1. Module 1.3 Hardware

2. Contents Introduction Input Output Storage
Environmental and health issues
Test and improve your knowledge
Module Activities

3. Introduction
Hardware is all the things on a computer that you can physically touch.
Processing
Output
Input
 Note how the various hardware components fit into the information processing cycle. We will be focusing on the input, output and storage components in this module.
Storage

4. Input is the data and instructions that are given to a computer.
What is input?
Input is the data and instructions that are given to a computer.
Programs
A set of instructions
loaded into memory
when activated
Commands
Given by user
e.g. You click on the Font Size command
User responses
To a question ‘asked’ by a program

5. Input
Mouse
The following table indicates the various mouse actions and what they are used for.

6. Input
The keyboard
The keyboard is the most commonly used input device.
Shortcut keys F1
Esc
() <E>
() <D>

7. Wireless mouse and keyboard
Input
Wireless mouse and keyboard
Advantages of wireless devices:
Less clutter
No cords to get tangled
Wide range of movement
Disadvantages of wireless devices:
A wireless adapter has to be attached to the computer to receive signals from the device. All wireless devices need power in order to transmit a signal and so they have to contain some form of battery.
Require batteries (to produce the wireless signal)
More expensive
Sometimes there’s interference with the wireless signal
Can easily be removed, stolen quickly and quietly

8. Output
Output is whatever the computer produces to provide us with the results of its processing.
Output
Soft copy
Hard Copy

9. Output Monitor CRT Monitors LCD Soft copy
Flat-panel monitors consume less space
flicker less
CRT Monitors
While all modern monitors are flat-panel (LCD) monitors, there are still some older CRT monitors around. These very large and bulky monitors are fast disappearing and have been replaced with flat-panel monitors.
consume less power
environmentally friendly

10. Output Monitor Flat panel (LCD) viewing angle Soft copy
viewing angle specification.
Most monitors have a viewing angle of at least 160 degrees
Flat panel screens have a viewing angle specification. This is measured in degrees and indicates how far you can move to the side of the monitor (or up or down) before the image quality you see becomes very poor. Most monitors have a viewing angle of at least 160 degrees.

11. Output Monitor Soft copy Resolution Size Response time
LCD screens have a recommended resolution
Resolution
Size
The size of a monitor
measured diagonally
in inches
Response time
A low specification time for high quality graphics and video

12. Output Printers Hard copy Inkjet printers Laser printers
• work like a photo-copier machine
• expensive to buy
• cheaper to run and more suited to printing large volumes
• print faster
• black and white and colour
laser printers (more expensive)
• spray microscopic dots of ink onto
the paper
• cheap to buy
• expensive to run
• produces good quality colour prints
• slightly slower than laser printers

13. Output Printers Hard copy Connecting and using printers
Printer Installation
Changing the Default Printer
Usb port

14. You can cancel, pause or restart the printing here
Output
Printers
Hard copy
Connecting and using printers
Printer Queues
You can cancel, pause or restart the printing here

15. Storage Storage medium (CD) Storage device (CD/DVD-drive)
Non-volatile: Storage keeps its contents at all times
Storage medium (CD)
Storage device
(CD/DVD-drive)
Explain the difference between volatile (RAM/memory) and non-volatile (hard drive/etc.)

16. A kilobyte (KB) is 1024 bytes
Storage
Storage capacities
& =
1 byte A 4
A kilobyte (KB) is 1024 bytes
A megabyte (MB) is 1024 KB
A gigabyte (GB) is 1024 MB
A terabyte (TB) is 1024 GB.

17. Storage Hard drives In case: stores all programs and data
External/portable: USB connected, gets power from PC

18. Storage
Flash disks
External/portable: USB connected, gets power from PC
Appears as another disk on PC

19. Storage
Ports on your computer
Network ports
FireWire ports

20. Environmental and health issues
Health concerns
RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury
Explain term:
Ergonomics is the study of people in their work environments. It investigates how to make items ranging from cars to computer devices such as keyboards and mice better suited to the human body in terms of ease of use, our comfort and safety.
To prevent RSI:
Ergonomically designed keyboards

21. Environmental and health issues
Health tips for using computers
Sit correctly
Height of your seat and/or table
Lighting and ventilation/air circulation
Mouse and keyboard placements
Prevent eye strain
Regular breaks

22. Environmental and health issues
Tips on how to practice green computing
Switch off computers and devices you are not using
Avoid the senseless wasting of paper
Try and repair or upgrade hardware
Don’t just throw away ink and toner cartridges
Refill and reuse cartridges
Electronic waste (e-waste)
 Also referred to as e-scrap, this refers to outdated or broken electronic equipment such as computer equipment and cell phones that get dumped. This equipment often contains extremely toxic chemicals and materials. E-waste is often not recycled and is simply dumped in landfills, often in sites in Africa and Asia. E-waste is potentially extremely harmful to the environment and people living near these landfills.

23. Introduction to hardware Health and environmental issues
Test and improve your knowledge
Overview of module
Introduction to hardware
Basic hardware
Input
Types of input
Keyboard and Mouse
Storage
Storages devices vs. Storage media
Hard disks, flash drives
Output
Types of output
Printers and Monitors
Ports
USB Network Firewire VGA
Health and environmental issues
Green Computing
E -Waste
Health Issues
Health Tips

24. Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Test and improve your knowledge
Important terms and concepts
Bluetooth
Byte
Corded mouse
Wireless mouse
Display
Ergonomics
Esc F1
FireWire port
Flash disks
Gigabyte (GB)
Green computing
Hard drive
Hardcopy
Hardware
Inkjet printer
Input
Keyboard
Kilobyte (KB)
Laser printer
Megabyte (MB)
Monitor Size
Mouse
Network ports
Output
Print Screen Key
Printers
Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Resolution
Shortcut keys
Softcopy
Storage
Storage device
Storage media
Terabyte (TB)
Touch Pad
USB ports
VGA port
Volatile
Window key
Default printer
Plug-and-play
Printer queues

25. Activity Activity Written Written Purpose of this exercise:
Testing knowledge of this module.