Hardware

• Modular Design means that the computer you buy can be put together in pieces with your requirements in mind. individual components can be replaced and upgraded.
• Multiprocessing is having multiple CPU's on a single CPU chip.
• RAM stores the programs currently in use and the data associated with them.
• The most commonly used type of RAM is Double Data Rate(DDR).
• A graphics card consists of a specialised processor called a Graphics Processing Unit(GPU)>
• SSDs have no moving parts, are more expensive per unit of storage and take 3 times less time to boot up.
• M.2 is a form factor - it describes the shape and size of a hardware device.
• M.2 SSDs are small drives connected directly to an M.2 socket on the motherboard.
• biometric scanners capture biometric data for verification of a person's identity.
• Bar code readers read data encoded as a series of lines. Bar codes are useful to limit a user's input.
• The speed at which a printer can print pages is called Pages Per Minute.
• Printers with duplex printing provide an option to print on both sides of the paper.
• Network printers are connected to the LAN, allowing many computers to connect to the single printer...saving costs.
• A wireless printer has the printing information sent to the printer via a wireless connection.
• A Head-mounted display is worn on the head and has a small display for one or both eyes and is used in gaming, engineering and medicine.
• Augmented reality creates an effect of digital content interacting with the world by overlaying projected images on top of a pair of see-through glasses.
• Virtual Reality increases user participation by bringing the user into a completely different virtual world.
• The Information Processing Cycle consists of 5 stages. they are Input; Processing; Output; Communication and Storage.
• Information Processing begins with Input. input provides the data that needs to be processed to generate information.
• Processing is the collection of steps, decision and calculations taken to convert data into information.
• Output is the proof that processing has taken place.
• Communication allows ICT devices to connect with each other.
• Storage is where data, software and even output results are kept when the computer in not in use.
• Processing can only take place when the software and the data are loaded into the memory of the ICT device.
• Processing in the "engine" that drives any ICT system.
• An SSD is a completely electronic alternative to the traditional hard drive.
• SSDs use the same technology as flash drives.
• The CPU is responsible for running your programs and processing data.
• The RAM is the temporary storage area for running programs and for data that is being processed.
• The HDD is the primary storage device for the computer. It stores all the data and programs that the computer needs to run.
• The Video Card is a separate circuit board that plugs into a special slot on the motherboard.
• A DVD Drive is an optical drive that can play, read and write CD and DVD discs.
• A PORT on the motherboard is used to connect external devices to the computer
• Printers are used to produce hardcopy output.
• Image scanners capture images, whilst barcode scanners read barcodes.
• External(portable) storage refers to storage devices that connect to the computer to transfer data to and from the computer and the storage devices.
• An Entry Level Computer is a computer which is the cheapest and lowest spec of its particular range.
• A Solid State Drive is an electronic alternative to a traditional hard drive. SSD's use microchips instead of disks to store information.
• A dongle or cellular modem is used to link devices to the Internet
• RAM is NOT an example of a Storage Device.