COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware refers to any physical/tangible part of the computer that you can touch, feel, see and pickup.

Classification of computer hardware

1) Input devices 4) Storage devices
2) Processing devices 5) Communication devices
3) Output devices

Input devices
 Computer input refers to any data and instructions entered/fed into a computer for processing.
 Computer input devices are components/devices that enable a user to enter/feed data and instructions
into a computer for processing.

The two types of computer input are:

1. Data
2. Command

Examples of Input devices

1. Keyboard 8. Scanner 14. Touch screen
2. Mouse 9. Digital camera etc
3. Touchpad 10. Bar code reader
4. Trackball 11. Digital video camera
5. Stylus and graphics tablet 12. Web camera
6. Joystick 13. Magnetic stripe recognition
7. Microphone

1
  KEYBOARDS
Keyboards are used to input text, numbers and instructions into the computer.
Keyboard. An electronic device that is used to enter alpha numeric data by pressing
keys. Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to input
data to the computer.

Keyboards are of two sizes 84 keys or 101/102 keys, but now keyboards with 104 keys
or 108 keys are also available for Windows and Internet.

It consists of the following parts as follows

S.No Keys & Description

1 Typing Keys

These keys include the letter keys (A-Z) and digit keys (09) which generally give
the same layout as that of typewriters.

2 Numeric Keypad

It is used to enter the numeric data or cursor movement. Generally, it consists of a

set of 17 keys that are laid out in the same configuration used by most adding
machines and calculators.

3 Function Keys

The twelve function keys are present on the keyboard which are arranged in a row
at the top of the keyboard. Each function key has a unique meaning and is used for
some specific purpose.
 4 Control keys

These keys provide cursor and screen control. It includes four directional arrow
keys. Control keys also include Home, End, Insert, Delete, Page Up, Page Down,
Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), Escape(Esc).

5 Special Purpose Keys

Keyboard also contains some special purpose keys such as Enter, Shift, Caps Lock,
Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.

QN. Give the function of each part of the keyboard as mentioned above.

Uses of the keyboard

1) Used to input data into applications
2) Used to enter commands into the computer

Advantages of keyboards
1) Are more reliable because information you type appears on the screen so it is easy to
know whether it is correct.
2) Entering data and instructions is generally faster
3) It is not necessary to buy additional equipment because most computer systems are
normally supplied with keyboards

Disadvantages of keyboards
1) People with wrist and hand problems find using keyboards painful to use.
2) Typing speeds are still very slow when compared to computer speeds.
3) It takes a lot of time to practice in order to type quickly and accurately.

 Mouse.
A mouse: is the most widely used pointing device on personal computers.
Pointing: devices are part of hardware used to control a pointer (cursor) on a screen.
The basic function of a mouse are;
Pointing, selecting objects, moving objects through dragging, scrolling pages up and down,
drawing diagrams, giving commands etc.
 Mouse operations include;
Clicking. This refers to pressing the left button and releasing it quickly
Double clicking. This is the pressing the left mouse button twice and realizing it quickly.
Right clicking. This refers to the pressing the right mouse button once and releasing it.
Scrolling. This is the act of moving pages of a document up and down on the computer
screen. It is done by rolling the ball.

Parts of a mouse
The mouse has three major parts
1. The left mouse button 2. The right mouse button 3. The wheel/ The ball
The left mouse button/primary button. This is the most commonly used button.
It is found on the left hand side of the mouse. It carries out the following functions.
1. Clicking: This is refers to the act of pressing the left mouse button once
2. Double clicking: This is the act of pressing the left mouse button twice quickly
3. Dragging: This is the act of moving items around the screen.
4. Scrolling: This is the act of moving long pages up or down the screen
5. Selecting/highlighting: This is the act of choosing an item on which to apply an effect
6. Moving the pointer
7. Drawing pictures
8. Creating shortcuts.
Advantages of Mice:
1) Fast to select icons and options
2) Very easy to move a pointer around
3) It does not take time to master the techniques of using the mouse.
4) Mice fit comfortably below the palm
5) Not very expensive

6) Moves the cursor faster than the arrow keys of the keyboard.

