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System Definitions

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The rated speed of a central processing unit (CPU) is usually expressed in megahertz (MHz.) Megahertz stands for millions of cycles per second. The higher the megahertz rating, the faster the processor. Most commands require a few cycles of the microprocessor to complete the operation. The greater amount of commands that can be processed each second allows the CPU to run applications faster. So your spreadsheet computes values quicker, your database performs searches faster, your word processor repaginates faster, and the action in your games appears smoother. An additional speed rating appearing now is measured in gigahertz (GHz), which is 1000 MHz. Therefore, 1000 MHz is the same as 1 GHz.


Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory is the temporary storage area where your programs reside while they're being used. RAM is volatile, meaning the contents of RAM is erased each time the computer is turned off. Each time you turn your computer on, RAM is again loaded with everything it takes to run your operating system. As you load a program for use, it goes into RAM. When you leave the program, it is removed from RAM. So, the more RAM you have the more programs that can be loaded at the same time. RAM is measured in megabytes (MB). One megabyte is roughly one million bytes. And it typically takes one byte to store one character. It used to be that 64 MB was sufficient for most users. But now, with the lower cost of RAM, and larger program size, it makes good sense to have at least 256 MB of RAM.


Hard Drive

Hard drives have platters on which your programs are stored. When you install a program, it is written to the hard drive. When you want to run that program, it is transferred from the hard drive into RAM. When you save a word processor file, it is written to the hard drive. And when you load that word processor file, it is transferred from the hard drive into RAM. The capacity of hard drives used to be measured in megabytes (MB). But with today's larger hard drive sizes, they're now measured in gigabytes (GB). And in a way similar to CPU speeds, 1 GB equals 1000 MB. Larger hard drives sizes allow the user to store more programs, more data, more digital photos, more MP3 files, more of everything. Our recommendation is buy a hard drive as large as you can afford. You will not regret it.


Monitor Size and Resolution

Monitor sizes keep getting bigger and bigger while becoming less and less expensive. A larger monitor allows the user to pack more information on the screen when a higher resolution is used. Resolution determines how large the individual elements are displayed. Resolution is measured in pixels (picture elements), with the horizontal value expressed first, followed by the vertical value. The higher the resolution, the smaller the elements will be. But, the user won't have to scroll up and down or left and right to view all of the information on the page. The minimum recommended monitor size is 17". This allows the user to comfortably use a resolution of 1024 by 768. With a 19" monitor, a resolution of 1280 by 1024 can be used. If you want to use a high resolution, make sure you choose a larger monitor.
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