Hardware (CHP.2) By Natalie Negron

Hardware  The tangible, physical parts of the computer which work together to input, process, store and output data.  Supercomputers (Largest, fastest, most powerful and expensive comp.)  Mainframes ( Powerful computers which share many features with supercompuers—optimized for high data throughput)  Desktop computers(common computers in home, offices and schools)  Laptop computers(portable computers designed for simple internet access and word processing—powerful enough to be desktop computer)

Hardware (cont.)  Netbooks ( laptop computers with lower specifications than normal, designed for maximum portability—mainly used to provide access to the internet and )  Personal Digital Assistants (aka palmtop computer; best suited for quick viewing or input of information rather than long sessions of continuous use)  Smartphones ( built in digital cameras, can run applications, send s, perform same function as GPS, call/text, and some applications even allow the creation of office documents)

Input Devices  An embedded system is a specialized computer which is hidden inside another device. Embedded systems are found in cars where they control anti-lock braking and engine management systems. (for computers an embedded system would be microprocessors and data storage devices)  Keyboards: -Dvorak keyboard: increases typing speed -Multimedia keyboard: standard keyboard with additional hotkeys to open up applications -Concept keyboard: Each key is programmed to perform a custom function.

Input Devices (cont) -Soft keyboard: a keyboard that is represented bya series of buttons drain on a monitor or screen -Mice -Trackballs -Touchpads -Touch screens -Microphones -Joystick and gamepad (input devices for games) -Barcode scanner (barcode contains unique identification number to identify that type of product) -Magnetic Stripe Readers -Smart Cards

Input Devices(cont)  Optical Mark Recognition is an input method for speedily reading and counting multiple choice style answer papers.  Magnetic Ink Character Recognition is a specialized technology that uses ink contain iron particles making it magnetic. (bottom of checks)  Scanner is a device for digitizing a piece of paper.  Sensors and probes are used fro measuring some aspect of physical data.  Cameras/web cams/radio tags

Output devices  Screens  Speakers  Printers  **screen magnification, large point and high contrast options for vision impaired users***  ***Head control systems are used for people with mobility problems**

Processors  CPU (Central Processing Unit)- Responsible for performing all instructions and tasks that the computer does.l  To improve performance motherboards and multicore processors. -Multicore truly performs more than one task at once. (most computers multitask) -Motherboards is a processor in which it provides ports and connections for all other parts of the system.

Storage Devices  Primary: high speed, electronic memory found in a computer  RAM (random access memory)- temporary storage area for programs and data that are being used in a given moment.  ROM (read only memory)- type of primary storage whose contents cannot be changed.  Secondary Storage- used to store all of the data and programs installed on a computer system.  Flash memory-technology that stores data using electronic logic dates.  Optical storage-CD’s, DVD’s and Blu-ray Disks  Magnetic Disks- Portable disks often used for backups or transferring large files

Storage Devices (cont)  To remove any information from a computer a special software must be used to wipe the data and the computer must be physically destroyed.

Storage Sizes  Bit is smaller than Byte  ASCI-Encoding system to store text, where one byte is used for each character. Compare Unicode.  Unicode-Encoding system to store text, with support for multiple languages and alphabets.

Ports & Connectors  connectors/10694/ connectors/10694/  Ethernet- A standard for wired Internet access