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The 2nd storage controller type is a secondary circuit board that manages the flow of information between computers and peripheral devices.
Back to topBus speed, measured in megahertz, is the rate at which the CPU communicates with the memory and motherboard, over a series of wires.
Back to topa circuit board used to control a peripheral device which is contained on the motherboard or a plug in card.
Back to topDiagonal screen size is the measure from bottom corner to opposite top corner of the viewable screen of a device.
Back to topHard drive capacity, measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB), refers to a computer’s available storage size.
Back to topA hard drive interface facilitates communication between a hard disk and a computer.
Types
IDE: The Integrated Drive Electronics interface, based on a 16-bit bus standard, facilitates communication between the motherboard’s data paths or bus and the disk storage devices.
EIDE: The Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics interface facilitates communication between the computer and its mass storage drives, provides faster access to the hard drive, and offers support for Direct Memory Access (DMA) and additional drives, including CD-ROM and tape devices.
SATA: The Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, based on serial signaling technology, facilitates communication between hard drives and computer systems.
SCSI: The Small Computer System Interface, developed by Apple, facilitates communication between personal computers and external hardware such as disk drives, tape drives, CD-ROM drives, printers, and scanners.
Installed memory, measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB), regulates the amount of data a device can store.
Back to topA keyboard and mouse are peripheral devices, sometimes included with a computer system.
Mouse Types
Standard: This mouse operates with a rubber or metal track ball underneath to roll in all directions.
Optical: This mouse operates with a laser to detect movement.
Wireless: This mouse uses radio frequency technology to transmit information to the computer.
Level 2 Cache is the fastest type of RAM available, located on a separate chip from the computer’s microprocessor for easier and quicker accessibility.
Back to topThe maximum cache supported by a laptop refers to the largest amount of high-speed RAM allotted to a computer.
Back to topMaximum supported RAM is the maximum upgradable memory supported by the motherboard.
Back to topMaximum resolution, measured in pixels, refers to the highest quality of video a device can display.
Back to topA memory card slot reads removable memory cards compatible with portable devices.
Back to topA modem is a device that facilitates internet connection via telephone line.
Types
Analog Modem: An analog modem takes audio and video signals and converts them into electronic pulses, sending data over telephone networks as a series of tones.
Digital Modem: A digital modem breaks audio and video signals into binary code (a series of ones and zeroes), transfers the signals, and then converts them back to the original signal, allowing more information transfer than an analog modem.
CRT:Cathode Ray Tube, used in most televisions and computer monitors
Flat CRT: Same as CRT, but the actual screen is flat rather than rounded.
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display, usually used in notebooks and flat screens monitors.
TFT: Thin Film Transistor, a type of LCD that allows for better resolution by controlling each pixel with 1 to 4 transistors.
The motherboard chipset regulates processor and RAM compatibility and the speed at which they function.
Types
Intel: This type of chipset offers compatibility with Intel Pentium and Intel Celeron processors.
Via: This type of chipset offers compatibility with Pentium 4, AMD Athlon XP, and AMD Duron processors.
nVidia: This type of chipset offers compatibility with AMD XP and AMD Duron processors.
SiS: This type of chipset offers compatibility with Pentium 4, AMD Athlon XP, and AMD Duron processors.
Ethernet: 10BaseT connection that transfers at 10 Mbps
Fast Ethernet: 100BaseT connection that transfers at 100 Mbps
Gigabit Ethernet: 1000BaseT connection that transfers at a 1Gbps rate.
IEEE 1394: Allows tranfers from 800 Mbps to 3,200 Mpbs and is compatible with glass, fiber and cat5 cable.
Bluetooth: Wireless network connection with 720 kbps transfer rate at a range of 10 -100 meters.
802.11b: Wireless connection with a transfer rate of11 Mbps in a 2.4 Ghz band.
802.11a: Wireless connection with a transfer rate of 54 Mbps in a 5 Ghz band.
A network is a link between two or more computers to facilitate file transfer.
Types
Ethernet: This 10BaseT connection transfers data at a rate of 10Mbps.
Fast Ethernet: This 100BaseT connection transfers data at a rate of 100Mbps.
Gigabit Ethernet: This 1000BaseT connection transfers data at a rate of 1Gbps.
IEEE 1394: This connection transfers data at a rate ranging from 800Mpbs to 3,200Mbps and offers compatibility with glass, fiber, and cat5 cable.
