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| Before you purchase a PC,
familiarize yourself with some basic computer terms. |
|
CD-ROM: A
device that plays compact discs or runs computer programs stored on a
compact disc. If your computer has a CD-ROM drive, you can't make your own
personal CDs. CD-RW: A
device that allows your computer to play compact discs and allows you to
create your own. DVD:
Stands for digital video disk. It is much like an ordinary CD, except it
stores more data and can play high-quality videos. FireWire:
A cable that allows massive amounts of data to be transferred into a
computer at a very high speed. This is important for anyone who uses
computers for advanced photography or video production. Hard drive: The place on a computer where data is stored and retrieved. All of a new computer's programs are stored on the hard drive. Modem: A
device that allows a computer to transmit data over telephone lines. It is
the most common way that people connect to the Internet. Monitor:
The display screen for a computer. It looks much like a small television
set except with better clarity. Mouse: A
handheld device that moves the on-screen pointer. A mouse enables a
computer user to perform many tasks without the using the keyboard. Printer: A device that prints text or pictures directly onto paper. Processor:
The brains of the entire computer. The higher the number of MHz
(megahertz), the faster the computer will process information. Therefore,
a 75-MHz processor is slower than a 100-MHz processor. RAM:
Stands for random access memory. It is the place where computer programs
store data to access it quickly. The more RAM your computer has, the more
efficiently your computer will operate. This is the most important area a
buyer should invest in when purchasing a new computer. Software:
Computer programs that have a specific use to a computer user. Some
examples are word processors, spreadsheets, or games. Scanner: A
device that converts paper documents or photos into a format that can be
viewed on a computer. USB: Allows a computer user to easily install an additional device such as a scanner or a CD-RW. The USB (universal serial bus) cable is plugged into the device and into the computer. That means you don't have to disassemble your computer in order to install a new device. |