Computer Hardware Chapter 3

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Questions and Answers

What are the three components of an information system?

Technology, processes, and people (correct)

Hardware, software, and network

Input, processing, and output

Digital devices, computer systems, and e-waste

What is computer hardware?

Software applications used for productivity

Networks used for communication

Devices that can only be used for gaming

Physical devices that make up a computer system (correct)

What is a characteristic of digital devices?

They are only found in computers

They process electronic signals into discrete values (correct)

They can only process analog signals

They can only be used for entertainment

What is a trend in personal computing?

Integrating computing into everyday objects Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem associated with the commoditization of computers?

E-waste generation Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a non-traditional digital device?

Smart refrigerator Signup and view all the answers

What is a component of a computer system?

Monitor Signup and view all the answers

What do you learn about in this chapter?

Computer hardware Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between analog and digital signals?

Analog signals are continuous, while digital signals are discrete. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a single binary digit?

Bit Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a group of 8 bits?

Byte Signup and view all the answers

What determines the capacity of a processor?

Word size Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a personal computer?

To process data using stored instructions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

To connect to a network Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for one trillion bytes?

Terabyte Signup and view all the answers

What is the central component of a personal computer that performs calculations?

Central Processing Unit (CPU) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the number of bits that can be processed by a computer's processor at one time?

Word size Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the motherboard in a personal computer?

To connect components together Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the motherboard?

To provide electrical connections between components Signup and view all the answers

What is the brain of a computer?

Central Processing Unit (CPU) Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for the speed of a CPU?

Hertz Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the law that states computing power will double every two years for the same price point?

Moore's Law Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of Random-Access Memory (RAM)?

To load information from storage into the working memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the CEO who coined the term Huang's Law?

Jensen Huang Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of multiple processors in a CPU chip?

To provide the capability of multiple CPUs all sharing the processing load Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the electrical connections between different computer components?

Bus Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the two primary manufacturers of CPUs for personal computers?

Intel and AMD Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of increased processing power in a computer?

Faster processing of data Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of RAM in a computer?

To process data temporarily Signup and view all the answers

What happens to data stored in RAM when the computer is turned off?

It is lost Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a hard disk and a solid-state drive?

SSDs use flash memory while hard disks use spinning disks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using cloud computing for data storage?

Accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a hard disk in a computer?

To store data for the longer term Signup and view all the answers

Why are SSDs more reliable than hard disks?

Because they have no moving parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a USB drive?

To store data externally Signup and view all the answers

What determines the speed of a computer?

Many elements, including hardware and software Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of adding more RAM to a computer?

Improved computer speed Signup and view all the answers

What is EEPROM?

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the process of putting more and more circuits onto the same chip?

Integrated circuits Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the cache in a CPU?

To store frequently used data for a particular program Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for the clock speed of a CPU?

GHz Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the motherboard?

To connect input and output devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the technology used for wireless communication between devices?

Bluetooth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary input device used in early computers?

Keyboard Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for the access time of a hard disk?

ms Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of RAM in a computer?

To temporarily store data for a program Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the data transfer rate of RAM?

Data transfer rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of distance over which Bluetooth devices can communicate?

Up to 100 meters Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a microphone?

To record audio or give voice commands Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a 3D printer?

To create a prototype of a product Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of netbooks?

They depend on the Internet 'cloud' for data and application storage Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of smartphones that PCs and laptops could not deliver?

Mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of tablet computers?

They use a touch screen as their primary input Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an output device?

Display or monitor Signup and view all the answers

What is a use of 3D printing?

To create a prototype of a product Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of portable computers?

They are lightweight and provide longer battery life Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a device that can be used for video chat?

Webcam Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of the MacBook Air?

It weighs less than three pounds and is only 0.68 inches thick Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a storage device?

To store digital data or information Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is used in a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Flash memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a Hard Disk and a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Speed Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the Internet of Things (IoT)?

A network of devices with unique network addresses Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in recycling e-waste?

The process of separating the densely packed materials inside tech products is hugely labour-intensive. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Long-term storage Signup and view all the answers

Why is much e-waste sent abroad?

It is much cheaper to process it abroad than at home. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that controls the sale of personal computers?

Price of the computer Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Uses flash memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in a computer?

To carry out the commands sent to it by the software and returns results to be acted upon Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of a firm's failure to address e-waste?

It can lead to legal action and damage to the brand. Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected lifetime of a PC?

3 to 5 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit that doubles approximately every two years?

Moore's Law Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Faster data access Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the motherboard in a personal computer?

