Basic Computer Terms & Concepts

Computer System A collection of devices, each with a special function. Four components of a computer system: »Input »Output »Processing »Storage

Input Devices Keyboard Mouse –Trackball –Touch Pad Scanner Microphone Digital Camera Modem

Output Devices Monitor Printer –Laser –Dot matrix –Inkjet Speaker Modem

Processing Microprocessor does the computing and controls everything that is going on in the computer. AKA CPU or Central Processing Unit The brain of the computer. Hertz - measures the speed of the microprocessor

Storage RAM ROM Disk Storage –Hard DiskHard Disk CD-Rom DVD-RW How is storage measured?

Terms Modem – modulator, demodulator, used to transfer data. Motherboard – circuit board in the computer that houses the chips that control the processing functions. Hardware – the equipment that makes up the computer system.

RAM Random Access Memory Holds the programs and data which you are working on with limited space Volatile storage or temporary

ROM Read-only memory Set of memory chips that store data and programs necessary to get the computer started.

Hard Disk Storage device that is permanently installed inside the computer. Stores your programs, pictures, files, music, games.

Other Storage Devices Flash Drive

Printers LaserDot MatrixInkjet CostMost expensive Least expensive Moderately expensive QualityBest qualityPoorest quality Moderate quality

Measuring Storage Intel – Journey Inside Byte1 character Megabyte1 million characters Gigabyte1 billion characters Terabyte1 trillion characters

Inside My Computer