Hardware Technology Terms

~ You Need to Know ~

Blu-RayLooks like a CD.

Developed for recording and playing back high-definition (HD) video.

Also for storing large amounts of data.

DVD vs. Blu-Ray

DVD vs. Blu-Ray

Cable ModemUsed for connecting to

the Internet.

Much faster than a dial-up modem.

NOTE: Some modems now come with the option of Wi-Fi capability.

Ethernet CableMost common type of

connection computers use in a local area network (LAN).

Can be used to connect your computer to another computer, or cable modem.

NOTE: Looks much like a phone jack, but it is slightly wider.

Flash DriveFlash drives have many

names:Jump drivesThumb drives Pen drives USB keychain drives.

It is a small data storage device that uses flash memory and has a built-in USB connection.

Hard DriveStores all your data.

It houses the hard

disk, where all your files and folders are physically located.

NOTE: Have you heard the sound?

HDMIStands for "High-

Definition Multimedia Interface."

Digital interface for transmitting audio and video data in a single cable.

NOTE: Supported by most HDTVs, DVD and Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and video game systems.

LCDStands for "Liquid

Crystal Display."

Super-thin displays that are used in laptop screens and flat panel monitors.

NOTE: Smaller LCDs are used in handheld TVs, PDAs, and portable video game devices.

MotherboardThe main circuit board of your

computer.

Attached you'll find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots, and USB ports.

Also includes controllers for devices like the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard, and mouse.

NOTE: Basically, the motherboard is what makes everything in your computer work together.

ProcessorSmall chip that resides

in computers and other electronic devices.

Its job is to receive input and provide the appropriate output.

NOTE: While this may seem like a simple task, modern processors can handle trillions of calculations per second.

RAMStands for “Random

Access Memory”.

Storage made up of small memory chips.

NOTE: The more RAM your computer has, the more data can be loaded from the hard drive into the RAM, which can effectively speed up your computer.

Video CardUsed to process the

graphics portion of the processing load.

NOTE: Most of the processing done on a computer is done via the computer's central processing unit, or CPU. To give the CPU a break and help it run more efficiently a Video Card is used.