Definitions of Motherboard
By Mitchel Sharko
September 30, 2015
Introduction:
The following assignment pertains to definitions and the legal, ethical, societal and global
importance of them to help readers understand complex and technical issues. The objective of
the assignment is to demonstrate the ability to mold a definition based on the traits of a particular
audience. The project seeks to integrate varying levels of details of a word of our choice using
parenthetical, sentence, and expanded definitions.
Scenario, Target Audience, Intended Use:
Mitchel works for a large electronics manufacturer who is tasked to create readily available
component information for those clients who are looking to upgrade computer parts. In creation
of the definitions of motherboard, the focus is on "non-technical readers". Specifically those
adults at home with no knowledge of the hardware found inside computers. The information
would be set up on a "Computers 101" website for those parties interested in finding out more.
Parenthetical Definition:
The motherboard (communication hub for electronic components) is found in many devices such
as a cell phone.
Sentence Definition:
A motherboard is a circuit board found in computers and other electronic systems which
connects other parts of an electronic device, for instance, a CD/DVD drive in a computer.
Expanded Definition:
Motherboard
What Is A Motherboard?
A motherboard is the main circuit board which allows other components of an electronic system
to communicate (Christensson, 2008). The board mechanically supports and electrically
connects components using tracks, pads and other features from copper sheets laminated onto a
non-conductive substrate (Printed Circuit Board, n.d.). Motherboard (communication relay
center) is also known as a mainboard, mobo (abbreviation), MB (abbreviation), system board,
and logic board (Fisher, n.d.).
How Did It Develop?
The creation of the motherboard was done out of simple economics. Prior to the motherboard,
digital computers consisted of several components connected by a backplane which is a circuit
board with a group of electronic connectors set up in parallel to each other (Motherboard,
n.d.). Each separate component was connected to the backplane via electrical connectors similar
to plugging in VCR or DVD cables to your television but in a much smaller form. Due to size
constraints, engineers eventually began integrating all electronic components onto one
board. Today, 92.4% of global motherboard production is completed by Taiwanese firms for
two large companies: Intel and Asus (Yung & Lai, 2012).
How Is It Used?
The motherboard is the main circuit board in the computer, and it can be extended by plugging
other circuit boards onto it (Why Motherboard is Used to Refer to Main Board of Computer,
January, 2011). These extensions are called daughter boards. Once these other boards are
attached, it acts to relay and combine information from many parts of the computer. Thus it is
integral to performance and stability of the computer hardware (Yung & Lai, 2012). For
example, when you click on a mouse that information must go through the motherboard in order
to communicate the "click" action with the computer. However, a motherboard is not only found
in a desktop computer. They are found in multiple other electronic devices. Figure 1. is a
motherboard found in an iPhone.
FIGURE 1. Motherboard for a iPhone 4GS.
Source: iPhone 4G - 'HD' Antennas Found?, http://www.brianklug.org/2010/04/iphone-4ghdantennas-found/
What Are It's Parts?
As stated, motherboards come in all shapes and sizes based on the electronic device which they
are used for. As different electronic devices have different tasks the components they contain are
not all the same. Generally, motherboards consist of the following components: connectors for
peripherals, hard drive slots, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Connectors for peripherals
would include for example, a connection for your mouse, keyboard, USB, printer or
headphones. A hard drive is a data storage device used to store and retrieve digital information
(Hard Disk Drive, n.d.). The central processing unit is the electronic circuitry in a computer that
carries out the instructions of a computer (Central Processing Unit, n.d.). Above, Figure 1.
showed components in an iPhone where as Figure 2. shows an example of various components
integrated on a computer motherboard (see below).
FIGURE 2. Components of A Motherboard
Source: Component/configuration of Computer Part-3, http://aboutpclearner.blogspot.ca/
Works Cited
Central Processing Unit. (n.d.). Retrieved on September 27, 2015 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit.
Christensson, P. (December 6, 2008). Motherboard Definition. Retrieved on September 25, 2015
from http://techterms.com.
Fisher, T. (n.d.). Motherboard. Retrieved on September 25, 2015 from
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_mobo.htm.
Hard Disk Drive. (n.d.). Retrieved one September 27, 2015 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive.
Klug, B. (n.d.). Internet Adventures. Retrieved on September 27, 2015 from
http://www.brianklug.org/2010/04/iphone-4ghd-antennas-found/.
Motherboard. (n.d.). Retrieved on September 27, 2015 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard.
Printed Circuit Board. (n.d.). Retrieved on Septemmber 27, 2015 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printed_circuit_board.
Shahid, A. (July 14, 2014). Component/configuration of Computer Part-3.
http://aboutpclearner.blogspot.ca/
Why Motherboard is Used to Refer to Main Board of Computer. (January 28, 2011).
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/10386/why-motherboard-is-used-to-refer-tomain-board-of-computer.
Yung, I., & Lai, M. (October, 2012). Dynamic capabilities in new product development: the
case of Asus in motherboard production. Journal of Total Quality Management &
Business Excellence, 23, 1125 - 1134.