Hardware of Personal Computers

Part 1: Introduction

What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that accepts information and instructions from the user, processes data, and display the data.

What are Basic Hardware of a Personal Computer?

What is a Hardware? Hardware is any part of the computer system that is tangible. It works with the software to process data.

Computer Case Contains the major components of the computer. It helps protect them.

Monitor A display screen to provide “output” to the user. Function: view the information your are working on

Motherboard The motherboard is a circuit board that is the foundation of a computer Function: allows the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components to function with each other

Processor The CPU – The chip or chips that interprets and executes program instructions and manage the functions of input, output, and storage devices.

RAM Random Access Memory RAM is a computer’s temporary memory, which exists as chips on the motherboard near the CPU. Function: stores data or programs while they are being used and requires power.

Modem The place where the computer is connected to the phone line.

Network Card A circuit board that connects the computer to the rest of the network usually using special cables.

Video Card Connects the computer to the monitor. It is a circuit board attached to the motherboard Function: contains the memory and other circuitry necessary to send information to the monitor for display on screen.

Sound Card Connects the speakers and microphone to the computer.

CD Rom Drive The drive that plays CDs and reads data that has been stored on the CD.

Floppy Disk Drive A device that holds a removable floppy disk when in use; read/write heads read and write data to the diskette.

Hard Disk Magnetic storage device in the computer.

Keyboard Used to enter information into the computer and for giving commands.

Mouse An input device operated by rolling its ball across a flat surface. Function: used to control the on-screen pointer by pointing and clicking, double-clicking, or dragging objects on the screen.

Classification of Hardware 1 2 4 Input Devices Processing Unit Output Devices Information Processing Cycle Storage Devices 3

Information Processing Cycle All computers follow the same basic operations: (1) input, (2) processing, (3) storage, and (4) output.

What is an Input Device? whatever is "put into" the computer to make it function Examples: keyboard, microphone, mouse

What is a Processing Unit? manipulating whatever data has been input to transform it to information Everything in the tower, motherboard, CPU

What is a Storage Device? A place where you can keep processed data. Examples: USB, Floppy disc, CD

What is an Output Device? resulting from processing inputs which is useable by humans Examples: monitor, speakers, printer

Classification of Hardware 1 2 4 Input Devices Processing Unit Output Devices Memory Storage Devices 3

RAM Random Access Memory Represent primary storage or temporary storage Hold data before processing and information after processing, before being sent to an output or storage device Can be read and written to Volatile- the contents are lost when the power goes off or is turned off

ROM Read only memory Cannot be written on or erased by the computer user without special equipment Contain fixed start-up instructions Contain instructions on start up Non volatile

Then, What is Software? Software- all the electronic instructions that tell the computer how to perform a task Application software helps the user perform specific tasks Word processing, presentation, database, electronic spreadsheet System software helps the computer perform specific tasks Windows, Mac OS X, Device driver software

Application Software Word Processing – working mainly with text Spreadsheet – used primarily with numbers & charts Database – allows for entry of data in an organized manner, used for reporting Presentation – create presentations using projection devices Desktop Publishing – used for creative design

Microsoft Office Application Software Word Processing- Word Spreadsheet- Excel Desktop Publishing- Publisher Database- Access Presentation- PowerPoint

Balancing your checkbook. Spreadsheet

Creating a birthday card for a friend. Desktop Publishing

Writing an essay about your pet. Word Processing

Making a school newsletter Desktop Publishing

Giving a presentation to the class on computers.

Writing a research paper on UFO’s. Word Processing

Creating an address book for Christmas cards. Database

System Software System software are running processes on your computer. They are necessary features in order for your computer to run and do the things that computers are expected to do. For example: boot up, logging in, connect to the internet, etc.

Types of Personal Computers Desktops may sit on a desk or on the floor (a "tower") powerful enough to run everyday business and personal applications have separate hardware components for the computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Laptops notebook computers, have all the functionality of a desktop computer small and portable include a display, keyboard, and trackpad integrated into a single piece of hardware Some laptops, called tablet PCs, recognize handwriting and allow you to work with a pen-like stylus Netbooks ("Inter net note books) less powerful than traditional laptops, but as they are generally used only for Internet-related activities such as e-mail and surfing the Web do not need as much memory, processing power, or storage space smaller, lighter, and less expensive than fully-functional laptops.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) handheld computers, PDAs fit in the palm of your hand. While less powerful than a desktop or laptop computer, a PDA includes key productivity functionality like maintaining a calendar, address book and a to-do list have Internet connectivity so you can send and receive e-mail and surf the Web SmartPhones combines the functionality of a PDA with a cellular telephone often include photo and video capabilities