Disadvantages of Mice:
1) Mice need a flat surface in order to work properly
2) Ball mice can pick up dirt which will affect the accuracy of pointer movement.
3) A mouse needs more desk space to operate
4) You need to move a hand from the key board to move the pointer or execute a command
given
 5) It is not easy and convenient to input text with a mouse
6) Issuing commands by using a mouse is slower than by using a keyboard
7) A mouse is not accurate enough when it comes to drawings that require high precision

Major problems that often affect the proper functioning of the mouse
1) Dirt disrupts motion of the ball in the mechanical mouse
2) Nature of the surface-not too rough or too smooth
3) Disconnection of the chord in case the mouse falls down
4) Connecting the mouse to the system unit one must be very careful to follow the directions
of the pins

Solutions to the problems

1) Cleaning the ball and rollers regularly
2) Providing the correct roll surface or mouse pad
3) Avoid mouse falling or hanging on the chord by tying twists on both the mouse and
keyboard

QN. Mention any three types of Mice as used in computers

Desktop mouse. This is known as mechanical mouse commonly used on desktop and
tower computers. It has got 2or 3 push buttons plus a ball on its underside and the rollers
inside.
Optical mouse. This uses a laser beam of light to send signals to the CPU so as to move
the pointer on the screen. An optical mouse resembles and works like desktop mouse but
however it has no balls and rollers but has 3 push buttons like those of desktop mouse.
Cordless mouse. This is the recent invention in mouse technology. It is termed as
wireless mouse because it doesn’t have the cord/ physical wire. This mouse works on
the basis of an installed program in the computer which make it to sense it as it is
brought closer to the computer.
Track Ball Mouse: This is commonly used on laptop computers
Touch pad mouse: This is commonly used on laptop computers

 Track ball
 This is a small pointing device normally seen on laptops. It is embedded within the
systems unit with the keyboard of a laptop. It has a free small rolling ball fixed on its top
which is rolled with the index fixed finger to move the pointer on the screen.
Advantages of trackballs
1) Pointer can be positioned more exactly which makes trackballs very useful for image
editing.
2) Can be used even when there is no flat surface available.
3) Good for limited desk space because the user does not have to move the entire device.

Disadvantages of trackballs
1) More expensive than mice.
2) More difficult to learn to use than a mouse.
3) The ball mechanism of trackballs also requires more frequent cleaning than a mouse.

 Touch pad
This appointing device found on modern laptops just like a track ball, it is also embedded
within the systems unit. It has got a glass-like pad just below the keys.

Advantages of Touchpads:
1) Easier to select options and icons.
2) Touchpads are built into laptops so there is no need for a separate mouse. This helps
improve portability.
3) Can be used even when there is no flat surface available.
4) Won't get clogged with dirt so performance is never reduced.

Disadvantages of Touchpads:
1) More difficult to control a pointer
2) People with wrist and hand problems (like RSI) can find touchpads painful to use.
3) Some operations are more difficult to perform when compared to a mouse. Drag and
Drop for example.
 Remote Control: Remote controls are used to manage other devices using wireless signals.

Advantages of Remote Controls:

1) Devices can be operated without having to go to them.
2) Remote controls can operate devices that are in an unsafe environment.

Disadvantages of Remote Controls:

1) People with limited hand movement can find them difficult to use.
2) The signal between the remote control and the device it operates can become blocked by
obstacles.
 Scanners.
Scanner is an input device, which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when
some information is available on paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disk of the
computer for further manipulation.

Scanner captures images from the source which are then converted into a digital form
that can be stored on the disk. These images can be edited before they are printed. Pen
pocket readers also use this scanner principle to read lines of texts which are displayed
on screen.
Uses of Scanners
1) Used to scan hard copy / printed documents into a computer.
2) Old photos and important documents (like birth certificates) can be scanned into the
computer. This means you still have a copy if the original is damaged or lost.

Advantages of Scanners:
1) Very fast to enter hard copies into the computer
2) Digital copies of the stored data can easily be duplicated and backed up.

Disadvantages of Scanners:
1) Scanned images are usually of lesser quality than the original document.
2) Scanned images can take up a lot of disk space (especially if you scan them at a high
resolution).

 Light pens.
Light pen is a pointing device similar to a pen. It is used to select a displayed menu
item or draw pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an optical
system placed in a small tube.
 When the tip of a light pen is moved over the monitor screen and the pen button is
pressed, its photocell sensing element detects the screen location and sends the
corresponding signal to the CPU.

