Chapter 2

Hardware

1
Chapter Objectives

• Information systems hardware

• Primary components of a computer and the
functions they perform
• The effect of the commoditization of the personal
computer

Chapter 2 2
Hardware
Data Representation
• A computers is digital device that accepts data as input,
processes data, stores data, and produces output.
• Computer is designed using digital technology (simple,
dependable, and adaptable) which makes it possible to
manipulate simple “on” and “off” signals to perform complex
tasks.
• Digital devices work with digits such as 0 and 1. 0 presents
“off” signal/state and 1 presents “on” signal/state.
• A computer uses a bit (binary digit) as the building block for
more complex data representation.
• A computer stores bits as electronic pulses that can travel
over circuits and wires.

Chapter 2 3
Hardware
Data Representation Cont.

Analog signals are continuous and

vary in strength and quality

Digital signals are in one of two

states: on or off
• The binary system uses two unique digits (0 and 1)
 Bits and bytes

Chapter 2 4
Hardware
Data Representation Cont.
• The circuitry in a computer or • Eight bits grouped together
mobile device represents the as a unit are called a byte. A
on or the off states byte represents a single
electronically by the presence character in the computer or
or absence of an electronic mobile device
charge

Chapter 2 5
Hardware
 Data Representation Cont.
• By grouping bits together,
computers create sequence
that represent number,
letters, graphics, music and
more.
• A group of 8 bits make up a
byte
• A byte represents a
character such as a letter
(uppercase/lowercase),
symbols, and numerals that
won’t be used in arithmetic
operations.
Chapter 2 6
Hardware
Data Representation Cont.
• The system of numbering we are most familiar is decimal
system, base 10 (uses 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 digits).
Computers use the binary numbering system, base 2
(uses only two digits 0 and 1). Digits in a numbering
base is calculated as = base - 1
• Other numbering systems: Octal, base 8 (uses
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 digits), Hexadecimal or Hex, base 16 (
users 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F digits)

Chapter 2 7
Hardware
Measurement Units & Terminology

• The symbols presented in the next few slides are used in

computer components and computer-related devices.
They required to be studied. Do not memorize, rather
understand them. Learn a few symbols, and construct all
terms from these symbols.

Chapter 2 8
Hardware
Measurement Units & Terminology Cont.

Chapter 2 9
Hardware
Measurement Units & Terminology Cont.

Chapter 2 10
Hardware
Measurement Units & Terminology Cont.
CPU Speed
These units are used to measure CPU speed (cycles in a second)

Name Symbol Value What to measure

Hertz Hz One cycle per second Base unit
Kilohertz KHz 1,000,cycles per second Used in some devices
Megahertz MHz 1,000,000 cycles per second Old CPUs
Gigahertz GHz 1,000,000,000,cycles per second Today’s CPU

Chapter 2 11
Hardware
Measurement Units & Terminology Cont.

Chapter 2 12
Hardware
Inside the System Unit

Chapter 2 13
Hardware
Motherboard
• The motherboard is the main circuit board of the
computer. Houses all essential chips and provides
connecting circuitry between them.
 A computer chip contains integrated circuits

Chapter 2 14
Hardware
 Processors
• The processor, also called the central processing unit (CPU),
interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a
computer
• A multi-core processor is a single chip with two or more
separate processor cores
• Processors contain a Control Unit and an Arithmetic Logic
Unit (ALU)
 Control Unit, coordinates & controls all the other part of
computer system.
 Arithmetic Logic Unit, actual processing by performing
mathematical & Logical operations.

Chapter 2 15
Hardware
Processors Cont.