Bluetooth: This wireless connection transfers data at a rate of 720 Kbps at a range of 10-100 meters.
802.11b: This wireless connection transfers data at a rate of 11Mbps in a 2.4GHz band.
802.11a: This wireless connection transfers data at a rate of 54Mbps in a 5GHz band.
An operating system is the software that controls and manages the hardware, basic system operations, and application software of a computer.
Back to topAn operating system is the software that controls and manages the hardware, basic system operations, and application software of a computer.
Types
Linux: Linux is a free operating system, similar to Unix, which runs on multiple hardware platforms, including PC and Macintosh computers.
Unix: Unix is one of the first, powerful operating systems written in a high-level programming language (C) and can be installed on almost any computer.
Peripheral devices include a monitor, printer, and speakers, and may or may not be included with a computer system.
Back to topProcessor speed, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz) per second, describes the rate at which a computer performs basic functions and runs applications.
Back to topThe processor, short for Central Processing Unit (CPU), serves as the brains of a computer.
Back to topRAM is the Random Access Memory, or the memory compatible with the motherboard, available in a device.
Types
DDR: Double Data Rate RAM transfers data on both sides of the clock signal, doubling the transmission rate.
RDRAM: Rambus Dynamic RAM, designed by Rambus, features a bandwidth of 1.6 GB/s.
SDRAM: Synchronous Dynamic RAM synchronizes with the CPU bus for data transfer of up to 133 MHz.
DRAM: Dynamic RAM stores each bit of memory in a different capacitor.
EDO: Extended Data Out Dynamic RAM, rather than transferring data one block at a time, is capable of transferring multiple blocks at once.
1/8 in. Stereo Mini: A mini stero plug similar to 1/4 in. Most common in portable audio devices and computer sound cards.
CRT: Cathode Ray Tube screens use three tubes to process red, green, and blue colors separately, and then mix them together to display the full image.
Flat CRT: Flat Cathode Ray Tube screens display in the same manner as standard CRT screens, but are flat rather than round.
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display screens contain crystals that work like shutters, allowing light to pass through.
TFT: Thin Film Transistor monitors control each pixel of an image with one to four transistors.
A sound card is an expansion board that facilitates communication between computer and speakers to produce sound.
Types
PCI: The Peripheral Component Interconnect, which requires three to five slots on the motherboard, supports both 32-bit and 64-bit data paths and runs at a speed of 33MHz or 66MHz.
ISA: The Industry Standard Architecture refers to the original PC bus architecture.
A sound card is an expansion board that facilitates communication between computer and speakers to produce sound.
Back to topBare Bones: This system type usually consists of a case, motherboard, CPU and RAM only.
Personal Computer (PC): This system type usually consists of a case, motherboard, CPU, RAM, multiple drives, and may or may not include a keyboard and monitor.
Network Storage Server: This system type allows for large information storage, system backups, and data archiving.
Server: This system type manages network resources and file storage, and can accept connections from multiple clients.
Terminal Station: This system type allows multiple users to connect to a single system for desktop applications and web use.
A video card interface is a connector that facilitates file transfer between a video card and a computer.
Types
AGP: The Accelerated Graphics Port, developed by Intel, uses a 32-bit bus to provide direct connection between card and memory.
AGP 1x: The Accelerated Graphics Port 1x transfers data at a rate of 264Mbps.
AGP 2x: The Accelerated Graphics Port 2x transfers data at a rate of 528Mbps.
AGP 4x: The Accelerated Graphics Port 4x transfers data at a rate of 1Gbps.
AGP 8x: The Accelerated Graphics Port 8x transfers data at a rate of 2Gbps.
PCI: The Peripheral Component Interconnect, which requires three to five slots on the motherboard, supports both 32-bit and 64-bit data paths and runs at a speed of 33MHz or 66MHz.
ISA: The Industry Standard Architecture refers to the original PC bus architecture.
A video card serves as an interface between the CPU and the computer monitor by processing the data for display.
Back to topA screen's maximum resolution measured in pixels.
VGA: 640 X 480 Pixels
SVGA: 800 X 600 Pixels
XGA: 1024 X 768 Pixels
SXGA: 1280 X 1024 Pixels
UXGA: 1600 X 1200 Pixels
QXGA: 2048X 1536 Pixels
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