Glossary · Hardware5G5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology, offering higher speeds, lower latency and greater device capacity than 4G.Glossary · HardwareAccelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor that measures acceleration, including gravity, and is used for screen rotation, step counting and motion detection.Glossary · HardwareArduinoArduino is an open-source electronics platform of microcontroller boards and software used to read sensors and control devices with simple programs.Glossary · HardwareARM vs x86ARM and x86 are two processor instruction set architectures; x86 dominates desktops and servers, while ARM is common in phones and efficient laptops.Glossary · HardwareASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit)An ASIC is a chip designed for one specific task, offering high speed and efficiency but no flexibility and a large up-front design cost.Glossary · HardwareBIOS and UEFIBIOS and UEFI are firmware that initializes hardware at power-on and starts the operating system; UEFI is the modern replacement for BIOS.Glossary · HardwareBluetoothBluetooth is a short-range wireless standard for connecting devices such as headphones, keyboards and phones, using the 2.4 GHz band.Glossary · HardwareBus (Computer Bus)A computer bus is a set of electrical pathways that carries data, addresses and control signals between components such as the CPU, memory and peripherals.Glossary · HardwareCache MemoryCache memory is a small, very fast memory close to the processor that stores recently used data so the CPU avoids slower RAM access.Glossary · HardwareChipsetA chipset is the set of chips on a motherboard that manages data flow between the CPU, memory, storage and peripherals.Glossary · HardwareClock SpeedClock speed is the rate, measured in gigahertz, at which a processor's internal clock ticks and its circuits step through operations.Glossary · HardwareCPU (Central Processing Unit)A CPU is the main processor of a computer, the chip that executes program instructions and coordinates the other components.Glossary · HardwareCPU CoreA CPU core is an independent processing unit inside a processor that can execute its own stream of instructions.Glossary · HardwareCPU ThreadA CPU thread is a sequence of instructions scheduled for execution; hardware threads let one core run two instruction streams at once.Glossary · HardwareDDR5 (Double Data Rate 5)DDR5 is the fifth generation of DDR SDRAM, offering higher data rates, on-module power management and two independent channels per module.Glossary · HardwareDevice DriverA device driver is software that lets the operating system communicate with a specific piece of hardware such as a GPU, printer or network card.Glossary · HardwareDisplayPortDisplayPort is a digital display interface used mainly on PCs and monitors, supporting high resolutions, high refresh rates and daisy-chained displays.Glossary · HardwareDRAM (Dynamic RAM)DRAM is volatile memory that stores each bit as charge in a tiny capacitor and must be refreshed constantly, forming the main memory of computers.Glossary · HardwareE-Ink (Electronic Paper)E-ink is a reflective display technology that holds an image without power using charged particles, giving paper-like reading with very low energy use.Glossary · HardwareECC Memory (Error-Correcting Code RAM)ECC memory is RAM with extra bits that detect and correct single-bit errors, used in servers and workstations where data integrity matters.Glossary · HardwareeSIMAn eSIM is a SIM built into a device that is activated by downloading a carrier profile instead of inserting a physical card.Glossary · HardwareFacial Recognition (Face ID)Facial recognition identifies or verifies a person by analysing facial features; phone systems like Face ID use 3D depth sensing for unlocking.Glossary · HardwareFast ChargingFast charging delivers more power to a device's battery than standard charging, using higher voltage or current negotiated with the charger.Glossary · HardwareFingerprint SensorA fingerprint sensor captures the ridge pattern of a finger to unlock a device or confirm identity, using optical, capacitive or ultrasonic technology.Glossary · HardwareFirmwareFirmware is low-level software stored on a hardware device that controls how that device operates and is updated far less often than apps.Glossary · HardwareFoldable DisplayA foldable display is a flexible screen, usually OLED on a plastic or ultra-thin glass layer, that can bend at a hinge and open into a larger surface.Glossary · HardwareFPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)An FPGA is a chip whose digital logic can be reconfigured after manufacturing, letting engineers build custom hardware circuits in software-defined form.Glossary · HardwareGB vs GiBGB uses powers of ten (1 GB is 1,000,000,000 bytes), while GiB uses powers of two (1 GiB is 1,073,741,824 bytes).Glossary · HardwareGPS (Global Positioning System)GPS is a satellite navigation system in which a receiver calculates its position and time from signals sent by several satellites.Glossary · HardwareGyroscopeA gyroscope is a sensor that measures angular velocity, how fast a device is rotating, and is used for orientation tracking in phones, drones and headsets.Glossary · HardwareHDD (Hard Disk Drive)An HDD