Chapter 2 16
Hardware
The Machine Cycle
• For every instruction, a processor repeats a set of four
basic operations, which comprise a machine cycle

Chapter 2 17
Hardware
 The Machine Cycle Cont.
• The four steps:
• Fetch the instruction from RAM
– (called a Register)
• Decode the instruction
• Execute the instruction
• Store the result back to RAM
• The Operating Systems works with the CPU to place the
instruction on RAM then get the result back.
• How fast the 4 steps are executed decides the speed of the
CPU

Chapter 2 18
Hardware
Processors
• CPU contains registers, that temporarily hold data and
instructions. The leading manufacture of personal computer
processor chips are Intel and AMD

• CPU speed
 System clock, regulates CPU’s processing functions by emitting
pulse at the regular intervals. Controls the timing of all computer
operations
 The pace of the system clock is called the clock speed, and is
usually measured in gigahertz
 Each tick of the system clock, the CPU does a step of the Machine
Cycle

Chapter 2 19
Hardware
Buses
• A bus is highway of parallel wires connects
motherboard components, allows the various
devices both inside and attached to the system
unit to communicate with one another:
 Data bus, carries information
 Address bus, unique address of a location in the
memory where data is stored
 Control bus, determines its operation
 Expansion bus, moves information between
internal components of a computer.
• Word size is the number of bits the processor
can interpret and execute at a given time
• The bigger the word size the faster the machine
(CPU) is.

Chapter 2 20
Hardware
Memory
• Memory consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed by the processor,
data needed by those instructions, and the results of
processing the data
• Stores three basic categories of items:

 The operating system and other programs

 Applications
 Data being processed and the resulting information

Chapter 2 21
Hardware
 Memory Cont.

• Each location in memory

has an address
• Memory size commonly is
measured in gigabytes (GB)
or terabytes (TB)

Chapter 2 22
Hardware
 Memory Cont.

• Computers and mobile devices contain two types of memory:

Volatile memory Nonvolatile memory

Loses its contents when Does not lose contents
power is turned off when power is removed

Examples include ROM,

Example includes RAM
flash memory, and CMOS

Chapter 2 23
Hardware
Memory Cont.
 RAM, primary storage, reusable and volatile. An area of the
computer that temporarily holds data and instructions for
processing the data. It houses OS instructions. It’s measured in
GB.
 ROM, contents permanently burned in the chip. The only way to
change the instructions on a ROM chip is to replace the chip.

 Flash memory can be erased electronically and rewritten

 CMOS (Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) technology

uses battery power to retain information when the power to the
computer is off

 Virtual memory, section of disk used as a backup for RAM.

Chapter 2 24
Hardware
 Memory Cont.
• RAM chips usually reside on a memory module and are
inserted into memory slots

Chapter 2 25
Hardware
 Memory cont.
• Access time is the amount of time it takes the
processor to read from memory
 Measured in nanoseconds

Chapter 2 26
Hardware
Memory Cont.

Chapter 2 27
Hardware
 Memory Cont.
• Memory cache speeds the processes of the computer
because it stores frequently used instructions and data,
specialized chip used to minimize the data traffic between
CPU and memory.

Chapter 2 28
Hardware
 Adapters
• An adapter card enhances functions of a component of a desktop or
server system unit and/or provides connections to peripherals
 Sound card and video card
• An expansion slot is a socket on a desktop or server motherboard
that can hold an adapter card

 Bluetooth, enables Bluetooth connectivity

 MIDI, connects to musical instruments
 Modem, connects to transmission media, such as cable TV lines or phone
lines
 Network, provides network connection such as Ethernet port
 Sound, connects to speakers or microphone
 USB, connect to high-speed USB ports
 Video, provides enhance graphic capabilities such as accelerated
processing or the ability to connect a second monitor

Chapter 2 29
Hardware
 Adapters Cont.
• With Plug and Play, the
computer automatically
can recognize peripheral
devices as you install
them

• A USB adapter
enhances functions of a
mobile computer and/or
provides connections to
peripheral devices

Chapter 2 30
Hardware
Computer Hardware Storage
• A storage medium is the physical material on which a
computer keeps data, information, programs, and
applications

• Storage media, secondary storage, stores data and

programs permanently.

• Cloud storage keeps information on servers on the

Internet, and the actual media on which the files are
stored are transparent to the user

Chapter 2 31
Hardware
 Storage Cont.

