Texas Instruments 3000 - Manual (Page 14)

Learning About Hardware
RAM
RAM (random access memory) stores data and application software for the processor.
You can write to or read from RAM freely, but once the power is turned off, the data in
RAM is lost. RAM size is described by the amount of information (bytes) it can store.
Symbols often used for this are "K" and "M". One K byte (1 K byte) represents 1024 bytes
and one M byte (1 M byte) represents 1024 K bytes. K bytes and M bytes are shown in
this manual as KB and MB, respectively.
The TravelMate 3000 has a standard RAM size of 2 MB. This can be increased up to 6
MB by installing up to two optional RAM modules.
ROM
ROM (read-only memory) contains factory-programmed information that remains stored
even with the power switch turned off. You cannot change the contents of ROM. The
TravelMate 3000 ROM, sometimes called firmware, is used to store the IPL (initial
program loader), BIOS (basic input/output system), and Setup Program functions.
Keyboard
You communicate with a computer by typing on the keyboard. Many of the keys work
like those on a standard typewriter. However, some keys have special functions not
available on a typewriter. The TravelMate 3000 keyboard is modeled after the IBM ®
101/102-key enhanced keyboard layout.
LCD Screen
The LCD (liquid crystal display) screen acts as a window for the computer to send
information for you to view. Information you enter on the keyboard, or information read
from the hard disk or a floppy, or sent via a modem, is displayed on the screen.
1-4 Taking a First Look