CRT

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A type of monitor that works like a television. CRT stands for “cathode ray tube”.

Example
An older computer had a CRT instead of an LCD monitor.

drawing tablet

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that lets you draw digital pictures as though you were drawing on paper.

Example
The artist used a drawing tablet to create characters, so whatever he drew went directly from the tablet to the computer.

hot-pluggable

adjective

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
Able to be connected or disconnected safely while the computer is on.

Example
The USB cable is hot-pluggable, so it's safe to plug it in while the computer is still turned on.

inkjet printer

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that makes documents or photos by spraying tiny droplets of ink on paper.

Example
Inkjet printers are less expensive to buy than laser printers; however, the ink cartridges for inkjet printers can be very expensive.

input device

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that lets you send information or commands to the computer — for example, a keyboard.

Example
The main function of an input device is to send information to the computer.

laser printer

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that makes documents by melting dry powder, called toner, onto paper.

Example
Laser printers are more efficient, and they print files more clearly, than inkjet printers do.

LCD

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A thinner and more expensive type of monitor that works by applying electricity to any spot that needs to change. LCD stands for “liquid crystal display”.

Example
The display on my new LCD monitor is very clear.

output device

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that lets the computer send information to you — for example, a printer.

Example
A monitor is an output device because the computer sends information to the screen for you to see.

peripherals

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
The parts of a computer system that stay outside the computer case — for example, a monitor or a mouse.

Example
It is possible to get wireless peripherals, such as a wireless mouse, printer, or keyboard.

port

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
An opening in a computer where you connect the plug on the end of a cable.

Example
To connect your mouse to the computer, you will need to plug it into the port at the back of your computer.

PS/2 port

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
An older port used for keyboards and mice.

Example
On my old computer, the keyboard and mouse were plugged into the PS/2 port.

scanner

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that makes a digital copy of something flat, such as a document or photo.

Example
I used the scanner to copy a page from the book. It scanned the information directly into the computer.

USB port

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A common port used for printers, scanners, cameras, and many other devices.

Example
I plugged my webcam into the USB port on the computer.

webcam

noun

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
A peripheral that records videos or still pictures while staying in one place.

Example
We used the webcam in our office and communicated with the people in the Hong Kong office, who were also using their webcam. It was great because the webcams let us see each other on our monitors.

wireless

adjective

Unit 5 — IT Lesson

Definition
Not needing a cable to communicate with a computer; communicating by sending radio signals to a base station.

Example
It is possible to have a wireless connection in your home rather than a cable connection.