Toshiba M200 User Manual

Page of 290
272
Glossary
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3
byte — A sequence of eight bits. A byte is the smallest addressable unit 
of data. See also bit, gigabyte, kilobytemegabyte.
C
cache — A section of very fast memory in which frequently used 
information is duplicated for quick access. Accessing data from 
cache is faster than accessing it from the computer’s main memory. 
See also CPU cache, L1 cache, L2 cache.
CD — An individual compact disc. See also CD-ROM.
CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) — A form of high-
capacity storage that uses laser optics instead of magnetic means for 
reading data. See also CD. Compare DVD-ROM.
central processing unit (CPU) — The chip that functions as the “brain” 
of the computer. It takes information from outside sources, such as 
memory or keyboard input, processes the information, and sends the 
results to another device that uses the information.
character — Any letter, number, or symbol you can use on the 
computer. Some characters are non-printing characters, such as a 
paragraph break in a word-processing program. A character 
occupies one byte of computer storage.
chip — A small piece of silicon containing computer logic and circuits 
for processing, memory, input/output, and/or control functions. 
Chips are mounted on printed circuit boards.
click — To press and release the primary control button adjacent to the 
TouchPad or the mouse button without moving the TouchPad or 
mouse. In the Windows
® 
operating system, this refers to the 
TouchPad left control button or the left mouse button, unless 
otherwise stated. See also double-click.
color palette — A set of specified colors that establishes the colors that 
can be displayed on the screen at a particular time.
compatibility — The extent to which computers, programs, or devices 
can work together harmoniously, using the same commands, 
formats, or language as another.
configuration — (1) The collection of components that make up a single 
computer system. (2) How parts of the system are set up (that is, 
configured).