NOTE. Light pens are used in PDAs

 Digitizer
Digitizer is an input device which converts analog information into digital form.
Digitizer can convert a signal from the television or camera into a series of numbers that
could be stored in a computer. They can be used by the computer to create a picture of
whatever the camera had been pointed at.

Digitizer is also known as Tablet or Graphics Tablet as it converts graphics and pictorial
data into binary inputs. A graphic tablet as digitizer is used for fine works of drawing
and image manipulation applications.

 Barcode readers.
This one of the electronic technologies developed with the help of scanning barcodes
and identifying optical characters on the products which are in most cases in form of
bars and with the help of light containing much sensitive detector identifies and
recognizes bars in form of texts which are later fed in the computer for further
manipulation.
 Barcode readers can be seen in extensive supermarkets to identify certain items and their
prices.
Uses of Barcode Readers:
1) Used in supermarkets, stores and warehouses where goods are marked with a barcode.
2) Used in libraries to scan in library cards and read numbers on books to find out which
ones are on loan.
3) Used in keeping track of packages being delivered to different locations.
4) Also used in organizing luggage in airports (helps ensure that luggage is loaded onto the
correct plane).

Advantages of Barcode Readers:

1) Very accurate as there is no manual typing involved.
2) Bar codes can be printed by normal printing methods
3) There is no need to write down the name of the item or its actual price.

Disadvantages of Barcode Readers:

1) Quite an expensive way to gather information.
2) Rely on undamaged bar codes in order to function (A bar code reader can misread if there
is any dirt).
3) Only numbers can be coded
4) Bar codes cannot be read directly by people

 Voice recognition equipment.

These refer to all types of micro phones which are used to record and capture sound. Most of
multimedia computers have this capability. These are mostly used by musicians to record and
editing sound. The VRE includes all devices that capture and enter sound.

 Joysticks.
Joysticks are also popular devices for gaming. The handle allows gamers to control on-
screen characters and the buttons are used for things like firing weapons.
Uses of Joysticks:
1) Joysticks can control characters or objects in video games.
2) Can control industrial machinery (cranes for example)
3) Joysticks are used in simulators. For example flight simulators use joysticks in order for
trainee pilots to control the simulated plane.

Advantages of Joysticks
1) Easier to control an on-screen cursor or move an in-game character
2) Very simple to get used to and can be used by disabled people
3) The joystick allows fast interactions required in most games

Disadvantages of Joysticks
1) Difficult to use a joystick to select objects accurately on the screen.
2) People with hand/wrist issues (like RSI) can find them painful to use.
3) Difficult (but not impossible) to enter text.

 TOUCH SCREENS: Touch screens enable users to input commands into a computer by pressing
or touching buttons/icons on the screen. Touch screens are more suitable for use with a limited
amount of options.

Uses of Touch Screens:

1) Mobile phones and PDA's use touch screens as a way of saving space (a separate
keyboard would make the devices quite large).
2) Public information systems at airports or tourist information offices.
3) Interactive whiteboards in schools.
4) On-screen multiple choice tests (like driving theory tests) sometimes use touch screens.

Advantages of Touch Screens:

1) With a touch screen, no extra peripheral is needed except the monitor.
2) The touch screen allows easy access to commands which are identified by words or
symbols on the screen.

Disadvantages of Touch Screens:

1) Limited number of options available on the screen
2) Expensive compared to other input devices.
3) Touch screens are not suitable for inputting a large amount of data due to many arm
movements involved
 GRAPHICS TABLET AND STYLUS: A graphics tablet can be drawn on with a special pen called a
'stylus'. Whatever is drawn onto the tablet can be seen on a computer screen.

Uses of Graphics Tablets:

1) Allow designers to produce digital images much more accurately than if they were using a
mouse.

Advantages of Graphic Tablets:

1) The stylus can be pointed to different positions on the tablet quickly.
2) Very accurate drawings can be produced.
3) Useful where drawings and symbols are used instead of text.

Disadvantages of Graphic Tablets:

1) Very expensive when compared to a mouse.
2) Not useful for some input needs like entering data into the computer by clicking
icons or menus.
3) The stylus and graphics tablet normally have to work together and cannot work
separately.

 MICROPHONES: Microphones are used to input sounds into a digital computer.

