MB
The megabyte (MB) is a unit of digital information storage and data capacity equal to 1,000,000 bytes according to the decimal (SI) convention predominantly used by storage device manufacturers or 1,048,576 bytes (220) according to the binary convention historically favored in computing contexts like RAM measurement.[1][2] This duality stems from computing's binary foundations, where powers of two align with addressable memory, contrasted with storage marketing practices that inflate apparent capacities via base-10 multiples.[1] Introduced in the early 1970s as data volumes grew beyond kilobytes, the megabyte standardized file sizing, memory specifications, and bandwidth metrics, though persistent definitional ambiguity has fueled consumer confusion and prompted the IEC's 1998 standardization of mebibyte (MiB) for unambiguous binary use (1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes).[3][2] In practice, modern hard drives label capacities in decimal MB to report higher figures—e.g., a "1 TB" drive yields about 931 GiB usable space—highlighting how empirical binary realities often diverge from advertised metrics.[1][4]Technology and computing
Data storage and transmission units
The megabyte (MB) is a unit of digital information commonly used to quantify data storage capacity and transmission rates. In the decimal system aligned with the International System of Units (SI), 1 MB equals 1,000,000 bytes (10^6 bytes).[2] This definition is standard for most data storage manufacturers, such as those producing hard disk drives, where capacities are advertised using powers of 1,000 to reflect the physical addressing of sectors.[1] In binary computing contexts, particularly for random-access memory (RAM) and some software file sizes, 1 MB traditionally denotes 1,048,576 bytes (2^20 bytes), derived from the base-2 architecture of digital systems.[1] This discrepancy arose historically in the 1970s as computing jargon adapted the SI prefix "mega-" (meaning 10^6) to binary powers for convenience in addressing memory modules that doubled in size (e.g., from 512 KB to 1 MB).[3] To resolve confusion, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standardized binary prefixes in 1998, defining the mebibyte (MiB) as exactly 2^20 bytes (1,048,576 bytes), while reserving MB strictly for the decimal 10^6 bytes.[5] Operating systems like Windows and macOS often display file sizes using binary equivalents but label them as MB, contributing to user misunderstandings about actual capacity.[6] For data transmission, MB typically measures throughput in bytes per second (MB/s), as in network or peripheral transfer speeds. For instance, a USB 3.0 interface rated at 5 Gbps equates to approximately 625 MB/s theoretically, accounting for the 8 bits per byte conversion.[7] Transmission rates are frequently quoted in megabits per second (Mbps) by internet service providers, where 1 MB/s corresponds to 8 Mbps, highlighting the bit-byte distinction to avoid overestimating download speeds for file transfers.[8] Early adoption in the 1980s saw MB/s used for metrics like floppy disk read/write speeds, evolving with technologies such as Ethernet and SSDs, where real-world rates often fall below theoretical maxima due to protocol overhead.[2]| Context | MB Definition | Equivalent Bytes | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal (SI/storage) | 10^6 bytes | 1,000,000 | Hard drive capacities, SI-compliant labeling[1] |
| Binary (memory) | 2^20 bytes | 1,048,576 | RAM modules, legacy software addressing[1] |
| IEC Binary Prefix | MiB (not MB) | 1,048,576 | Precise binary measurements in modern standards[5] |
| Transmission | MB/s (decimal) | 1,000,000 bytes/second | Data transfer rates, e.g., SSD I/O[9] |
Hardware and software components
In computing, the abbreviation MB commonly refers to the motherboard, the central printed circuit board (PCB) that serves as the foundation for most personal computer systems by interconnecting core hardware components such as the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and storage devices.[10][11] The motherboard provides electrical connectivity through traces and buses, enabling data transfer between peripherals and the CPU at speeds determined by its chipset and interconnect standards like PCIe.[12] It typically includes sockets for CPU installation, DIMM slots for RAM modules (often supporting capacities from 8 GB to over 128 GB per slot depending on the model), and integrated controllers for USB ports, SATA connections, and network interfaces.[13] Key hardware elements on a motherboard include the chipset, which comprises the northbridge (historically handling high-speed graphics and memory) and southbridge (managing I/O functions), though modern designs integrate these into the CPU or use unified chipsets like Intel's Z-series or AMD's X-series for platforms such as LGA 1700 or AM5 sockets released in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Expansion slots, such as PCIe 5.0 x16 for graphics cards (offering bandwidth up to 128 GB/s bidirectional as of 2022 implementations), allow modular upgrades, while onboard power phases (e.g., 16+ phases in high-end boards) regulate voltage for stable overclocking. Form factors like ATX (305 mm × 244 mm, standardized since 1997) dominate consumer builds for their balance of size and expandability, whereas micro-ATX suits compact systems. From a software perspective, the motherboard interfaces with firmware such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or its successor UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which