Exam 2: Computer Hardware

Tablet computers, many PDAs, UMPCs, retail store self-checkouts, and information kiosks collect input from a ____.

____ refers to the number of bits that a microprocessor can manipulate at one time.

The term ____ designates equipment that might be added to a computer system to enhance its functionality.

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions Case 2-4 Paul decided to upgrade his computer system. He purchased a new optical disc drive to replace his old CD-ROM drive. He has decided to replace his old CRT display device and already upgraded his graphics card to support a more modern display device. He also plans to purchase a new printer to replace his old dot-matrix printer. What should Paul look for in a display device as a measure of image clarity?

A ____ is a device that not only provides surge protection, but also furnishes your computer with battery backup power during a power outage.

A(n) ____________________ can be triggered by jarring the hard disk while it is in use.

Notebook computers use a flat panel ____ screen that is attached to the system unit.

____ is the most popular type of RAM because it is fast and relatively inexpensive.

____________________ is special high-speed memory that allows the processor to access data more rapidly than from memory located elsewhere on the motherboard.

A ____ computer is a portable computing device featuring a touch-sensitive screen that can be used as a writing or drawing pad.

The segment of the data bus that connects RAM to peripheral devices is called the ____________________ bus.

Which of the following does NOT help with the tracking and recovery of laptops?

ROM BIOS is a small set of instructions that tells the computer ____ .

A RISC processor has a complex instruction set, each requiring several clock cycles for execution.

RAM speed is often expressed in nanoseconds (ns) or megahertz (MHz).

EIDE, Ultra ATA, SCSI and DMA refer to the different types of controllers used by a hard disk drives.

In an advertisement, a speed specification, such as 2.66 GHz, indicates the speed of the microprocessor ____.

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions Case 2-2 Laura plans to buy a new computer. She is interested in the technical features of the different types of memory she will find in her computer system - RAM, ROM, and EEPROM. She works with documents, edits and creates graphics, and likes to play 3D virtual reality games. One of the computer ads Laura is looking at specifies "1 GB 400 MHz SDRAM (max 2 GB)." What does the 1 GB specify?

____ are the form factor of choice for computer owners who might want to upgrade components in the future because it is easy to get inside the case and swap out parts.

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions Case 2-2 Laura plans to buy a new computer. She is interested in the technical features of the different types of memory she will find in her computer system - RAM, ROM, and EEPROM. She works with documents, edits and creates graphics, and likes to play 3D virtual reality games. Laura wants to make sure her computer is fast enough for her everyday use. Which of the listed features is the most important?