Toshiba M500D User Manual page 198

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Glossary
capacity: The amount of information that can be stored in a computer's
memory or on a storage device such as a hard disk, diskette, or CD-
ROM. Capacity is usually measured in terms of kilobytes (KB),
megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). See also gigabyte, kilobyte,
megabyte.
CD (Compact Disc): Audio format in which sound is digitally encoded
on a 12 cm disc. An optical laser encodes and decodes the digital
data to produce exceptionally pure sound. It's durable and portable
and has random access.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory): A high-capacity
(approximately 600 MB) storage medium that uses laser optics
instead of magnetic means for reading data. The system can read
data from these discs, but cannot write data to the discs.
central processing unit (CPU): The chips where all the computing takes
place. The CPU is often referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It
takes information from outside sources, such as memory or
keyboard input, processes it and sends the results to another device
that uses the information.
channel: (1) A path for passing information between devices in a
computer system. (2) In communications, a means of transferring
information in analog or digital form. It may consist of a physical
link such as a cable or it may use infrared, radio, or optical
transmission.
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.
chassis: A metal frame on which computer components are mounted.
Typically a server has a main chassis, containing the motherboard
and other standard components, to which a number of additional
chassis containing optional components can be connected.
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. Sometimes referred to as a
cage.