1. Describe the four most common types of personal computers.
Desktops (Tower Unit), Laptops (Ultra Books), Tablets (Mini Tablet), Mobile Devices
(Smart Phones)
2. Describe system boards including sockets, chips, chip carriers, slots, and bus lines.
The system board controls communication for the entire computer system. Sockets are
connection points for chips. Chips contain numerous circuits etched on a small wafer of
layers of silicon and other materials. Chip carriers are what the chip is mounted on. Slots
are connection points for specialized cards or circuit boards. Bus lines are connection
points for specialized cards or circuit boards.
3. Discuss microprocessor components, chips, and specialty processors.
The microprocessor component has two components, the control unit and the arithmetic
logic unit. The control unit programs instructions, Directs flow between memory, and the
Arithmetic Logic Unit Directs flow between CPU and I/O devices. The microprocessor
chip capacities are expressed in word size. Multicore chips allow a single computer to run
two or more operations at the same time. Specialty processors are designed to handle
special functions. Coprocessor chips are designed to improve specific computing
operations. Graphic coprocessors and Graphic Processing Units display 3-D images and
encrypt data.
4. Define computer memory including RAM, ROM, and flash memory.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory which are chips that hold programs and data
that are currently being accessed. ROM stands for Read Only Memory. ROM is used for
special instructions such as starting the computer, accessing memory and handling
keyboard input.
5. Define expansion slots, cards, Plug and Play, PC cards, PCMCIA slots, and Express-Card
slots.
Expansion slots are used to insert expansion cards such as Graphics cards, cards that
provide high quality of 3-D graphics. Sound cards, cards that accept audio input from
microphones and convert it into a format that can be processed. Network Interface Cards
(NICs) or Network Adapter Cards attach a user to a network. Wireless network cards
allow computers to be connected to a network without cables. Plug and Play plugs in any
device and has it work immediately. PC cards, cards that plug into PCMCIA slots or PC
card slots on laptops, tablets or mobile devices also known as Express Card slots.
6. Describe bus lines including bus width, system bus, and expansion bus.
Bus lines provide data pathways that connect various system components. Bus width is
the number of bits that can travel at once. System bus connects the CPU to memory on
the system board. And Expansion bus connects the CPU to other components and to slots
on the system board.
7. Define ports including standard and specialized ports. Give examples of each.
Ports are connection sockets for external devices. They are often standard features of
computer systems and others that are more specialized. Standard ports include VGA
(Video Graphics Adapter) and DVI (Digital Video Interface) that provide connections to
analog and digital monitors. USB (universal serial bus) that connects several devices to
the system unit. FireWire ports that connect camcorders and storage devices.
Ethernet standard for networking, it allows you to connect multiple computers for sharing
files, or to a DSL or cable modem for internet access. Specialized Ports include External
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) that provides a very high speed hard
drive connection. High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) that provides high
definition video and audio. Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) that are special
ports for connecting musical instruments. And Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP or mDP) that
provide a connection for a large monitor.
8. Describe power supply including power supply units and AC adapters.
Computers require Direct Current. The Direct Current powers computers. Desktop
computers have a power supply unit that is located within the system unit.
Laptop computers use AC adapters that are located outside the system unit.
Devices like Ultrabook’s and mobile devices use AC adapters.
9. Discuss electronic data and instructions.
Electronic data includes Digital signals which are electronic signals only recognized by
computers and Analog signals which are created by voice.