Moore’s Law (Textbook, Ch. 6): The observation that computing power roughly doubles every 18 months. Example: Smartphones outperforming old supercomputers.
Price elasticity of demand (technology) (Textbook, Ch. 6): As computing power becomes cheaper, demand increases rapidly. Example: Cheap sensors enabling smart devices.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) (Textbook, Ch. 6): A general‑purpose processor that controls system operations. Example: CPUs handling operating system tasks.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) (Textbook, Ch. 6): A processor optimized for parallel computation. Example: GPUs training AI models.
Semiconductor (Textbook, Ch. 6): A material that can conduct or block electricity under specific conditions. Example: Silicon chips.
Transistor (Textbook, Ch. 6): A microscopic electronic switch that represents binary data. Example: Billions of transistors on modern chips.
Latency vs. bandwidth (Textbook, Ch. 6): Latency measures delay; bandwidth measures data capacity. Example: Gaming needs low latency; streaming needs high bandwidth.
eWaste (Textbook, Ch. 6): Discarded electronic devices that can harm the environment if not recycled. Example: Throwing away old computers.
Internet of Things (IoT) (Textbook, Ch. 6): Connected devices that collect and share data. Example: Smart thermostats.
Konana’s model of the software ecosystem (Textbook, Ch. 6): Layered dependencies between hardware, operating systems, and applications that create lock‑in. Example: iPhone hardware tied to iOS and the App Store.
Memory (Textbook, Ch. 6): Temporary workspace for active programs and data. Example: Applications loaded into RAM.
Microprocessor (Textbook, Ch. 6): The central calculating engine of a computer. Example: Apple M‑series chips.
Non‑volatile (Textbook, Ch. 6): Storage that retains data without power. Example: USB drives.
Quantum computing (Textbook, Ch. 6): Computing using quantum bits to solve complex problems. Example: Rapid genetic analysis.
Storage (Textbook, Ch. 6): Hardware for long‑term data retention. Example: SSDs.
Volatile (Textbook, Ch. 6): Memory that loses data when power is off. Example: Unsaved RAM data.
Why does demand for computing increase as prices fall?
Which processors best match system control and AI workloads?
Why are GPUs ideal for AI training?
Why was Apple’s emulator important for M‑series CPUs?
Which pairing best matches application needs?