initializes hardware during boot and provides a low-level interface for the operating system to access components. UEFI, mandatory in systems since around 2011 for Windows compatibility, supports features like secure boot (enabled by default on many boards to verify OS loaders against digital signatures) and GPT partitioning for drives exceeding 2 TB. Motherboard vendors like ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI release firmware updates via tools such as EZ Flash or Q-Flash, often addressing vulnerabilities like Spectre/Meltdown mitigations patched in updates from 2018 onward or improving compatibility with new CPUs without hardware changes. These updates, typically delivered as binary files flashed through USB, exemplify how software layers calibrate hardware performance, such as enabling XMP profiles for RAM overclocking to achieve rated speeds like DDR5-6000 MT/s. No widely standardized software component bears the MB abbreviation in computing contexts, though proprietary tools from manufacturers (e.g., Intel's Extreme Tuning Utility) interact directly with motherboard sensors for monitoring temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds in real time.Publications
The megabyte (MB) as a data storage unit has been defined and clarified through international standards publications addressing ambiguities between decimal (powers of 10) and binary (powers of 2) interpretations. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard IEC 80000-13:2008 (Quantities and units—Part 13: Information science and technology) formally distinguishes the megabyte as 1,000,000 bytes (10⁶ bytes) for decimal usage, while introducing the mebibyte (MiB) as exactly 1,048,576 bytes (2²⁰ bytes) for binary contexts to resolve longstanding confusion in computing.[14] This standard, building on earlier IEC efforts like amendments to IEC 60027-2, emphasizes precision in information technology metrics, noting that pre-1990s computing conventions often defaulted to binary multiples without formal notation.[14] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard IEEE Std 1541-2002 (IEEE Standard for Prefixes for Binary Multiples) similarly advocates for binary prefixes such as mebi- (symbol Mi) to denote 2²⁰, recommending against ambiguous use of "mega" for binary values in engineering and computing documentation; it was revised in 2013 to align with IEC conventions. This publication arose from industry needs to standardize terminology amid discrepancies, such as RAM manufacturers using MB ≈ 1,048,576 bytes versus hard drive vendors favoring 1,000,000 bytes for capacity reporting. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides interpretive guidance in its Definitions of the SI Units: The Binary Prefixes (updated periodically, with key clarifications post-1998), endorsing IEC and IEEE distinctions and advising that traditional binary usage of MB (2²⁰ bytes) be replaced by MiB in technical publications to align with SI principles, though acknowledging persistent non-compliance in legacy software and hardware specifications.[1] These standards collectively aim to mitigate errors in data transmission and storage calculations, yet empirical surveys indicate ongoing preferential use of decimal MB in consumer storage marketing for larger apparent capacities.[1][14]Transportation and engineering
Automotive brands
Mercedes-Benz is a German multinational automotive manufacturer specializing in luxury passenger cars, commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks, with a reputation for engineering excellence and innovation. Headquartered in Stuttgart, the company traces its origins to the invention of the automobile in 1886, when Carl Benz patented the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, recognized as the first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine.[15] Parallel developments by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach laid the groundwork for motorized vehicles through Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG), established in 1890.[16] The Mercedes-Benz brand emerged in 1926 from the merger of Benz & Cie., founded by Carl Benz in 1883, and DMG, creating Daimler-Benz AG. The name "Mercedes" originated from a 1901 DMG model commissioned by Austrian businessman Emil Jellinek, named after his daughter Mercedes Jellinek, though it also evokes the Spanish word for "graces" or divine mercy.[15] This consolidation unified two pioneering firms under a single marque, symbolized by the three-pointed star representing land, sea, and air propulsion—later simplified to a circle-enclosed star. By the 1930s, Mercedes-Benz vehicles gained prominence in motorsport, winning the 1931 Grand Prix season and influencing designs like the Silver Arrows.[16] Mercedes-Benz has pioneered numerous automotive technologies that became industry standards, including the honeycomb radiator in 1901 for improved cooling efficiency, the first electric vehicle prototype in 1906, and the multivalve engine in 1910 for enhanced performance.[17] Further innovations encompass the supercharged engine in 1921, four-wheel independent suspension in 1931 for superior handling, and diesel passenger car engines in 1936, which improved fuel economy without sacrificing power. Post-World War II, the brand introduced safety features like the crumple zone in 1959 by Béla Barényi and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in 1978, reducing stopping distances on slippery surfaces by up to 30%.