As part of your studies you are likely to use a computer. Even though facilities are provided on campus, some students already have a computer or choose to purchase one for their studies. The following information is intended to define some of the terminology you may encounter. It explains the purpose of the basic components of a computer and provides you with knowledge to help you choose computer equipment to purchase.
| CPU |
This is the Central Processing Unit of your computer. It is found on the motherboard inside the box where most of the hardware components are housed. The CPU is a silicon chip that acts as the brains of your computer. The terms Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium IV, MMX, G3 and G4 all refer to the range of chips available over the last few years. |
| Hard Disk drive |
The hard disk is where your computer stores its operating system, software applications such as Microsoft Office, Email and your data files. Drives are measured in MB (megabytes) or in GB (gigabytes). One GB is 1,024MB. Most new machines have a hard drive with a capacity from 20 to 40 GB. |
| Memory |
Often referred to as RAM (Random Access Memory). The amount of RAM on your system will affect how well your software performs. If you haven't got enough, your software may perform slowly. Most entry-level machines now have a minimum of 128 MB RAM; it is important that there are extra slots available in the computer to add more RAM if you require it. |
| Graphics card |
A board that plugs into the computer to give it display capabilities by rendering images and giving displaying them onto the monitor. Modern video adapters contain memory, so that the computer's RAM is not used for storing displays. In addition, most adapters have their own graphics coprocessor for performing graphics calculations. These adapters are often called graphics accelerators. |
| Sound card |
An expansion board that allows a computer to output sounds. Sound cards are necessary for nearly all CD-ROMs and have become commonplace on modern personal computers. Sound cards enable the computer to output sound through speakers connected to the board, to record sound input from a microphone connected to the computer, and manipulate sound stored on a disk. |
| CD ROM drive |
CD ROM drive Most systems have a CD ROM drive. This is essential as new software applications are usually provided on CD rather than floppy disk. CD speeds can range from single speed to 48 speed (the higher the number the quicker information is read from the disc). Some computers now come with a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) drive instead of a CD ROM drive or a combined DVD / CD ROM drive. Writeable CD ROM drives are also common and DVD writeables are becoming more popular, although it is still fairly new and expensive. |
| Floppy and Zip disk drive |
This drive is where you insert floppy disks for reading and saving files. Floppy disks are being superseded by Zip and other formats, which have 100+ MB capacity. A standard 3.5" floppy disk holds 1.44MB. |
| Monitor |
Also called a display, the monitor is the visual output device of a computer. Desktop monitors are usually cathode-ray tubes (CRT), much like most televisions. Laptop monitors, as well as many newer desktop monitors, are usually flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD). Monitors range in size from 15 inches to 23 inches. |
| Modem |
If you want to access the Internet from your home, you'll need a modem and an account with an Internet Service Provider. Modems have different speeds, which are expressed either in Kbps (kilobits per second) or bps (bits per second). One Kbps is equal to 1,024 bps. At present 56Kbps is the standard speed for new modems. |
| Ports |
These are sockets that you can use to plug in printers, scanners, and cameras into your computer. USB 2.0 ports are the latest standard, that allow you to connect your equipment to your computer without havind to install cards or reconfigure the system. OTher ports include serial, or FireWire is allows high-speed data transfer between compatible devices. |
| Printer |
A printer allows the outputs on the monitor to be printed out onto paper. Printers fall into 2 different types: Inkjet or laser category. Inkjet printers would spray tiny droplets of ink at a sheet of paper to produce high quality text and graphics. Laser printers uses the same technology as photocopy machines. Laser printers produce very high quality text and graphics. Laser printers are initially more expensive to buy but the running cost (that is the cost per page of printout) is lower than that of inkject printers. There are also colour laser printers available which are again more expensive than a black and white laser printer. |
| Scanner |
A scanner is a device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use. The resulting image, called a bit map, can then be stored in a file, displayed on a screen, and manipulated by applications. |
| Speaker |
Speakers allow you to output sound from your computer. You can purchase just stereo speakers or those with a sub-woofer which would enhance the bass tones of your sounds more. |
| USB key |
Very popular and convenient, USB keys are portable mini harddisk drives that is quickly replacing floppy disks for portable file storage. USB keys can used straight away after being plugged into the computer's USB port without having install any drivers for the hardware. USB keys come in different sizes ranging from the lower end of 32MB to the more higher end 512MB. |
| CDs- R vs. R/W |
There are two types of CD media that you can buy to copy or burn your files to. The first one is the CD-R, which means that once you have written media onto the CD,you cannot erase it and the CD is finalised for reading purposes only. With re-writeable CD or CD-WRs, you can erase the contents of the CD and 're-write' different media onto the CD many times over. Both CD types come in standard capacities 650Mb and 700Mb. |
