IT Hardware Evolution

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Questions and Answers

Which type of storage loses its content when power is lost?

Volatile storage (correct)

Nonvolatile storage

Secondary storage

Permanent storage

What is the primary function of secondary storage?

To improve access speed

To store data regardless of power (correct)

To process data instantaneously

To temporarily hold data

What does the term 'head crash' refer to in hard disk technology?

The read-write head touching the disk surface (correct)

A failure to save data correctly

A data retrieval error

A malfunction of the storage device

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of secondary storage?

Volatility Signup and view all the answers

What materials do hard disks primarily utilize to store data?

Rigid metallic platters Signup and view all the answers

What process is involved in saving information to storage?

Writing Signup and view all the answers

Which type of hard disk is designed for external use?

External hard disk Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following enhances the performance of hard disks?

Upgrading access speed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of multicore processors?

Simultaneous handling of multiple tasks Signup and view all the answers

Which hardware trend is associated with faster data access and lower latency?

Non-Volatile Memory express (NVMe) storage Signup and view all the answers

What technology is essential for real-time applications like augmented reality and IoT?

5G integration and networking hardware Signup and view all the answers

Quantum computing utilizes which type of data unit to represent information?

Qubits Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential application of nanotechnology in the future of computer hardware?

Operating and building at the atomic scale Signup and view all the answers

Which device is representative of a multicore processor technology?

Apple M1 chip Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of NVMe SSDs?

Compatibility with older SATA connectors Signup and view all the answers

What innovative area does quantum computing aim to revolutionize?

Artificial intelligence and cryptography Signup and view all the answers

What significant development occurred after 1995 that encouraged firms to utilize TCP/IP networking standards?

The Internet became a trusted communications environment Signup and view all the answers

What does cloud computing primarily offer to users?

A shared pool of computing resources accessed over a network Signup and view all the answers

What was a key driver for the growth of edge computing?

The need to process data nearer to its source Signup and view all the answers

Which era marked the shift toward cloud computing?

Cloud and Mobile Computing Era Signup and view all the answers

What was a main characteristic of the Web-based Enterprise Computing Era?

Integration of disparate networks and applications Signup and view all the answers

How does edge computing enhance data processing?

By improving latency and bandwidth efficiency Signup and view all the answers

In which computing model do users access resources on an as-needed basis?

Cloud computing model Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of edge computing?

To enable real-time data processing and decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of minicomputers?

They are customizable for individual departments. Signup and view all the answers

What marked the beginning of the personal computer era?

The widespread adoption of PCs in the 1980s. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a server in a client/server computing model?

To process and store shared data for clients. Signup and view all the answers

Which software development significantly changed PC functionality in the 1990s?

Operating system software that enabled networking. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the client from the server in a client/server architecture?

The client is primarily responsible for processing data. Signup and view all the answers

What role do personal computers play in a client/server computing environment?

They serve users by connecting to powerful servers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the typical server in today's environments?

A powerful version of personal computers with advanced chips. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant development in personal desktop productivity during the 1980s?

The introduction of various software tools like word processors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of optical-mark recognition (OMR)?

Sensing the presence or absence of marks for test scoring Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of flat-panel monitors?

Have a bulky design Signup and view all the answers

Which technology allows users to operate computers using voice commands?

Voice recognition systems Signup and view all the answers

What type of output is referred to as 'soft copy'?

Visual images on screens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of digital cameras?

Store images in memory Signup and view all the answers

Which type of device is an e-book reader classified as?

Output device Signup and view all the answers

What is the essential function of tracking pets in relation to technology?

Using devices to monitor location or activity Signup and view all the answers

In what way do curved monitors enhance the viewing experience?

By providing better viewing angles near the edges Signup and view all the answers

Which component is critical for voice recognition systems to function?

Microphone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about printers is true?

Printers can produce both text and graphics Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using photonics in computing?

Higher data transfer rates Signup and view all the answers

Which technology aims to reduce power consumption by stacking chips vertically?

3D chip stacking Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes neuromorphic computing from traditional computing technologies?

It mimics human brain functionality Signup and view all the answers

What is a common aim of emerging memory technologies?

To improve durability and energy efficiency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the types of emerging memory technologies mentioned?

VRAM Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of heterogeneous computing?

Ability to optimize for specific tasks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about traditional memory types is true?

They lack durability and energy efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

What potential does neuromorphic computing hold for artificial intelligence?

Leads to more advanced AI capabilities Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 2 - Hardware

This chapter covers the evolution of IT hardware, system units, input/output, secondary storage, and hardware trends.

Part 1 - Evolution of IT Hardware

Learning objectives include explaining the stages of IT infrastructure and different types of computer hardware.
Stages in IT infrastructure evolution include mainframe/mini computers (1959-present), personal computers (1981-present), client/server computing (1983-present), web-based enterprise computing (1992-present), cloud/mobile computing (2000-present), and edge computing/IoT (2010-present).
The introduction of the IBM 1401 and 7090 marked the beginning of widespread commercial use of mainframe computers.
The IBM 360 series, introduced in 1965, revolutionized mainframes, increasing power and supporting thousands of online terminals.
The proliferation of PCs in the 1980s and early 1990s led to the development of productivity software, impacting both home and business use.

Part 2 - System Unit

Learning objectives include differentiating between five basic types of system units, describing system boards, recognizing different microprocessors, comparing computer memory types, explaining expansion slots and cards, describing ports and power supplies, and explaining electronic number and character representation.

Part 3 - Input/Output

Learning objectives include defining input, describing keyboards, pointing devices, scanners, RFID, and image capture, recognition, and audio input devices. Defining output, identifying different monitor types, and printing features, audio-video devices and combination input/output devices.

Part 4 - Secondary Storage

Learning objectives include distinguishing between primary and secondary storage, identifying secondary storage characteristics, describing hard-disk characteristics and head crashes, defining types of hard disks, explaining performance enhancements, and defining solid-state, optical, cloud storage, and mass storage devices and their respective capabilities.

Part 5 - Hardware Trends

Learning objectives include describing current trends in computer hardware, including AI and machine learning hardware, edge computing and IoT devices, multicore processors, non-volatile memory technologies, 5G integration and networking hardware, and future trends including quantum computing and emerging memories.

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Description

Explore the fascinating journey of IT hardware from mainframes to cloud computing in this quiz. Learn about significant milestones such as the IBM 1401 and the rise of personal computers. Understand the different types of computer hardware and their evolution through various computing paradigms.

IT Hardware Evolution - Chapter 2

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