a computer?
An electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data.
What is a computer case?
The metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer, such as the motherboard.
Most desktop computers have several ___ ports on both the front and back of the case.
USB ports.
What is the name of the main circuit board that connects to every part of the computer?
The motherboard.
A laptop has a(n) ____ design, with a built-in monitor, keyboard, touchpad, and speakers.
All-in-one.
What is hardware?
The physical structure of a computer, such as the keyboard.
What does a monitor do?
A monitor works with a video card to display images and text on the screen.
Where is the power socket located?
The back of the computer case.
What is your system’s short-term memory?
RAM
Laptops tend to have ____ ports than desktops.
Fewer.
What is the purpose of a server?
A server stores and sends information to other computers.
What is the name for the keys labeled f1 through f12 on a keyboard?
The function keys.
Where is the power button located?
The front of the computer case.
What is the long-term storage where your software, documents, and other files are stored?
The hard drive.
What is the main benefit of a laptop’s battery?
It allows you to use the laptop when it’s not plugged in.
What is software?
Any set of instructions that tells hardware what to do and how to do it.
What are the two main mouse types?
Optical and mechanical.
What type of port is used to connect speakers, microphones, or headsets to a computer?
Audio in/Audio out.
What should you add if you want to boost the performance of your computer?
Expansion cards.
What is a laptop’s specialized power cable called?
An AC adapter.
What are three types of computers?
Desktop, laptop, and tablet.
What mouse alternative is commonly found on laptop computers?
The touchpad.
What are devices that can be plugged into the extra ports on a computer called?
Peripherals.
What happens to a system’s short-term memory when the computer is turned off?
It disappears.
How do you turn a laptop into a desktop computer?
You connect a regular mouse, larger monitor, and other peripherals.