Uses of Microphones:
1. Used to input sounds/speech for use in a range of applications
2. Used in voice recognition software.
3. 3. Hands-Free mobile phones enable people to hold conversations on phone without
using their hands
1) Used in gaming so that gamers can talk to each other.
Advantages of Microphones:
1. Faster to read text into a computer than to type it in using a keyboard.
2. Microphones are relatively cheap to buy.

Disadvantages of Microphones:
1. Sound files can take up a lot of computer storage space.
2. Speaking words into a computer is not as accurate as typing.
3. Background noise can interfere with input of data using microphones.

 DIGITAL CAMERAS: Digital cameras capture and store images on a memory card and these images
can easily be transferred onto a computer for viewing or editing.

Uses of Digital Cameras:

1) Used to capture digital images
2) Easy to transfer images to a computer for editing.
3) Images can be printed easily by Uploading to a computer and then printing.
 4) Most digital cameras also allow for short, high-quality video clips to be produced.

Advantages of Digital Cameras:

1) No film to develop.
2) Unwanted images can easily be deleted from the memory card.
3) Because the images are digital it is easy to make copies of them.
4) Save paper since there is no need to print at all images since the images can be viewed a
computer screen.
5) Memory cards can store thousands of digital photographs.
6) Digital images can easily be transferred using Bluetooth, email attachments and mobile
phones.
7) Digital images can be improved and edited easily using software

Disadvantages of Digital Cameras:

1) Digital cameras are more sensitive to shocks and dropping.
2) Digital cameras are normally more expensive than ordinary film cameras.
3) Photo printing costs for digital cameras is generally higher.
4) Not all digital cameras produce images as high-quality as traditional cameras.
5) Camera user needs to have computer skills to be able to transfer and print digital
photographs.

 WEB CAMERAS (WEBCAMS): Web cameras can capture both digital images and video
that are sent over the internet.

Uses of Web Cameras:

1) Used to conduct face-to-face conversations with friends and family on the internet.
2) Used to hold video-conferencing meetings over the Internet.
3) Can capture image and video content for presentations and web sites
4) Some people use web cams as a cheap alternative to security cameras.

Advantages of Web Cameras:

1) Allow for long-distance face-to-face conversations.
2) Video conference business meetings and job interviews can be conducted very cheaply
over long distances.
3) Web cams can be left running constantly which makes them useful as security devices on
properties.

Disadvantages of Web Cameras:

1) The image/video quality can sometimes be poor (low resolution).
2) Webcams do not have their own storage and so must be permanently fixed to the
computing device.
3) 3) Are usually in a fixed position and so cannot be easily moved around.

 MAGNETIC STRIPE READER: Reads information from magnetic stripes found on Bank Cards,
Membership Cards and Hotel Door Cards

Uses of a Magnetic Stripe Reader:

 1) ATM's use these readers to process the information on bank cards.
2) EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale) use the readers to transfer customer's
money from their bank accounts when they purchase goods in stores.
3) Hotel rooms sometimes use magnetic stripe readers in place of door keys.

Advantages of using a Magnetic Stripe Reader:

1) Entering data is very fast.
2) No possibility of data entry errors as there is no typing involved.
3) The stripes on cards are not affected by water and so are not easily damaged.
4) 4) Data held on the card cannot be read by eye so card details are safe.

Disadvantages of using a Magnetic Stripe Reader:

1) The magnetic stripe on cards can only hold a small amount of data.
2) Cane be damaged easily by exposure to a strong magnetic field.
3) Magnetic stripes on cards are easily duplicated

 MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER RECOGNITION (MICR): MICR is a system used to read information
printed in special ink on documents like bank Cheques

Uses of MICR:
1) MICR devices are mainly used to process Cheques.
2) Some countries also use MICR devices to read the passport number on passports.

Advantages of MICR:
1) Cheques can be processed very quickly (up to 300 per minute).
2) Greater security because the special ink characters cannot be changed or forged.
3) No manual input therefore less errors
4) Information can still be read even if someone writes over the magnetic ink characters.
5) Reading is accurate.

Disadvantages of MICR:
1) MICR readers and encoders are expensive.
2) The system can only accept a few different character sets.

 DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERAS: Digital video cameras record motion digitally on a disk and have the
capability to take still images as well.
 PC Camera: This is a video camera that is in-built right within the computer. This is common on
laptops. It can take photos of the person facing into the computer screen once activated.