Mainframe A mainframe computer is a powerful computer meant for high-volume data processing. Mainframes have a large amount of memory, many parallel processors, and a high data input/output capacity. Large organizations and business use mainframes for high-volume data analysis, database management, resource tracking, and transaction processing. Mainframe computers are considered the second-most powerful variety of …
Media The word “media” has many uses in the context of computers and digital communication. It may refer to digital media content, like images and video, that has been published for broadcast or digital distribution. The collective noun “media” often refers to the companies that make and distribute digital media content. “Media” may also refer …
Memory Computer memory refers to any medium that stores digital data to be accessed and used by a computer. The term often refers to a computer’s primary system memory, or RAM, that temporarily stores active programs and files. However, it may also refer to a computer’s storage devices like hard drives, solid-state drives, and removable …
Memory Module A memory module is another name for a RAM chip. It is often used as a general term used to describe SIMM, DIMM, and SO-DIMM memory. While there are several different types of memory modules available, they all serve the same purpose, which is to store temporary data while the computer is running. …
Memory Stick Memory Stick is a type of flash memory developed by Sony. It is used to store data for digital cameras, camcorders, and other kinds of electronics. Because Memory Stick is a proprietary Sony product, it is used by nearly all of Sony’s products that use flash media. Unfortunately, this also means Memory Stick …
Mesh Wi-Fi A mesh Wi-Fi system is a series of Wi-Fi routers that work together to create a single wireless network. The goal is to provide a reliable and consistent wireless signal across a large home or workspace. A basic Wi-Fi network uses a single router to broadcast a wireless signal to multiple devices. While …
Microcomputer A microcomputer is a computer designed for individual use. The term was introduced in the 1970s to differentiate desktop computer systems from larger minicomputers. It is often used synonymously with the term “desktop computer,” but it may refer to a server or laptop as well. In the 1960s and 1970s, computers were much larger …
Microcontroller A microcontroller (or MCU for “microcontroller unit) is a small integrated circuit that controls an electronic device. It is similar to a microprocessor but includes memory and other integrated components. A typical microcontroller includes the following elements: CPU – ranging from a simple 4-bit processor to a full-blown 64-bit processor RAM – high-speed volatile …
Microphone A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting sound waves into an electrical signal. This signal can be amplified as an analog signal or may be converted to a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or other digital audio device. While all microphones (or “mics”) serve the same basic …
Minicomputer While a minicomputer sounds like a small computer, the name can be a bit misleading. In fact, minicomputers are several times the size of desktop PCs and are only one step below mainframes in the hierarchy of computer classes. The term “minicomputer” was introduced in the 1960s to describe powerful computers that were not …