What do I already know about computers?

     In the words of that great band 2NU, "This is ponderous."   I definitely have a long an interesting history with computers.  My next door naeighbor had a TI64 Computer.  I had a couple of different friends with Commadore 64 computers.  We mostly used them... or I should say I used them to play games.  I think a couple of my friends actually did do some simple basic programming.  Then, Apple IIe computers came out and my school got eight in our LMC with the "green screen".  I was even fortunate enough to convince my parents, along with my brother, to get an Apple IIe for home home with the amber screen.  Now we we cutting edge.   From there on out I've had pretty regular access to computers for word processing.
     Since high school I've used mostly PCs, with a Macs in graduate school and then more recently, so I feel pretty comfortable with my familiarity with computers.  That being said, there are somethings I would like to know more about.  I know that the higher the number when it comes to RAM, memory, storage space and processor speed is better.  I also know that a TB is bigger than a GB with is bigger than a MB, which is in turn bigger than a KB.  However, I'm not really sure of what all the numbers mean in comparison to each other when specking out a new piece of technology.   Is a 3.0 megahertz processor that much faster than a 2.4 megahertz processor? How much faster?   Or, how about RAM?  I know what it's function is.... but how much do I "need" for my computer to operate smoothly.  The same goes for graphics cards, etc.

      I generally know what I need, but I want to know the specifics on what those numbers mean, besides "larger number = good, small number = not so good".  I want to know more about the specifics needed for each type of computer (i.e. one for gaming vs. one for video editing) and what all of the various numbers mean in more concrete terms.  When I hear "faster", I want to know how much faster like when you talk about cars.  The don't say a Porche can  go 0~60 really fast..... faster than a Camery. They tell you exactly how many seconds.  I would like to learn more about those numbers and how fast they speed things up for the same process, like booting up or rendering video.

    Recently I had a talk with a co-worker about the changing roles of computers.  We were talking about the iPad vs buying a laptop.  My coworker commented on how she views the iPad as a way to make things portable.  Instead of hauling around a much larger laptop, it would be more conveinent. That got me to thinking.  As more and more things go onto the Internet and streaming, we may not need as much "power" per se'.  So, I am also interested in the various and changing roles technology is starting to take on.   I think this will also affect how we as teachers choose the technology we use in our classrooms.