• A storage device is the hardware that records and/or

retrieves items to and from storage media

Reading is the process

of transferring items
from a storage medium
into memory

Writing is the process

of transferring items
from memory to a
storage medium

Chapter 2 32
Hardware
Storage Devices
• Items on a storage medium remain intact even
when you turn off a computer or mobile device

Chapter 2 33
Hardware
Storage Capacity
• Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium can
hold:

Chapter 2 34
Hardware
Storage Access time
• Access time measures:
 The amount of time it takes a
storage device to locate an
item on a storage medium
 The time required to deliver
an item from memory to the
processor

Chapter 2 35
Hardware
Hard Drives
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD), one or more hard drive platters (a
flat, rigid disk made of aluminum or glass and coated with
magnetic oxide) and their associated read-write heads.
More capacity, can hold up to 10TB, but slower
processing and less expensive.

Chapter 2 36
Hardware
Hard Drives Cont.
• The storage capacity of hard
disks varies and is determined by:
 The number of platters the
hard disk contains
 Whether the disk uses
longitudinal or perpendicular
recording
 Density

• Formatting is the process of

dividing the disk into tracks and
sectors

Chapter 2 37
Hardware
Hard Drives Cont.

• Characteristics of a hard disk include:

Tracks Sectors Platters

Read/write Revolutions
Form factor
head per minute

Chapter 2 38
Hardware
Hard Drives Cont.

Chapter 2 39
Hardware
Hard Drives Cont.
• A head crash occurs when a read/write head touches
the surface of a platter
• Always keep a backup of your hard disk

Chapter 2 40
Hardware
Hard Drives Cont.
• Solid State Drive (SSD), oversized and more sophisticated
flash memory stick. It contains its own processor to manage
its storage
• Like a memory stick no moving parts to an SSD. Less
capacity but faster processing, and more expensive.
• An SSD (solid state drive) has several advantages over
traditional (magnetic) hard disks:
 Faster access time
 Faster transfer rates
 Quieter operation
 More durable
 Lighter weight
 Less power consumption
 Longer life
 Defragmentation not required

Chapter 2 41
Hardware
Hard Drives Cont.
• An external hard disk is a separate
freestanding storage device that
connects with a cable to a USB port or
other port on a computer or mobile
device

• RAID (redundant array of independent

disks) is a group of two or more
integrated hard disks or SSDs

Chapter 2 42
Hardware
Portable Flash Memory Storage
• A memory card is a
removable flash memory
storage device that you insert
and remove from a slot in a
computer, mobile device, or
card reader/writer

• USB flash drives plug into a

USB port on a computer or
mobile device

Chapter 2 43
Hardware
 Cloud Storage
• Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides storage to
computer or mobile device users

Chapter 2 44
Hardware
 Optical Discs
• An optical disc consists of a flat, round,
portable disc made of metal, plastic,
and lacquer that is written and read by a
laser

• Usually circular disc which encodes

binary data (bits) in the form of pits
(binary value 0 or off, due to lack of
reflection when read) and lands (binary
value of 1 or on, due to a reflection
when read).

Chapter 2 45
Hardware
Optical Discs
• A CD-ROM can be read from but not written to
 Single-session disc
• A CD-R is an optical disc on which users can write
once, but not erase
• A CD-RW is an erasable multisession disc

• A DVD-ROM is a high-capacity optical disc on which

users can read but not write on or erase
• A DVD-R or DVD+R are competing DVD-recordable
WORM formats, on which users can write once but not
erase
• DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+RAM are competing
DVD-rewritable formats that users can write on
multiple times

Chapter 2 46
Hardware
 Other Storage Devices
• Enterprise hardware allows large organizations to manage and store
data and information using devices intended for heavy use, maximum
efficiency, and maximum availability
 RAID duplicates data, instructions, and information to improve data
reliability
• A magnetic stripe card has a magnetic stripe that contains information
• A smart card stores data on an integrated circuit embedded in the card
• The RFID tag consists of an antenna and a memory chip that contains
the information to be transmitted via radio waves
• An RFID reader reads the radio signal and transfers the information to a
computer or computing device

Chapter 2 47
Hardware
Computer Hardware cont.
• Network connection
 Network card (NIC), a device installed in a slot on a motherboard
to connect a personal computer to LAN.
 Wireless technology, many personal computers began including
wireless networking capabilities.

