Chapter 3
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Multiple cores are always located on separate chips – False
A core is a – processing unit
One limiting factor for how much performance improvement multicore processors provide is –
software design
Multicore processors speed up computer tasks by – dividing the work among multiple
processors
Devices that can have wireless communications capabilities include – laptop computers, gaming
devices, smartphones
This is wireless technology for shorter range communications – Bluetooth
The term used for wi-fi enabled locations is a – hotspot
A cabling technology is under development that could deliver communications at speeds
roughly 1000 times faster than technology available today – False
One of the three technologies that touchscreen technologies today may be based on is –
measuring varying amounts of electrical resistance
Multi-touch screens sense – multiple, simultaneous touches
This determines the position of the touch and converts it into the XY coordinate information – a
controller circuit
A touchscreen always has a transparent touch-sensitive panel overlaying a video screen – True
A significant increase in RAM can – increase the speed of your computer
A front side bus connects – your computer processor and system devices
Sometimes older software can cause your computer to slow down because it – can’t take
advantage of newer processor capabilities
Clock speed is measured in terrhertz – False
What software program needs to be installed for a new device to become usable – device driver
A device driver program that guides you through the installation process is often referred to as a
– wizard
If you do not have your computer’s set up CD or DVD, where is the best place to find the correct
device drivers – manufacturer’s support website
Updates to your system devices are often referred to as a driver or ____ updates – firmware
According to silverman, what is the most important component to “future proof” the traditional
PC – upgradable memory
What is the downside to computers lasting longer than they used to – NONE OF THE ABOVE –
less innovation in new computers, fewer improvements in multimedia devices, decreased ability
to manipulate content
According to silverman, smart phones and tablets have a shorter lifespan than traditional PC’s
because – tablets and smartphones are rapidly increasing their capabilities
Silverman predicts it will be at least another ___ years before we begin to see the smart phone
an tablet market slow down or mature – 5 to 6
A digital device – uses symbolic representations of data in the form of code
This is a type of peripheral device that is used for input – keyboard
Which of the following is NOT included on the motherboard – power supply
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A mouse is known as a ____ device that is able to detect motion in relation to the surface and
provides an onscreen pointer representing motion – pointing
Type of ports include – serial ports, USB, FireWire, and IrDA
BIOS stands for – basic input/output system
One of the advantages of using computers over a device, such as a typewriter, is that computers
allow users to store information and edit and update information. Types of storage media
include all of the following except – USB ports
An output device is any device that displays, prints, or plays content stored on a computer. From
the list below, identify the device that would be considered an output device – speaker
The speed of a processor is measured in – gigahertz
Gordon Moore, founder of Intel, created Moore’s Law, which states that – the number of
transistors on a chip will increase in an exponential manner with corresponding increases in
processing speed and memory capacity
The average computer’s hard drive capacity for data storage is measured in – gigabytes
_____ is an operating system that is available both in a free version and in flavours that you can
purchase – Linux
Definitions
Monitor – a visual output device used to view the interface and data on a computer or other device
Access speed – the speed at which your computer can retrieve data from RAM
Processor speed – the speed at which your computer interprets and carries out instructions that
operate the computer and its devices
Expansion card – a device inserted on the computer motherboard that adds capabilities such as
sound, graphics handling, or network communications
Microphone – a device used to input audio
BIOS – code that checks and starts up computer devices such as memory, monitor, keyboard, and
disc drives and directs the hard drive to boot up and load the operating system (OS) to memory
Motherboard – the primary circuit board on computer that holds the CPU, BIOS, memory, and
expansion cards
Plotter – an output device used to print large blueprints and other design or engineering documents
Megahertz – a measurement of RAM access speed; one megahertz is approximately one million
cycles per second
Serial port – a port, built into the computer, used to connect a peripheral device to the serial bus,
typically by means of a plug with 9 pins
Input – data entered into a computer via a variety of devices
Output – information that comes out of a computer that can be produced in a variety of formats
Gigahertz – a measurement of processer speed; one gigahertz is approximately one billion cycles per
second
Drive – a device that reads or writes data to storage. Can be integrated into the computer or be
external or removable
SSD – a flash based replacement for an internal hard disk
ROM – permanent, or non-volatile, memory of a computer
RAM – temporary or volatile memory
Flash drive – a port that uses flash memory to store, read, and write data
IRDA – a port that allows you to transfer data from one device to another by using infrared light
waves
Optical drive – an optoelectronic device that detects changes in light caused by the irregularities on
a disc’s surface
System unit – the main part of the computer CPU including the motherboard, processor, and ports
SED – a display technology that uses nanoscopic electron emitters (extremely tiny wires smaller than
human hairs) to send electrons that illuminate a thin screen
LCD – a thin, flat type of monitor
OLED – a display technology that projects light through an electroluminescent (a blue/red/greenemitting) thin film layer made up of organic materials