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Thinking Outside the Box: An Introduction to Computer Hardware

Learn about computer hardware components, input and output devices, storage options, and how hard drives and optical storage work. Discover the basics of peripherals, memory cards, and important characteristics of LCD monitors.

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Thinking Outside the Box: An Introduction to Computer Hardware

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  1. Computer Hardware & ProcessingOutside the Box CSA 105 1.0 September 7, 2010

  2. Computers Are Data-Processing Devices • A computer’s four major functions: • Gathers data (users input data) • Processes data into information • Outputs data or information • Stores data and information • Plus • Computers can communicate with other computers

  3. Data vs. Information • Data: Representation of a fact, figure, or idea • Information: Organized, meaningful data

  4. Bits and Bytes: The Language of Computers Bit Binary digit 0 or 1 Abbreviation “b” Byte 8 bits Abbreviation “B” Each letter, number, and character is a string of eight 0s and 1s

  5. Counting Bytes

  6. Computer Hardware & Computer Software Computer Hardware Computer Software Intangible instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Systems Software Applications Software • Anything you can kick

  7. Basic Computer Hardware Components • System Unit – everything in the box • Motherboard, CPU, memory • Peripheral Devices – everything outside of the box • Keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer • Storage Devices – where data/information gets stored • Hard drive, CD/DVD, flash drive, memory cards

  8. Input Devices • Translates what humans understand into a format the computer understands • Different types of devices for different types of data • Keyboard • Mouse/pointing device • Microphone • Scanner • Digital camera • Stylus

  9. Keyboards • Used for entering text and commands. • The QWERTY layout is standard on most PCs. • Enhanced keyboard features include number, function, and navigation keys. • Notebook keys are smaller and use a function key to expand functionality.

  10. So what is this??

  11. More Specialty Keyboards • Virtual laser keyboard • Configurable keyboard

  12. Point and Draw Devices • Optical mouse • Needs no mouse pad • Doesn’t need cleaning • Trackball • Easier on wrists • Stays stationary on desk

  13. More Point and Draw Devices • Wireless mouse • Uses radio or light waves • Touchpad • When a mouse just won’t do

  14. Other Text and Command Input Devices • Game controllers • Touchscreens • Digital pens

  15. Image Input Devices Digital cameras, camcorders, and cell phones Webcams Live video • Still images • Video

  16. Sound Input Device • Microphones are used for: • Podcasts • Video-conferencing • Internet phone calls • Speech recognition

  17. Output Devices Convert what the computer understands into a format that humans understand Output can be in two formats Hardcopy – tangible Printouts Softcopy – in tangible Video, sound, images on monitors

  18. LCD Monitors • LCD – Liquid Crystal Display • Screens are grids made up of millions of pixels • Each pixel is represented by a bit pattern comprised of a combination of red, green, and blue • Liquid crystal is sandwiched between two transparent layers to form images

  19. LCD Monitor Characteristics • Resolution – total number of pixels, can be changed • Screen size • 21” monitor - 1680x1050 pixels • 19” monitor - 1440x900 pixels or 1280x1024 pixels • Wide screen vs. standard 4:3 ratio • Viewing angle – visibility from the side • Contrast ratio – brightest white to darkest black • Brightness – greatest amount of light when displaying pure white • Response time – time it takes for a pixel to change color

  20. Printer Categories • Impact printers • Dot-matrix • Nonimpact printers • Inkjet • Laser • Specialty printers • All-in-one • Plotters • Thermal

  21. Nonimpact Printers Inkjet Laser More expensive device Faster printing speed Color lasers are becoming less expensive • Less expensive device • Print high-quality color images cost effectively

  22. Printer Characteristics • Speed (ppm) • Resolution (dpi) • Color output • Memory • Use and cost • Cost of consumables

  23. Storage Devices • Non-volatile • Almost permanent • Types of computer storage devices • Internal hard drive • USB flash drive • Memory cards • Optical drive • External hard drive • Online storage • Secondary storage

  24. Hard Drive • May be internal or external • Internal is faster • Storage capacity is up to 2 terabytes (TB) • Access time is measured in milliseconds • Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per second

  25. How a Hard Drive Works Composed of coated platters stacked on a spindle Data saved to the disk: Pattern of magnetized spots– Spots = 1– Spaces = 0 Spots are translated into data

  26. Optical Storage • Optical media: Store data as tiny pits burned into a disc by a laser • Pre-recorded • CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, BD-ROM • Recordable • CD-R, DVD-R, BD-R • Rewritable • CD-RW, DVD-RW, BD-RE • Uses a burner to write to optical media • Uses two lasers to read optical media

  27. Flash Memory • Flash / thumb drive • Memory cards • Electron grid / gates • High storage capacity • Use very little power • Must unmount before removing from computer • Can cause security concerns

  28. Online Storage • Data stored on the Internet • Inexpensive • Data backup • Can access data anywhere • Can be password protected

  29. All Storage Media Will Fail Back up your data!

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