To connect to the CPU, memory, and storage components, among other things Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the company that avoids commoditization of personal computers?

Apple Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of advances in personal computing?

The personal computer has become a commodity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a trend in personal computing?

Toward more portability, mobility, and interconnected devices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted increase in e-waste by 2020?

17% increase Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the electrical connections between different computer components?

Bus Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a single binary digit?

Bit Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of device that is part of the Internet of Things (IoT)?

FitBit Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of Moore's Law on computer hardware?

It accelerates the development of computer hardware. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the commoditization of computers?

It has contributed to the problem of e-waste. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a group of 8 bits?

Byte Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the rapid obsolescence of technology?

Creation of e-waste Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated amount of e-waste created in 2016?

44.7 million metric tonnes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the assignment?

To identify and understand emerging topics in computer hardware. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the measure of computer processing speed?

Hertz Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the CPU?

It contributes to the speed of your computer. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Apple's computers?

They are designed and manufactured uniquely Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an input device?

Keyboard Signup and view all the answers

What is a contributor to the global e-waste problem?

Canada Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the working memory that begins to load information from the hard disk as the computer starts up?

Read Access Memory (RAM) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the review questions?

To test knowledge of the chapter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the retention of retrievable data on a computer or other electronic system?

Storage Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 3: Hardware

3.1 Chapter Introduction

An information system consists of three components: technology, people, and processes
This chapter focuses on the technology component, specifically hardware

3.2 Digital Devices

Digital devices process electronic signals into discrete values (binary: 0 or 1)
Examples: desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, storage devices, and input and output devices
The number of bits that can be processed by a computer’s processor at one time is known as word size (e.g., 64-bit processor)

3.3 Personal Computer Tour

A computer consists of the following basic components:
- Network connection
- Motherboard
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Storage/memory
- Input/output devices

3.4 Processing Data

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the "brain" of the computer
CPU speed (clock time) is measured in hertz (Hz)
Moore's Law states that computing power will double every two years for the same price point
Multi-core processors have increased processing power
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are increasing in power faster than Moore's Law (Huang's Law)

3.5 Storing Data

Random-Access Memory (RAM) is used as working memory
RAM is volatile, meaning it loses data when power is turned off
Hard disks are used for long-term data storage
Solid State Drives (SSDs) use flash memory and are faster and more reliable than hard disks
Cloud computing provides online data storage and access

3.6 Computer Speed Factors

Computer speed is determined by hardware and software components
Hardware components that contribute to speed:
- CPU
- Motherboard
- RAM
- Hard Disk

3.7 Input and Output Devices

Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanners, microphones, webcams
Output devices: display/monitor, speakers, printers, 3D printers

3.8 Trends in Personal Computing

Portable computers: laptops, notebooks, netbooks
Integration of computer components into other devices
Definition of a computer has expanded to include various devices### Types of Computers
Laptops: portable, weigh less than three pounds, and are only 0.68 inches thick
Netbooks: extremely light, dependent on the Internet "cloud" for data and application storage, and can run Web browsers and word processors
Smartphones: provide telephone, email, location, and calendar services, and function as a highly mobile computer

Tablet Computers

Use a touch screen as their primary input
Small enough and light enough to be easily transported
Generally have no keyboard and are self-contained inside a rectangular case
Examples: Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and Amazon Fire

Integrated Computing and Internet of Things (IoT)

Computing technology is being integrated into everyday products, enhancing their capabilities
IoT is a network of billions of devices, each with their own unique network address, that can connect to the Internet for data collection and sharing
Examples: automobiles, refrigerators, airplanes, light bulbs, fitness bands, and driverless trucks

The Commoditization of the Personal Computer

The personal computer has become a commodity, with little differentiation between computer models and manufacturers
The primary factor controlling their sale is their price
Hundreds of manufacturers worldwide create parts for personal computers, which are purchased and assembled
Apple is an exception, as they design and manufacture unique products that no one can easily copy, allowing them to charge more

E-Waste

The rapid obsolescence of computers and cell phones creates a growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste)
In 2016, approximately 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste were created, and by 2020, it is predicted to increase by 17%
E-waste contains hazardous materials like cadmium, mercury, lead, and other toxic substances
Recycling is a complex and labor-intensive process, and much e-waste is sent abroad for processing, often to China, South Asia, or sub-Saharan Africa

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of computer hardware, including digital devices, personal computer components, processing and storing data, and input/output devices.