[17] In recent decades, Mercedes-Benz has shifted toward electrification, launching the EQ series in 2016 with models like the EQS achieving over 400 miles of range per charge, alongside investments in hydrogen fuel cells and autonomous driving via the Drive Pilot system approved for Level 3 autonomy in Germany in 2022.[18] The company, now Mercedes-Benz Group AG since its 2021 rebranding from Daimler AG, operates globally with production in 30 countries and sales exceeding 2.04 million passenger cars in 2023.[15] Iconic models include the S-Class luxury sedan, introduced in 1972 as a benchmark for refinement and technology, and the G-Class off-roader, produced since 1979 for military and civilian use. Mercedes-Benz dominates Formula One through its Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, securing eight consecutive Constructors' Championships from 2014 to 2021.[16] Despite its prestige, the brand has faced scrutiny over emissions scandals, including the 2016 "Dieselgate" revelations involving software manipulation to evade tests, leading to recalls and fines totaling over €1 billion in Europe.[19]Geography
Administrative divisions
Manitoba's local administration is conducted through 137 incorporated municipalities, which deliver essential services such as roads, water supply, waste management, and land-use planning. These municipalities are classified into urban and rural categories under The Municipal Act, with urban types including cities (requiring a minimum population of 5,000 for incorporation), towns (minimum 1,000), and villages (minimum 250), while rural municipalities govern expansive agricultural and resource-based areas without urban density requirements. Two local government districts, primarily in northern Manitoba, provide limited administrative functions in remote, unincorporated territories where full municipal incorporation is impractical due to low population density.[20] Cities represent the highest tier of urban municipalities, with 10 in total, including Winnipeg (population 749,607 as of the 2021 census), Brandon, and Steinbach, each empowered to enact bylaws on a broad range of local matters. Towns and villages, numbering 25 and 2 respectively, focus on smaller communities' needs, often emphasizing economic development tied to agriculture or tourism. Rural municipalities, totaling 98, cover approximately 80% of the province's land area but house only about 20% of its population, prioritizing infrastructure for farming, forestry, and mining activities.[21] Northern administrative challenges are addressed through the two local government districts—Keewatin and Mystery Lake—which manage basic taxation, fire protection, and community planning in areas outside standard municipal boundaries, reflecting the province's vast, low-density northern expanse. Amalgamations and boundary adjustments, overseen by the Manitoba Municipal Board, have periodically consolidated smaller entities to enhance efficiency, as seen in the 2015 mergers reducing the number of rural municipalities from 197 to 98.[22][23] For statistical and regional planning purposes, Manitoba is subdivided into 23 census divisions by Statistics Canada, but these lack formal administrative authority and serve primarily for data aggregation rather than governance. Regional health authorities, numbering five (Interlake-Eastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain, Southern, and Winnipeg), handle healthcare delivery but operate parallel to municipal structures without overlapping general administrative roles.[24]Settlements and landmarks
Winnipeg serves as Manitoba's capital and largest city, with a population of 749,607 recorded in the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada.[25] The city, located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, functions as the province's economic, cultural, and transportation hub, housing over half of Manitoba's total population. Brandon, the second-largest city, had 51,313 residents in 2021 and acts as a regional service center in the southwestern prairies, supporting agriculture and manufacturing.[26] Other notable settlements include Steinbach (population 17,806 in 2021), a rapidly growing community east of Winnipeg known for its Mennonite heritage, and Thompson (12,701 in 2021), a northern mining town centered on nickel production.[27][28]| Settlement | 2021 Population | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg | 749,607 | Provincial capital; major port and rail hub |
| Brandon | 51,313 | Agricultural and educational center; home to Brandon University |
| Steinbach | 17,806 | Industrial growth; largest urban Mennonite community in Canada |
| Thompson | 12,701 | Nickel mining operations; boreal forest location |
Academia and professional qualifications
Medical and academic degrees
The MB degree, denoting Medicinae Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Medicine in Latin), constitutes the foundational component of primary medical qualifications in various international systems, particularly in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth nations, and select European institutions. It is seldom awarded standalone but forms the core of combined undergraduate degrees such as MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) or MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Obstetrics), which prepare graduates for clinical practice following supervised training. These programs typically span 5 to 6 years, integrating preclinical sciences, clinical rotations, and surgical training, with entry requiring secondary education qualifications like A-levels in sciences.