Information Technology • Hardware

Spec It Out

The user

    Your best so far

    Choose the parts

    Spec It Out — Explanation

    Every computer is a set of choices. Pick a user in the Build view, read what they need, then choose each part. Start with the form factor: it decides which other parts fit (a smartwatch can't hold a desktop processor). The readouts change as you go: suitability (how well the build fits this user), cost against their budget, and portability against what they need. Each choice explains itself, and Check my build marks every part with the reason. Parts explained compares the storage types and has three sorting sets: RAM or ROM, input or output, and magnetic, optical or solid state.

    Common exam mistakes: mixing up RAM and ROM (ROM is not "storage", and RAM is not where files are saved); calling RAM "storage" or saying more storage makes a computer faster; giving "it's better" as a reason (say why for this user: "no moving parts, so it won't break when the laptop is dropped"); forgetting that a touchscreen is input and output; and choosing the most powerful part every time, when it costs more and drains the battery.

    For AS Level: justify each choice against the user's needs, and weigh the trade-offs (performance against cost and portability), as 9626 questions on hardware ask.

    Objective: Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417) sections 1 to 3: types and components of computer systems, input and output devices, and storage devices and media; also Pearson Edexcel International GCSE ICT (4IT1) and IB Digital Society: computer systems and their choice for a purpose.

    Where this fits

    • Cambridge: Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417)
    • IB: IB Digital Society HL; IB Digital Society SL
    • Pearson Edexcel International: Edexcel International GCSE ICT (4IT1); Edexcel International A Level Information Technology

    Spec It Out — Key Terms

    Key concepts in English, with te reo Māori, Chinese (Simplified) and Korean.

    EnglishTe reo Māori中文（简体）한국어What it means on this page
    Processor (CPU)pūtukatuka matua中央处理器중앙 처리 장치The part of the computer that fetches, decodes and executes instructions. More cores and a higher clock speed do heavy work faster, but cost more, run hotter and drain a battery.
    Main Memoryno attested term主存储器 (zhǔ cúnchǔqì)주기억장치 (jugieokjangchi)The memory the processor reads directly: RAM and ROM.
    RAMno attested term随机存取存储器 (suíjī cúnqǔ cúnchǔqì)램 (raem)Random-access memory: main memory that holds the programs and data in use. It is volatile (its contents are lost when the power goes off) and can be read and written.
    ROMno attested term只读存储器 (zhǐdú cúnchǔqì)롬 (rom)Read-only memory: main memory that holds the start-up (boot) instructions, such as the BIOS. It is non-volatile and is not normally changed.
    Volatileno attested term易失性 (yìshīxìng)휘발성 (hwibalseong)Losing its contents when the power is switched off, as RAM does. ROM and backing storage are non-volatile.
    Backing Storageno attested term辅助存储器 (fǔzhù cúnchǔqì)보조기억장치 (bojogieokjangchi)Non-volatile storage that keeps programs and data when the power is off, such as a hard disk, an SSD, flash memory or an optical disc.
    Hard Disk Drive (HDD)no attested term硬盘驱动器 (yìngpán qūdòngqì)하드 디스크 드라이브 (hadeu diseukeu deuraibeu)Magnetic storage on spinning platters read by moving heads: cheap per gigabyte, with direct access.
    Solid-State Drive (SSD)no attested term固态硬盘 (gùtài yìngpán)솔리드 스테이트 드라이브 (sollideu seuteiteu deuraibeu)Storage made of flash memory chips, with no moving parts: fast, robust and silent.
    Optical Storageno attested term光存储 (guāng cúnchǔ)광 저장 장치 (gwang jeojang jangchi)Storage on a disc read by a laser: CD, DVD or Blu-ray.
    Cloud Storageno attested term云存储 (yún cúnchǔ)클라우드 스토리지 (keullaudeu seutoriji)Keeping files on a provider's servers, reached over the internet from any device.
    Input Deviceno attested term输入设备 (shūrù shèbèi)입력 장치 (imnyeok jangchi)A device that sends data into a computer, such as a keyboard, a microphone, a scanner or a sensor.
    Output Deviceno attested term输出设备 (shūchū shèbèi)출력 장치 (chullyeok jangchi)A device that brings the results of processing out of a computer, such as a monitor, a printer, a speaker or an actuator.
    Embedded Systemno attested term嵌入式系统 (qiànrùshì xìtǒng)임베디드 시스템 (imbedideu siseutem)A computer built into another device to do one dedicated job, such as the controller in a washing machine or a smart-home hub.

    On the te reo Māori column. Terms marked as gaps have no attested equivalent in the sources checked — Karaitiana Taiuru's Dictionary of Māori Computer and Social Media Terms, Paekupu, the Reserve Bank's te reo financial glossary, NZQA and Te Aka. No coinage is printed as though it were established; where a class needs one, commission it from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and credit the translator. Te reo Māori is not italicised and takes no plural "s".