Computer Fundamentals
Copyrightď›™ 1997 Sean Walton
1HARDWARE: “WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO BUY A COMPUTER?”.................................... 5
1.1WHAT PIECES ARE FOUND IN A COMPUTER?........................................................................................................7
1.2PERSONAL COMPUTER HISTORY....................................................................................................................... 10
1.2.1Microprocessor Revolution/Evolution.............................................................................................. 11
1.2.1.1Processor Families....................................................................................................................................
11
1.2.1.2Clock Speeds............................................................................................................................................. 11
1.2.1.3Faster is Better..........................................................................................................................................
12
1.2.2Displays............................................................................................................................................. 14
1.2.2.1Monitor Operation....................................................................................................................................
15
1.2.2.2Health Concerns........................................................................................................................................ 16
1.2.3Storage Leaps.................................................................................................................................... 16
1.2.4Memory Dumps................................................................................................................................. 19
1.3WHAT DO I NEED?....................................................................................................................................... 20
1.3.1Depends on Use.....................