Unit 10: Vocabulary

Computers often sold as incomplete kits that require extra components to be functional.

Assembling a barebone computer is usually less expensive and certainly more configurable than buying a ready-made one off the shelf.

The evolution of devices towards common functionality.

The iPhone is a good example of convergence, because it has all the features of a PDA, mobile phone, and an MP3 player in one package.

A personal computer typically in the shape of a tower or box with a connected keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Desktop computers are seen in nearly every office and home today.

A computer using a relatively slow and specialized processor and ROM chip, normally used to control a particular device such as a washing machine or an MP3 player.

Nearly all electronics you can buy today are controlled by embedded systems.

The size, configuration, or physical arrangement of a computing device.

It's hard to buy components for a computer if you don't know the particular form factor.

A portable computer with a built-in screen, integrated keyboard, and battery power.

As laptop computers have become more powerful and affordable, they are steadily replacing the more traditional desktop computer.

An older device or application that continues to be used because of the high cost of replacing it.

Mainframes and minicomputers used to be cutting edge; now they are known as legacy systems.

An often cheap and small laptop with less powerful components meant for surfing the web, reading email, and other basic tasks.

I wanted to play Call of Duty while I was traveling, but the graphics card in my netbook could only handle Solitaire.

A computer designed for use by one person at a time.

When people use the term 'PC', they are often referring to a desktop computer running Windows.

A legacy handheld computer often running Palm OS or Windows CE and used as a contact organizer, game machine, work tool, or access controlle.

In the 1990's the modern traveling businessman depended on his PDA to organize all his contacts and appointments.

Hardware or software designed to connect a network device with a printer.

The secretary could not get a hard copy because the print server was broken.

A specialized computer which connects two networks.

The wifi router allowed the entire office to share a single internet connection.

A type of computer intended primarily for central distribution of data to other computers on the same network.

Because servers hold large amounts of centralized data, it is critical to have daily backup routines in place.

A hand-held multimedia computer optimized for communication tasks and featuring a touch screen and internet connection.

Almost everyone owns a smart phone today because they serve so many purposes and have become much more affordable over time.

A computer designed to perform resource intensive tasks such as weather prediction, big data calculations, or space research.

A typical supercomputer may have up to 100 processors and speeds are measured in tens of gigaflops.

A portable computer shaped in the form of a notebook and capable of advanced handwriting recognition via use of a stylus or on-screen keyboard.

Bill Gates predicted the rise of the tablet PC in 2001, but not much happened until Apple released the first iPad in 2010.

Computers designed to be worn on the wrist, head, or other places on the body often to improve mobility.

Smart watches and VR goggles are two popular forms of wearables.

A high quality computer, typically with lots of RAM, plenty of CPU power, and a high quality video card.

The engineer's latest 3d modeling project was so GPU intensive, that he wouldn't even begin it until his new workstation arrived.