Learning Objectives: Identify the major types and uses of microcomputer, mid range, and mainframe computer systems. Outline the major technologies and uses of computer peripherals for input, output, and storage. Identify and give examples of the components and functions of a computer system. Identify the computer systems and peripherals you would acquire or recommend for a business of your choice, and explain the reasons for your selections.

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Computer Hardware
Chapter
3
Chapter
3

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1. Identify the major types and uses of
microcomputer, midrange, and
mainframe computer systems.
2. Outline the major technologies and uses
of computer peripherals for input, output,
and storage.
Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives
3. Identify and give examples of the
components and functions of a
computer system.
4. Identify the computer systems and
peripherals you would acquire or
recommend for a business of your
choice, and explain the reasons for your
selections.

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What is a Computer?What is a Computer?
Definition:
• All computers are systems of input,
processing, output, storage, and control
components.

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Types of Computer SystemsTypes of Computer Systems

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Microcomputer SystemsMicrocomputer Systems
• Personal Computer (PC) – microcomputer
for use by an individual
• Professional Workstation – a powerful,
networked PC for business professionals
• Laptop – small, portable PC

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Microcomputer SystemsMicrocomputer Systems
• Network Server – more powerful
microcomputers that coordinate
telecommunications and resource sharing
in small local area networks and Internet
and intranet websites
• Computer Terminals – depend on servers
for software, storage and processing
power

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Microcomputer SystemsMicrocomputer Systems
• Network Computers – low-cost, sealed
microcomputers with no or minimal disk
storage that are linked to the network
• Information Appliances – hand-held
microcomputer devices

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PC FeaturesPC Features

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Midrange SystemsMidrange Systems
Definition:
• Primarily high-end network servers and
other types of servers that can handle the
large-scale processing of many business
applications.

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Mainframe SystemsMainframe Systems
Definition:
• Large, fast, and powerful computer
systems

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Supercomputer SystemsSupercomputer Systems
Definition:
• Extremely powerful computer systems
specifically designed for scientific,
engineering, and business applications
requiring extremely high speeds for
massive numeric computations

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Hardware Organized by System FunctionsHardware Organized by System Functions
• Input Devices convert data into electronic
form for direct entry or through a
telecommunications network into a
computer system
• Processing Components primarily the
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU) - perform
arithmetic and logic functions required to
execute software instructions

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Hardware Organized by System FunctionsHardware Organized by System Functions
• Output Devices convert electronic information
produced by the computer system into human-
intelligible form for presentation to end users
• Storage Devices store data and software
instructions needed for processing
• Control Components primarily the CPU’s
Control Unit which interprets software
instructions and transmits directions that control
the activities of the other components of the
computer system

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Computer Processing SpeedsComputer Processing Speeds
• Millisecond – thousandth of a second
• Microsecond – millionth of a second
• Nanosecond – billionth of a second
• Picosecond – trillionth of a second

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Computer Clock SpeedsComputer Clock Speeds
• MIPS – million instructions per second
• Megahertz (MHz) – millions of cycles per
second
• Gigahertz (GHz) – billions of cycles per
second

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Computer PeripheralsComputer Peripherals
Definition:
• Generic name given to all input, output,
and secondary storage devices that are
part of a computer system, but are not
part of the CPU.

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Peripherals AdvicePeripherals Advice

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Online vs. OfflineOnline vs. Offline
• Online – devices are separate from but
can be electronically connected to and
controlled by a CPU
• Offline – devices are separate from and
not under the control of the CPU

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Input TechnologiesInput Technologies
• Keyboard
• Pointing Devices
• Pen-Based Computing
• Speech Recognition Systems
• Optical Scanning

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Graphical User Interface (GUI)Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Definition:
• Icons, menus, windows, buttons, bars, etc
used for user selection

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Pointing DevicesPointing Devices
• Electronic Mouse – Moving mouse on pad
moves cursor on screen. Pressing buttons on
mouse activates activities represented by
selected icons.
• Trackball – Stationary device with a roller ball
on top used to move cursor on screen.
• Pointing Stick – Small button-like device which
moves cursor in direction of pressure placed on
stick.

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Pointing DevicesPointing Devices
• Touchpad – Small rectangular touch-
sensitive surface which moves the cursor
in the direction of finger moves on the
pad.
• Touch Screen – Video display screen that
emits a grid of infrared beams, sound
waves, or a slight electric current that is
broken when the screen is touched.

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Pen-based ComputingPen-based Computing
Definition:
• Pressure-sensitive layer under slate-like
liquid crystal display screen and software
that digitizes handwriting, hand printing,
and hand drawing

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Speech Recognition SystemsSpeech Recognition Systems
• Discrete – user must pause between each
spoken word
• Continuous – software can recognize
conversationally-paced speech

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Optical ScanningOptical Scanning
Definition:
• Devices that read text or graphics and
convert them into digital input for your
computer

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Optical Character Recognition (OCR)Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Definition:
• The machine identification of printed
characters through the use of light-
sensitive devices

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Other Input TechnologiesOther Input Technologies
• Magnetic Stripe – devices that read data
stored in the magnetic stripe on the back
of cards
• Smart Cards – devices that read a
microprocessor chip embedded in a card

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Other Input TechnologiesOther Input Technologies
• Digital cameras – devices that allow you
to capture, store, and download still
photos and full motion pictures
• Magnetic Ink Recognition (MICR) –
devices that can read characters printed
on source documents with an iron oxide-
based ink

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Output TechnologiesOutput Technologies
• Video Output
• Printed Output
• Voice Response

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Video OutputVideo Output
• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) – similar to
vacuum tubes in television
• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) – electronic
visual displays that form characters by
applying an electrical charge to selected
silicon crystals

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Printed OutputPrinted Output
• Inkjet Printers – spray ink onto the page
• Laser Printers – use an electrostatic
process similar to a photocopying
machine

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Storage Trade-OffsStorage Trade-Offs

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Semiconductor MemorySemiconductor Memory
Characteristics:
• Small
• Fast
• Shock Resistant
• Temperature Resistant
• Volatile – contents of memory is lost when
power is interrupted
• Used for Primary Storage

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RAM vs. ROMRAM vs. ROM
• Random Access Memory (RAM) – each
memory position can be both sensed and
changed
• Read Only Memory (ROM) – can be read
but not erased or overwritten

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FirmwareFirmware
Definition:
• Frequently used programs which are
permanently burned into ROM during
manufacture

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Magnetic DisksMagnetic Disks
Characteristics:
• Fast
• Large
• Reasonably Priced
• Used for Secondary Storage

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Types of Magnetic DisksTypes of Magnetic Disks
• Floppy Disks – single disk inside a
protective jacket
• Hard Disk Drives – several disks, access
arms and read/write heads in a sealed
module
• Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks
(RAID) - disk arrays of interconnected
microcomputer hard disk drives

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Formatting DisksFormatting Disks

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Hard Disk DrivesHard Disk Drives

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Optical DisksOptical Disks

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Optical DisksOptical Disks

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Business Applications of Optical DisksBusiness Applications of Optical Disks
• Long-term archival storage of historical
files of document images
• Publishing medium for fast access to
reference materials in a convenient
compact form
• Computer video games, educational
videos, multimedia encyclopedias and
advertising presentations