Discover fascinating advancements that shaped modern hardware in this easy, fact-packed trivia on personal computing, storage, display, and more. A perfect introduction to breakthroughs that power today's devices.
Which company developed the first M1 chip for personal computers?
Explanation: Apple created the first M1 chip specifically for personal computers, integrating CPU, GPU, and memory into one chip. Intel and AMD are significant chip manufacturers, but did not release the M1. The M1 marked a new era in desktop and laptop performance for Apple devices.
What ultra-small storage device replaced floppy disks and CDs for portable file transfer?
Explanation: Pendrives (USB flash drives) revolutionized data portability with their tiny size and high capacity. SD cards serve primarily as storage for cameras and devices, not universal file transfer. Zip Drives were an earlier attempt but became obsolete as flash drives gained popularity.
Which display technology is well-known for providing deeper blacks and better contrast in screens?
Explanation: OLED displays achieve deeper blacks because each pixel emits its own light, allowing true black where needed. LCD screens use backlighting, preventing true black levels. Plasma offers good contrast but not as deep as OLED and is now largely outdated.
Which type of drive has no moving parts and enables much faster access speed than traditional hard drives?
Explanation: Solid State Drives (SSD) use flash memory with no moving components, resulting in faster access and reliability. HDDs use spinning platters, making them slower. Hybrid Drives combine HDDs with SSD cache but still rely on mechanical parts.
Which connector replaced VGA and DVI to provide high-definition audio and video output in most devices?
Explanation: HDMI became the widespread standard for transferring both high-definition video and audio using one cable. DisplayPort is popular in some PCs but less universal. Thunderbolt is powerful, but HDMI is more prevalent for displays and TVs.
What technology allows certain smartphones and gadgets to be charged wirelessly by placing them on a compatible pad?
Explanation: Qi is a widely used wireless charging standard for electronic devices. NFC is mainly for data communication, not charging. Bluetooth provides wireless connectivity but cannot charge devices.
What is the name for a chip that integrates the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine into a single semiconductor package?
Explanation: A System on Chip (SoC) integrates various computing components like CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine into one chip, making devices more compact and efficient. RAM refers to system memory, and FPGA is a programmable logic device, not an all-in-one processor.
Which cooling method uses liquid instead of air fans to manage heat in high-performance computers?
Explanation: Liquid cooling circulates coolant to transfer heat away from components, providing efficient cooling for powerful systems. Passive cooling relies on no moving parts and is less effective for high heat. Heat sinks dissipate heat but often still require fans.
Which processor architecture is known for enabling energy-efficient mobile devices like smartphones and tablets?
Explanation: ARM architecture is designed for low power consumption, making it the leading choice for mobile and embedded devices. The x86 architecture dominates desktops but consumes more power. RISC-V is newer and growing, but less widely adopted in mobile.
Which 3D printing technique creates objects by melting plastic filament and depositing it layer by layer?
Explanation: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most common method using melted plastic filament for 3D printing. SLA uses resin and lasers, while SLS uses powdered material, making them distinct from FDM's extruding filament method.