Chapter 2 48
Hardware
Input & Output
• Input is any data and instructions entered into the memory of a
computer
 Keyboard, mouse, touchscreens, scanners, voice recognition,
video digitizers.
• Output is data that has been processed into a useful
form

Chapter 2 49
Hardware
Input Devices

Pointing Touch
Keyboard Pen input
devices screens

Scanners
Motion input Voice input Video input and reading
devices

Chapter 2 50
Hardware
Keyboards

• A keyboard is an input device that contains keys

users press to enter data and instructions into a
computer or mobile device

Chapter 2 51
Hardware
Keyboards
Most desktop computer keyboards have…
 Typing area
 Function keys
 Navigation keys
 Toggle keys
 Shortcut keys
 Media control buttons
 Internet control buttons

Chapter 2 52
Hardware
Ergonomic keyboards

• An ergonomic keyboard has a design that reduces

the chance of repetitive strain injuries of wrist and
hand
• Ergonomics incorporates comfort, efficiency, and
safety in the design of the workplace

Chapter 2 53
Hardware
Pointing Devices
• A pointer is a small symbol on the screen whose location
and shape change as a user moves a pointing device
• A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the palm of your
hand comfortably
 Optical mouse, laser mouse, and touch mouse

Chapter 2 54
Hardware
Pointing and Touch Screen Devices
A touchpad, is small flat, rectangular
pointing device that is sensitive to
pressure and motion

A trackball is a stationary pointing device

with a ball on its top or side

A touch screen is a touch-sensitive

display

Chapter 2 55
Hardware
Motion, Voice, and Video Input Devices
• Voice input is the
process of entering input
by speaking into a
microphone
• Voice recognition, also
called speech
recognition, is the
computer or mobile
device’s capability of
distinguishing spoken
words

Chapter 2 56
Hardware
Motion, Voice, and Video Input Devices Cont.

• Audio input is the process

of entering any sound into
the computer such as
speech, music, and
sound effects
• Music production
software allows users to
record, compose, mix,
and edit music and
sounds

Chapter 2 57
Hardware
Motion, Voice, and Video Input Devices Cont.

• Video input is the process of capturing full-

motion images and storing them on a
computer or mobile device’s storage medium

• Record video on a digital video (DV) camera

• Transfer video to a computer or mobile

device

Chapter 2 58
Hardware
Motion, Voice, and Video Input Devices Cont.
• A webcam is a type of DV camera that enables a
user to:
 Capture video and still images
 Send email messages with video attachments
 Broadcast live images or video over the Internet
 Conduct videoconferences
 Make video calls
• A videoconference is a meeting between two or more
geographically separated people

Chapter 2 59
Hardware
Scanners and Reading Devices
• A scanner is a light-sensing input device that reads printed
text and graphics and then translates the results into a form
the computer can process
 A flatbed scanner works in a manner similar to a copy
machine except it creates a file of the document in
memory instead of a paper copy

Chapter 2 60
Hardware
Scanners and Reading Devices Cont.
• An optical reader is a device that uses a light source to read
characters, marks, and codes and then converts them into
digital data that a computer can process
 Optical character recognition (OCR)
 Optical mark recognition (OMR)

A bar code reader, also called a bar

code scanner uses laser beams to
read bar codes

A Quick Response (QR) code stores

information in both a vertical and
horizontal direction

Chapter 2 61
Hardware
Scanners and Reading Devices Cont.
• RFID (radio frequency identification) uses radio signals
to communicate with a tag placed in or attached to an
object
• An RFID reader reads information on the tag via radio
waves

RFID can track:

 Tracking times of runners in a marathon
 Tracking location of people and other items
 Checking lift tickets of skiers
 Managing inventory
 Gauging temperature and pressure of tires on a vehicle
 Checking out library books
 Providing access to rooms or buildings RFID antenna for vehicular
access control
 Managing purchases
 Tracking payment as vehicles pass through booths on
tollway systems

Chapter 2 62
Hardware
Scanners and Reading Devices Cont.
• Magstripe readers read the
magnetic stripe on the back of
cards such as:
 Credit cards
 Entertainment cards
 Bank cards
 Identification cards
 Other similar cards

Chapter 2 63
Hardware
Scanners and Reading Devices Cont.
• MICR (magnetic ink character recognition)
devices read text printed with magnetized ink
• An MICR reader converts MICR characters
into a form the computer can process
• MICR code is a character-recognition Check sample for a fictional bank
using MICR encoding for cashing in
technology used mainly by the banking another bank
industry to ease the processing and clearance
of checks and other documents.

