Hardware Flashcards
What is input?
Computer receives instructions - what to do + what data to work on
What gives the computer input?
User
How does the user give the computer input?
Keyboard and mouse
What is processing?
Works on data - part of computer does all processing is the CPU
What is storage?
Permanent record of our work
What does storage receive?
Output and provide input for computer
How is storage made?
Internal or portable
How can computers communicate?
They are linked to each other
How can computers communicate?
They are linked to each other
What can communication provide for?
input and output
What is output?
Computer gives feedback on the results of its processing
Give examples of computer output
Pictures, text on screen, sound, printing on paper
What can instructions be?
Program, command, user responses
What are programs?
Set of instructions loaded into memory when you run the program
What are commands?
Given by user
What is user responses?
To a question ‘asked’ by a program
What is a keyboard?
Keyboard is the most commonly used input device.
F1
Help
Esc
Cancel choices
Windows key (),<E> File Explorer</E>
File explorer
<><D></D>
Desktop
What is the print screen?
‘Screen capture’ is copied as an image to the clipboard
What is a clipboard?
an area in memory where text and other objects that have been copied are temporarily stored
Mouse click
Select an option or an object.
Mouse double-click
Start a program or open a file or folder.
Mouse right-click
Open a pop-up menu that gives you options or actions.
Mouse drag
Select and drag an object.
Mouse scroll
Use the mouse wheel to scroll in lists, long documents or web pages.
Keyboard and mouse combinations
Pressing and holding Shift, Alt and Ctrl can change the meaning of a mouse click.
What are connection devices?
Ports and plug and play
What are ports?
Sockets used to connect peripherals to the computer
What is plug and play?
Operating system automatically detects and configures a device plugged into the computer, so the device can be used almost immediately.
What is a wireless keyboard and mouse?
Use short range radio waves (usually Bluetooth) to communicate with the computer.
What are advantages of wireless devices?
Less clutter (as no cables)
Wider range of movement
What are disadvantages of wireless devices?
Require batteries (to send wireless signal)
Slightly more expensive than wired devices
Can easily be removed, so easily stolen
Can sometimes be interference with the wireless signal
What is a wireless adapter needed for?
A wireless adapter has to be attached to the computer to receive signals from the device. All wireless devices need power in order to transmit a signal and so they have to contain some form of battery.
How is a monitor measured?
Measured diagonally in inches
What is resolution?
Number of pixels (small dots) used to form the screen image
What is a graphics card?
Image is generated by specialised circuitry
What is a separate, high end graphic card used for?
Graphics intensive tasks such as video editing and games.
What is a response time?
The time it takes to change a pixel from one colour to another
What is response time measured in?
Measured in milliseconds.
What are the connecting monitors?
VGA (old standard)
HDMI
DisplayPort
Thunderbolt
USB (for specialised monitor)
What are inkjet printers?
spray microscopic dots of ink onto
the paper
What are laser printers?
Work like a photo-copier
Which printer is more expensive to buy?
Laser printer
Which printer is more expensive to run?
Inkjet - laser cheaper for large volumes
Which printer has good quality prints?
Inkjet
Which printer is faster?
Laser
Does memory or storage have a larger capacity?
Storage has a much larger capacity than memory - keep all your data and programs
How many bytes is one kilobyte?
1024 byte
How many bytes is one megabyte?
1024kb
How many bytes is one gigabyte?
1024 mb
How many bytes is one terabyte?
1024 gb
What are the two types of hard drives?
In case and external/portable
What is a hard drive in case?
Stores all programs and data
GB or TB
What is an external hard drive?
USB connected
Gets power from PC
What are flash drives?
Use electronic memory to store data
powered via USB port
How do you plug in a flash drive?
Into USB port - Removable Disk
What is a health concern?
RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury
What can help prevent RSI?
Using ergonomically designed keyboards
What is Ergonomics?
Study and design of the workplace and the equipment used in the workplace for the comfort and safety of people in their work environments.
