Understanding Computers and Mobile Devices

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the control unit within the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

Manage data storage on peripheral devices

Direct program instructions and data flow (correct)

Establish network connections

Perform arithmetic calculations

Which system board component provides pathways that support communication among various electronic components?

Chips

Bus lines (correct)

Slots

Socket

What constitutes the 'brains' of the computer?

Traffic monitor

Control unit

Data path

Microprocessor (correct)

Which component acts as a connection point for chips on the system board?

Sockets Signup and view all the answers

What type of operations does the Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU) perform?

Arithmetic and logical operations Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a slate tablet PC from traditional notebook computers?

It is designed primarily for displaying content. Signup and view all the answers

What are the components found in personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones?

Electronic components, secondary storage, and input/output devices. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the binary system is true?

The binary system consists of two digits: 0 and 1. Signup and view all the answers

Which character coding scheme is primarily used for languages with large numbers of characters?

Unicode Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for the system board in a computer?

Mainboard. Signup and view all the answers

What does a 32-bit word computer allow the CPU to access at one time?

4 bytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a multi-core chip?

To allow multiple operations to run simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a coprocessor?

A processor intended to optimize specific computing tasks Signup and view all the answers

How is clock speed defined in the context of microprocessors?

The number of times the CPU fetches and processes data in a second Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a characteristic of specialty processors?

They can replace the main CPU Signup and view all the answers

Which author focused on empowering information professionals through training on information and communication technology?

L.T. David Signup and view all the answers

What is a common theme discussed in Baecker's and David's works?

The role of ICT in modern societies. Signup and view all the answers

Which publication focuses on the current scenario of information technology in library science?

Current Scenario of Information Technology in Library Science Signup and view all the answers

Who is an author that contributed instructional materials for students in the IT era?

R.R. Caoili-Tayuan Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the presentation by L.T. David regarding libraries?

Meeting the needs of the Net Generation. Signup and view all the answers

What type of power do computers primarily require?

Direct current (DC) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of port is typically used for connecting printers and scanners?

Parallel port Signup and view all the answers

What component is primarily used in desktop computers to convert AC to DC?

Power supply unit Signup and view all the answers

What type of devices primarily use IrDA technology?

Wireless data transfer devices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of expansion slots?

They are used exclusively for storage devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the connectors on the ends of cables used for external devices?

To attach the cable securely to ports Signup and view all the answers

What component is crucial for the functioning of microprocessors?

Clock speed Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is considered non-volatile and retains information without power?

Read-Only Memory (ROM) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Slate Tablet PCs

Similar to notebook computers
Monitor is attached to the system unit
Does not have an integrated keyboard
Uses a mobile operating system
Accepts gesture input
Can display movies
Primarily designed for content display

Handheld Computer Systems

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and Smartphones: Electronic components, secondary storage, input/output devices.
Palm Computers: Contain an entire computer system.

Electronic Data and Instructions

Data and instructions are represented electronically.
Computers recognize digital signals (electrical on/off states).
The binary system uses two digits: 0 and 1.
Each 0 or 1 is called a bit.
Eight bits comprise a byte or one character.

Character Coding Schemes

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange): Common coding scheme.
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code): Primarily used by mainframe and supercomputers.
Unicode: Handles languages with extensive character sets.

System Board

Also known as the Main board or Motherboard.
Controls communications within the computer.
Components connect to the system board.
Provides a data path for communication.
Monitors data traffic.

System Board Components

Sockets: Connection points for chips.
Chips: Tiny circuit boards etched onto silicon squares.
Slots: Provide connections for specialized cards or circuit boards.
Bus Lines: Pathways that enable communication between electronic components.

Microprocessor

Central Processing Unit (CPU): Contained on the microprocessor chip.
Considered the brain of the computer.
Control Unit: Interprets program instructions.
Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic and logical operations.

Microprocessor Chips

Word Size: Number of bits accessed by the CPU at once (e.g., 32-bit word = 4 bytes).
Clock Speed: Processing speed measured in cycles per second.
Multi-Core Chips: Allow a single computer to run multiple operations simultaneously.

Specialty Processors

Coprocessors: Enhance specific computing tasks (e.g., Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)).
Smart Cards: Plastic cards with embedded chips for data storage.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Tags: Information chips embedded in merchandise for tracking.

Computer Memory

Random Access Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for active data and programs.
Cache Memory: High-speed memory that stores frequently accessed data.
DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module): RAM modules with multiple memory chips.
Virtual Memory: Uses hard disk space to extend RAM capacity.
Read-Only Memory (ROM): Non-volatile memory that stores the system's boot-up instructions.
Flash Memory: Non-volatile memory used in solid-state drives (SSDs) and USB thumb drives.

Expansion Slots and Cards

Expansion Slots: Connectors on the system board for adding expansion cards.
Expansion Cards: Circuit boards that provide additional functionality to the computer.
Plug and Play: Automated configuration of new hardware.
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) Slots: Older standard for expanding notebook computers.
ExpressCard Slots: Newer standard for expanding notebook computers.

Bus Lines

Bus Width: Number of bits that can be transferred simultaneously.
System Bus: Connects the CPU to memory and other components.
Expansion Bus: Connects expansion cards to the system board.
Bus Types: ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), and AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port).

Ports

Standard Ports: Commonly used interfaces (e.g., USB, Ethernet).
Specialized Ports: Designed for specific devices (e.g., HDMI, FireWire).
Legacy Ports: Older ports still used for compatibility (e.g., PS/2).

Power Supply

Computers require DC (direct current) power.
AC (alternating current) from wall outlets or batteries is converted to DC.
Power Supply Units: Used in desktop computers.
AC Adapters: Used in notebooks and handheld computers.

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Description

This quiz explores the features and functions of slate tablet PCs and handheld computer systems, including PDAs and smartphones. It covers fundamental electronic data representation, binary coding, and character coding schemes like ASCII and Unicode.