is a storage device that stores data magnetically on spinning platters read by moving heads, offering large capacity at low cost.Glossary · HardwareHDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)HDMI is a connector and standard that carries uncompressed digital video and audio between devices such as PCs, consoles and displays.Glossary · HardwareHDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR is a display and video technology that expands the range between the darkest and brightest parts of an image for more realistic contrast.Glossary · HardwareHeadphone DriversA headphone driver is the tiny speaker in each earcup that turns an electrical signal into sound; main types are dynamic, planar magnetic and balanced armature.Glossary · HardwareHeat SinkA heat sink is a passive metal component with fins that draws heat away from a chip and spreads it into the surrounding air.Glossary · HardwareIMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)An IMEI is a unique 15-digit number that identifies a mobile device on cellular networks, used for blocking stolen phones and verifying devices.Glossary · HardwareInkjet vs Laser PrinterAn inkjet printer sprays liquid ink through tiny nozzles, while a laser printer fuses powdered toner onto paper with a drum and heat.Glossary · HardwareIntegrated vs Dedicated GraphicsIntegrated graphics share the CPU's chip and system memory, while a dedicated graphics card has its own GPU and VRAM for heavier workloads.Glossary · HardwareIoT (Internet of Things)IoT is the network of physical devices with sensors and software that connect to the internet to collect and exchange data.Glossary · HardwareIPS vs VA vs TN (Monitor Panel Types)IPS, VA and TN are the three main LCD panel technologies, trading off colour accuracy, contrast, viewing angles and response speed.Glossary · HardwareLiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)LiDAR measures distance by timing laser pulses that bounce off objects, building a 3D map of the surroundings.Glossary · HardwareLiquid CoolingLiquid cooling uses a pump, coolant, cold plate and radiator to move heat away from a processor, either as a sealed all-in-one unit or a custom loop.Glossary · HardwaremAh (Milliampere-Hour)mAh is a unit of battery charge capacity; a higher number generally means a battery can run a device longer, if voltage is comparable.Glossary · HardwareMatter (Smart Home Standard)Matter is an open smart home standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance that lets devices from different brands work together locally over IP.Glossary · HardwareMbps vs MBpsMbps means megabits per second and MBps means megabytes per second; one byte is 8 bits, so 8 Mbps equals 1 MBps.Glossary · HardwareMicrophone Types (Dynamic, Condenser, MEMS)Microphone types describe how a mic turns sound into an electrical signal; the main kinds are dynamic, condenser, ribbon and MEMS.Glossary · HardwaremicroSD CardA microSD card is a thumbnail-sized flash memory card used in phones, cameras and single-board computers, with speed ratings that vary widely.Glossary · HardwareMotherboardThe motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer that connects the CPU, memory, storage and expansion cards and supplies them with power.Glossary · HardwareNAND FlashNAND flash is non-volatile memory that stores data in transistor cells and is the storage technology inside SSDs, USB drives, phones and memory cards.Glossary · HardwareNAS (Network Attached Storage)A NAS is a dedicated storage device on a network that shares files with many computers and devices, usually using several drives in RAID.Glossary · HardwareNFC (Near Field Communication)NFC is a very short-range wireless technology, working within a few centimeters, used for contactless payments, badges and quick pairing.Glossary · HardwareNoise Cancellation (ANC)Active noise cancellation uses microphones and a speaker to produce sound that is the inverse of ambient noise, cancelling steady low-frequency sounds.Glossary · HardwareNPU (Neural Processing Unit)An NPU is a processor block specialised for the matrix math of neural networks, running AI tasks on-device with high efficiency and low power.Glossary · HardwareNVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)NVMe is a storage protocol designed for flash drives that connects directly over PCIe, delivering much higher speed than SATA.Glossary · HardwareOLED vs LCDOLED displays light each pixel individually, giving true blacks, while LCDs use a backlight behind liquid crystal layers.Glossary · HardwareOverclockingOverclocking is running a processor, GPU or memory at a higher frequency than the manufacturer's rated speed to gain performance.Glossary · HardwarePCIe (PCI Express)PCIe is the high-speed serial bus that connects graphics cards, NVMe drives and other expansion devices to the CPU and chipset.Glossary · HardwarePSU (Power Supply Unit)A PSU converts mains AC power into the stable low-voltage DC power that a computer's components need, rated by wattage and efficiency.Glossary · HardwareQuantum ComputingQuantum computing uses qubits that exploit superposition and entanglement to solve certain problems that classical computers handle inefficiently.Glossary · HardwareRAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)RAID