Input Devices: devices that input information into the computer such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, and digital camera.
Output Devices
Output: devices that output information from the computer such as a printer and monitor.
Hardware and Software
Computer Hardware would include all the parts of a computer.
Computer Software includes the programs that are installed.. Or the instructions for completing tasks.
Central Processing Unit
CPU (Central Processing Unit) also called the Microprocessor or “The Brain” of the Computer.
Processor speed: The speed at which a microprocessor executes instructions. This is usually measured in megahertz (MHz).
Brands of Processors include:
Pentium
Celeron
MAC
AMD
Cyrix
Central Processing Unit
Computer chip: also called the microprocessor may contain an entire processing unit.
Computer chips contain millions of transistors. They are small pieces of semi-conducting material (silicon).
An integrated circuit is embedded in the silicon. Computers are made of many chips on a circuit board.
Data Storage Devices
The hard-drive is a mechanical storage device typically located internally.
Fast recording and recovery of data
Large storage capacity
Magnetic
Primary storage device for data and programs
Speed is measured in R.P.M.’s (Revolutions per minute)
Data Storage Devices (cont’d)
CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory)
An optical device read by a diode laser
Data Storage Devices (cont’d)
Floppy diskette is magnetic storage device for small amounts of data (1.44MB).
FLASH drive is a compact and portable electronic storage device.
USB (plug and play) supported
Computer Memory
RAM (random access memory) stores data that is processing. This type of memory is erased when the computer is turned off.
ROM (read only memory) contains special instructions for the computer to operate.
Cache memory increases the speed of the processor by recording and anticipating instructions.
Graphic User Interface (GUI)
GUI (Graphic User Interface) is a set of images and icons seen on the desktop used to operate a program.
The GUI makes the programs loaded on the computer easier to access and use. Basic Windows GUI
Icons are small pictures that represent files, commands, or windows.
Windows is a GUI operating system.
Video Cards
Video cards plug into the motherboard and are used to display video.
VRAM is video memory that enhances the refreshment rate of the image.
Video cards have chipsets that can increase the speed of video display.
Ports and Peripherals
Ports are an interface between the computer and another peripheral device such as a disk drive, mouse, printer, modem, monitor, camera, FLASH drive or keyboard.
Examples:
Serial
Parallel
hot-wire
USB
Ports and Peripherals
Peripherals are devices that plug into a computer and are not housed internally.
Examples:
Printers
Scanners
Cameras
LAN and WAN
LAN: are networks usually in the same company or building. The Local Area Network is connected via telephone lines or radio waves. Most LANs connect workstations.
WAN: are systems of LANs that are connected. (Wide-area network)
Bandwidth and Baud Rate
Bandwidth is how much information can be carried in a given time period (usually a second) over a wired or wireless communications link.
Baud rate is the rate at which information is transferred in a communication channel.
