Here is a very basic, easy-to-understand list of computer parts, accessories, and some related terms you will likely come across as you use computers in your day-to-day life.
Audio jack: These are inputs (usually located in the back or side of the console of the computer) which you connect your speakers or headphones to.
Byte: is one coupling set combination of the numbers 0 and 1.
Cable Internet: Direct Internet access using your cable line. Can be very fast.
Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disk (DVD): Circular pieces of plastic upon which data can be imprinted and then read in computers. A CD holds approximately 750MB of information, a DVD 4 GB.
CD-R or DVD-R and DVD+R: Recordable CD or DVD discs which you can only write once.
CD-RW and DVD-RW: Re-recordable discs, meaning old information can be removed and replaced with new information.
CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-R ROM Drives: These are CD drives that can create new CDs (known as “burning”): write (R), rewrite (RW).
Dial-up Internet: This slower connection is literally established by your computer calling into an ISP through your phone line and connecting to the internet.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): Fast internet connection that uses the extra cables in a phone line for internet connection without disrupting your telephone service.
Ethernet or Cat-5 Cable: An eight-tined cable similar to the four-tined phone cable that carries information to the Ethernet Port.
Ethernet Port: This is an input (located in the console of your computer) which connects your computer to the Internet via a cord.
Flash Drive: A memory device which can hold files from 154 MB to 8 GB. The memory is contained on the device after the power source is removed from it.
Gigabyte (GB): A description of data storage or transfer rate, approximately a billion bytes and a thousand megabytes.
Hard Drive: This is the storage capacity, or long term memory, of your computer. This is usually denoted in GB (GigaBytes).
Internet Service Provider (ISP): The means through which connection to the World Wide Web, or Internet, is made. Very similar to a TV cable company that connects you with the programs you are interested in viewing.
Keyboard: Allows you to type in words, numbers, and codes into the computer.
Megabyte (MB): a description of data storage or transfer rate, approximately one million bytes.
Memory: This is your computer’s short term memory which is integral while computers are physically running programs and affects how quickly programs run. More memory means faster program running. This is usually denoted in MB (Megabytes) and on newer computers in GB.
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Random Access Memory (RAM): that holds information which is waiting to be processed by the CPU or central processing unit.
- Cache: High Speed Memory that quickly holds recently used data.
Monitor or Screen: Much like a TV screen this is the visual display of information from your computer.
Monitor Size: This is the measure of the diagonal of the viewable screen, usually in inches.
Mouse: Component which allows 2-dimensional interaction between hand movements and the visual interpretation on the computer monitor/screen.
Printer: Creates physical documents on paper from digital data within the computer.
Processor: This is considered the brain of the computer; the processor sorts, manipulates, and understands received information after it has been programmed.
Satellite Internet: Connection to the Internet through a signal beamed into a dish attached to your home. This is usually high-speed and excellent for remote locations.
Scanner: Converts physical images and documents into a digital format, primarily used for photos. Certain scanners can also be used to send faxes via your computer.
Speakers: Create audio from digital information within the computer.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port: A USB port is a part of your computer which allows you to connect mouse, speakers, a monitor, keyboards, and storage to your computer.
Wireless Card: This connects your computer to wireless Internet signals.
Wireless LAN or WiFi: This is a system which allows you to access the Internet wirelessly. You don’t need to have a wire connected to anything, so you can move about freely within the confines of the LAN (local area network).