combines several physical drives into one logical volume to improve speed, fault tolerance or both, depending on the RAID level chosen.Glossary · HardwareRAM (Random Access Memory)RAM is fast, temporary memory where a computer keeps the data and programs it is actively using; its contents are lost without power.Glossary · HardwareRaspberry PiRaspberry Pi is a family of low-cost single-board computers that run Linux on an ARM processor and expose GPIO pins for hardware projects.Glossary · HardwareRefresh RateRefresh rate is how many times per second a display redraws the image, measured in hertz; higher rates look smoother.Glossary · HardwareRFID (Radio-Frequency Identification)RFID uses radio waves to read data from a tag attached to an object, enabling contactless identification for inventory, access cards and tolls.Glossary · HardwareROM (Read-Only Memory)ROM is non-volatile memory whose contents persist without power and are normally written once, used to store firmware and boot code.Glossary · HardwareSATA (Serial ATA)SATA is a common interface that connects internal storage drives such as HDDs and SSDs to a computer's motherboard.Glossary · HardwareScannerA scanner is a device that converts a physical document or image into a digital file by sweeping light across it and recording the reflected light.Glossary · HardwareScreen ResolutionScreen resolution is the number of pixels a display shows horizontally and vertically, such as 1920 by 1080, which sets image sharpness.Glossary · HardwareSIM Card (Subscriber Identity Module)A SIM card is a small chip that stores the subscriber identity and keys a phone needs to authenticate with a mobile network.Glossary · HardwareSmart HomeA smart home is a household where connected devices such as lights, locks, sensors and thermostats are monitored and controlled remotely or automatically.Glossary · HardwareSoC (System on a Chip)An SoC integrates the CPU, GPU, memory controller and other components onto a single chip, common in phones, tablets and some laptops.Glossary · HardwareSSD (Solid State Drive)An SSD is a storage device that keeps data in flash memory chips with no moving parts, making it much faster and sturdier than a hard disk.Glossary · HardwareStylusA stylus is a pen-shaped input tool for touchscreens and tablets; active styluses add pressure sensitivity, tilt detection and palm rejection.Glossary · HardwareSurge ProtectorA surge protector is a power strip with components that divert short voltage spikes away from connected devices to protect their electronics.Glossary · HardwareTDP (Thermal Design Power)TDP is a manufacturer rating, in watts, of the heat a processor's cooler is designed to dissipate under sustained load, not its exact power draw.Glossary · HardwareThermal PasteThermal paste is a thermally conductive compound applied between a chip and its cooler to fill microscopic gaps and improve heat transfer.Glossary · HardwareThermal ThrottlingThermal throttling is when a processor or device lowers its speed automatically to prevent overheating, reducing performance.Glossary · HardwareThunderboltThunderbolt is a high-speed interface from Intel and Apple that combines PCIe data, DisplayPort video and power over one cable, usually USB-C.Glossary · HardwareTLC vs QLC NANDTLC stores three bits per flash cell and QLC stores four, so QLC is denser and cheaper per gigabyte but slower and less durable.Glossary · HardwareTouchscreenA touchscreen is a display that detects finger or stylus contact, most often with capacitive sensing, or with resistive, infrared or acoustic designs.Glossary · HardwareTPM (Trusted Platform Module)A TPM is a secure chip or firmware module that stores cryptographic keys and verifies system integrity during boot.Glossary · HardwareUPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)A UPS is a battery-backed power device that keeps equipment running briefly during an outage and conditions the incoming power.Glossary · HardwareUSB (Universal Serial Bus)USB is a standard for connecting peripherals and storage to computers, covering data transfer, power delivery and connector shapes.Glossary · HardwareUSB-CUSB-C is a small, reversible 24-pin connector used for data, video and power; it describes the plug shape, not the speed.Glossary · HardwareVR HeadsetA VR headset is a head-worn display with motion tracking that immerses the wearer in a computer-generated 3D environment.Glossary · HardwareVRAM (Video RAM)VRAM is the dedicated high-speed memory on a graphics card that stores textures, frame buffers and other data the GPU needs to render images.Glossary · HardwareWebcamA webcam is a small digital camera, built into a laptop or attached by USB, that streams live video to a computer for calls, streaming and recording.Glossary · HardwareWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 is the 802.11ax wireless standard, improving speed, efficiency and performance with many devices on 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.Glossary · HardwareZ-WaveZ-Wave is a low-power wireless mesh protocol for smart home devices that uses sub-gigahertz radio frequencies instead of the crowded 2.4 GHz band.Glossary · HardwareZigbeeZigbee is a low-power wireless mesh protocol based on IEEE 802.15.4, widely used by smart lights, sensors and switches.