• A data collection device obtains data directly at

the location where the transaction or event
takes place

Chapter 2 64
Hardware
Output Devices

Interactive
Data
Displays Printers Whiteboards
Projectors

Motion-
Joysticks,
Gamepads Sensing Game
Wheels
Controllers

Chapter 2 65
Hardware
Displays
• A display visually conveys text,
graphics, and video information
• A monitor is a display that is
packaged as a separate peripheral
device
 LCD monitor
• The quality of a display depends primarily on
its:
 Resolution
 Response time
 Brightness
 Dot pitch
 Contrast ration

Chapter 2 66
Hardware
Displays Cont.
• Today’s monitors use a digital signal to produce a picture
• To display the highest quality images, the monitor should plug
into:
 A DVI port, Digital Video Interface
 An HDMI port, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, a
proprietary audio/video interface
 A DisplayPort, is a digital display interface developed by
Dell. The interface is primarily used to connect a video
source to a display device such as a computer monitor.
• Home users sometimes use a digital television (DTV) as a
display
• HDTV is the most advanced form of digital television
• A Smart TV is an Internet-enabled HDTV

Chapter 2 67
Hardware
Printers
• A printer produces text
and graphics on a
physical medium

• Before purchasing a
printer, ask yourself a
series of questions:

Chapter 2 68
Hardware
Printers Cont.

• A nonimpact printer forms characters and

graphics on a piece of paper without
actually contacting the paper, they are:
 Ink jet
 Photo
 Laser
 All in one
 Thermal
 Mobile
 Label
 Plotter
 3-D

Chapter 2 69
Hardware
Printers Cont.

• Impact printers create an image by using

some mechanism to physically press an inked
ribbon against the page, causing the ink to be
deposited on the page in the shape desired.
• Remain in use today because of their unique
ability to function with multipart forms.

Chapter 2 70
Hardware
 Printers Cont.
• An ink-jet printer forms characters and graphics by
spraying tiny drops of liquid ink onto a piece of paper
 Color or black-and-white
 Speed is measured by the number of pages per minute (ppm) it can
print
• A thermal printer generates images by pushing electrically
heated pins against the heat-sensitive paper

• Plotters are used to produce high-quality drawings

Chapter 2 71
Hardware
Printers Cont.

• A 3-D printer uses a process called additive

manufacturing to create an object by adding material
to a three-dimensional object, one horizontal layer at
a time

Courtesy of google images

Chapter 2 72
Hardware
Other Output Devices
• A data projector is a device that
projects the text and images displaying
on a computer or mobile device screen
on a larger screen so that an audience
can see the image clearly

• An interactive whiteboard is a touch-

sensitive device, resembling a dry-
erase board, that displays the image on
a connected computer screen

Chapter 2 73
Hardware
Assistive Technology Input & Output

• Head-mounted pointer
• Screen readers
• Screen magnification software
• Navigation assistance
• Assistive listening devices
• Braille printer

Chapter 2 74
Hardware
Protecting Hardware
• To help reduce the chances of theft,
companies and schools use a
variety of security measures
 Physical access controls
 Alarm system
 Physical security devices
 Security or device-tracking app
 Require identification

Chapter 2 75
Hardware
Protecting Hardware Cont.
• A surge protector, also called a surge suppressor,
uses electrical components to provide a stable
current flow and minimize the chances of an
overvoltage reaching the computer and other
electronic equipment

• An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device

that contains surge protection circuits and one or
more batteries that can provide power during a
temporary or permanent loss of power

Chapter 2 76
Hardware
Last Slide

Chapter 2 77
Hardware