[30][31] In jurisdictions awarding the MB, such as the UK and Ireland, recipients gain provisional registration with bodies like the General Medical Council upon graduation, enabling supervised practice toward full licensure; this contrasts with the U.S. model, where an MD follows a separate bachelor's degree. The MBBS or equivalent is recognized internationally as comparable to the MD for residency eligibility and specialist training, though licensure reciprocity demands additional examinations like the USMLE for U.S. practice. For instance, McGill University in Canada awards MB as part of MB BCh BAO (Bachelor of Obstetrics), emphasizing comprehensive physician training.[32][33] Beyond medicine, MB lacks widespread recognition as a standalone academic degree in non-medical fields; isolated historical or specialized uses, such as in certain library sciences (Magister Bibliothecarum), exist but confer no professional equivalence to modern standards and are not actively awarded. Medical MB variants predominate in global accreditation frameworks, with over 100,000 annual graduates from MBBS programs in India alone, underscoring their role in addressing physician shortages through rigorous, evidence-based curricula.[34]Organizations and institutions
Commercial businesses
Meccanica Breganzese S.p.A., trading as MB Crusher, is an Italian engineering firm founded in 2001 in Vicenza, specializing in hydraulic crusher and screening attachments for excavators and other heavy machinery used in demolition, recycling, and mining operations. The company has expanded globally with subsidiaries including MB Deutschland GmbH and PT Meccanica Breganzese Indonesia, focusing on innovative solutions to process materials on-site and reduce transportation costs.[35][36] Media Blasters, Inc. (MB), established in 1997 in New York City, is an American independent entertainment distributor known for licensing and releasing anime, manga, Japanese live-action films, and horror titles to the North American market through labels like Anime Works, Tokyo Shock, and Kitty Media.[37] Despite financial challenges in the 2010s, including a 2012 bankruptcy filing resolved via restructuring, it continues operations in dubbing and home video distribution, with a focus on niche genre content.[38] MB Energy Holding GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is an integrated energy company founded in 1947 as Mabanaft and rebranded to MB Energy in May 2025 to emphasize sustainable solutions in transportation fuels, heating, and industrial supply across Europe and the U.S.[39][40] The firm operates storage terminals, bunkering services, and alternative energy portfolios, unifying subsidiaries like Oiltanking under its brand.[41] M-B Companies, Inc., based in Chilton, Wisconsin, manufactures specialized maintenance equipment including airport runway sweepers, pavement striping machines, and brush attachments for trucks and loaders, serving municipal, aviation, and transportation sectors as a division of the Aebi Schmidt Group since its acquisition.[42] Established with a focus on durable, custom-engineered products, it supplies front-mount brooms and snow plows through dealer networks and government contracts like Sourcewell.[43]Governmental and regulatory bodies
The Media Bureau (MB) of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating over-the-air broadcast radio and television stations, cable television operators, and related entities, including licensing, ownership rules, and competition policies. Established as part of the FCC's reorganization in 2002, it processes applications for new stations, handles enforcement actions against violations such as indecency, and promotes media innovation through policy development on digital television transitions and spectrum allocation.[44][45] The United States Metric Board (USMB) was a federal advisory agency created by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to coordinate voluntary adoption of the metric system across U.S. sectors, including planning public education campaigns and advising on procurement standards. Comprising 17 members appointed by the president, it operated from 1975 until its dissolution in 1982 under President Ronald Reagan's administration, which shifted emphasis away from centralized coordination toward private-sector initiatives.[46][47] Manitoba Hydro, frequently abbreviated as MB Hydro in official documents and operations, functions as a provincial Crown corporation under the Government of Manitoba, Canada, overseeing hydroelectric generation, transmission, distribution, and natural gas services for the province. Governed by the Manitoba Hydro Act of 1973, it manages 16 hydroelectric stations producing over 5,000 megawatts, exports surplus power to neighboring regions, and is regulated for public interest through rate approvals and environmental compliance by the Manitoba Public Utilities Board.[48][49]Individuals
Notable people
- Michelangelo Buonarroti (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance, best known for the Pietà (1498–1499), David (1501–1504), and the Sistine Chapel ceiling (1508–1512).
- Marlon Brando (3 April 1924 – 1 July 2004), American actor and film director, winner of two Academy Awards for Best Actor for On the Waterfront (1954) and The Godfather (1972), and a pioneer of method acting.
- Michael Bloomberg (born 14 February 1942), American businessman, politician, and philanthropist; founder of Bloomberg L.P. in 1981, mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013, and the 54th mayor with a net worth estimated at $106 billion as of October 2024.