Unit 3
Introduction to various computer hardware components –motherboard,
hard disk, memory, various ports/interfaces and related cables, adapters,
peripherals (Printers and Scanners), their features, and device drivers
Courtesy: Internet resources
Quiz
Types of Computers
Parts of the Computer System
• Computer systems have four • Hardware
parts – Mechanical devices in the
– Hardware computer
– Software – Anything that can be touched
– Data • Software
– User – Tell the computer what to do
– Also called a program
– Thousands of programs exist
Information Processing Cycle
• Steps followed to process data
• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage
Essential Computer Hardware
• Computers use the same basic hardware
• Hardware categorized into four types
Essential Computer Hardware
• Processing devices
– Brains of the computer
– Carries out instructions from the program
– Manipulate the data
– Most computers have several processors
– Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– Secondary processors
– Processors made of silicon and copper
8
Essential Computer Hardware
• Memory devices
– Stores data or programs
– Random Access Memory
(RAM)
• Volatile
• Stores current data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster
system
– Read Only Memory (ROM) 11
• Permanent storage of programs
• Holds the computer boot directions
Essential Computer Hardware
• Input and output devices
– Allows the user to interact
– Input devices accept data
• Keyboard, mouse
– Output devices deliver data
• Monitor, printer, speaker
– Some devices are input and 12
output
• Touch screens
Essential Computer Hardware
• Storage devices
– Hold data and programs
permanently
– Different from RAM
– Magnetic storage
• Floppy and hard drive
• Uses a magnet to access data
13
– Optical storage
• CD and DVD drives
• Uses a laser to access data
Peripherals
Cables, Adapters, Ports
Identify ports on your devices
Printers and Scanners
Exercise
Detailed specification of any 1 hardware component or a peripheral device
The IF game ..
What if you are a ……… (Hardware component/ software)
