chap1 it210 introduction to computer hardware (chapter one)

Introduction to Computer Hardware (Chapter One)

PREPARED BY: KRISANDRA N. GAYLON

What is Computer?

Computer

- Is an electronic device that is designed to work with information.

- And also it can store, retrieve and process data.

What is system? (in general)

- It is a combination of components working together.

What is computer system?

- It a group of elements performing together to process data.

Computer System

Input

Computer System Unit

Central Processing Unit

OutputArithmetic Logic Unit Control Unit

Primary Storage

Random Access

Memory

Read Only Memory

Secondary Storage

Three component of a Computer

1. Hardware – it is refers to the physical component of the computer. (Tangible)

2. Software – is a computer program. (Intangible)

3. Peopleware – is the one who uses the computer. (User)

Types of Personal Computer

• Tower Model

• Desktop Model

• Notebook Computer

• Laptop Computer

• Hand-held computer

• Palmtop

• PDA

Tower Model

• The term refers to a computer in which the power supply, motherboard, and mass storage devices are stacked on top of each other in a cabinet

Desktop Model Computer

• A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top of the computer.

Notebook Computer

• An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase.

Laptop Computer

• A small, portable computer -- small enough that it can sit on your lap.

Hand-Held Computer

• A portable computer that is small enough to be held in one’s hand.

• Hand-held computers are also called PDAs, palmtops and pocket computers.

Palmtop

• A small computer that literally fits in your palm. Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars.

• Because of their small size, most palmtop computers do not include disk drives. However, many contain PCMCIA slots in which you can insert disk drives, modems, memory, and other devices.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

• Short for personal digital assistant, a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, and networking features.

• A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, and personal organizer. Unlike portable computers, most PDAs are pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they also incorporate handwriting recognition features. 

Common key parts of Computer

Overview of Computer Operation

DEVICE TASKControl Device Interprets programs and sends instruction

to other devices.Operation Device

Performs calculation according to instructions within programs. It referred to as CPU.

Storage Device

Stores programs and data. Divided to “main memory” and “auxiliary storage device”.

Input Device Inputs data to the main memory.Output Device Output data from the main memory

(display, print, etc.)

Hardware Devices

• Keyboard – is a human interface device which is represented as a layout of buttons.

• Pointing device – is any human interface device that allows a user to input spatial data to a computer. In that case of mice/mouse and touch pads.

• Imaging and Video&Audio Devices – are used to digitize images or video from the outside world into the computer. The information can be stored in a multitude of formats depending on the user’s requirement.

o Webcamo Image Scannero Fingerprint scannero Barcode readero 3D scannero Laser rangefindero Microphone

• Monitor – a visual display unit, often called simply a monitor or display, is a piece of electrical equipment which displays images generated from the video output of devices such as computer.

• Printer – is a peripheral which produces a hard copy (permanent human readable text or graphics) of document stored in electronic form.

• LCD Projector – is a type of video projector for displaying video images or computer data on screen or other flat surface.

• Speakers – are external sounds output, equipped with a low power internal amplifier.

Classification of Hardware

1. Peripheral Devices – is an external device attached to the central portion of the computer. Ex. Keyboard, monitors etc.

2. Central Processing unit – is that part of a computer that performs calculations controls the other parts of the computer. This include a master microprocessor chips and a portion of the motherboard system logic.

3. Mass Storage System – is where you put the data you need immediately at hand but which would not fit into memory.