HARDWARE DEVICES

Module
1.2

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 CONTENT

The information processing cycle

Input devices
Output devices
Storage devices
Communication devices
Test and improve

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 THE INFORMATION
PROCESSING CYCLE

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 THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE

Input Processing Output

Keyboard CPU
Mouse RAM Screen
Touchpad
Printer
Touch screen
Data projector
Scanner
Touch screen
Digital camera
Speakers
Storage
Communication

Hard drive
SSD
Cellular modem Flash drive
Computers take data
ADSL and fibre Optical media and process it into
router information
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THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE

planning the data that needs to be collected

Input deciding on the best way to capture data

planning and creating data capture forms or instructions

sent directly to storage

communicated directly to other computers

Output
used as input for other programs, systems or parts of
same program

used to control equipment or devices

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 COMBINING INPUT SOURCES AND
OUTPUT DESTINATIONS

Most ICT systems use multiple input sources and output destinations

Smartphone or tablet Sensors to detect movement

and allow you to touch
may have
on-screen controls

POS (Point Of Sale) system might use

Specialised till keyboard + barcode scanner

+ card reader or fingerprint scanner

Musicians might connect

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) piano
keyboard + computer using USB + keyboard and mouse
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 PROCESSING

Processing
 takes place only when software and data are loaded into RAM
 uses a step‑by‑step solution (algorithm)
 uses data that has been input, creates information that can be output

Typically involves tasks such as

• searching
• sorting
• comparisons and decisions
• mathematical calculations
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 STORAGE

• Choose correct storage media

• Use security to protect sensitive data
(encryption and physical safe-keeping)
• Create and implement good backup policies
• Create and use storage of non-IT related
media (e.g. manual input forms)

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INPUT DEVICES

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 INPUT DEVICES

 Allows the ICT device to receive data and instructions

 First step in any information processing system

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 KEYBOARD

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Type in text (data) • Fastest way to enter • Not designed to be

• Give commands text used with a GUI
(function keys and • Easy to learn and use interface
shortcut keys) • Takes up space
• Can be difficult to use
for some people
• Keyboard skills
required

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 KEYBOARD

 Factors – buying decisions

 Ergonomic considerations
 Wireless vs cabled

 Troubleshooting
 ‘Sticky’ keys: clean with damp cloth / small brush
 Wireless keyboard not responding: batteries / dongle / port
 Wired keyboard not responding: disconnect and reconnect

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 MOUSE

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Interact with graphic • Easy‑to‑learn • Best used at a fixed

elements on GUI • Effective way to workplace with a
• Click, double‑click, interact with GUI suitable surface area
right‑click, scroll, drag • Entry-level mouse not
very precise or
... also whilst pressing accurate
Alt or Ctrl on keyboard

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 MOUSE

 Factors – buying decisions

 Ergonomic considerations
 Wireless vs cabled

 Troubleshooting
 ‘Sticky’ mouse: use a clean, smooth, non ‑reflective surface
 Wireless mouse not responding: batteries / dongle / port
 Wired mouse not responding: disconnect and reconnect
 Final solution: reboot computer

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 TOUCH SCREEN

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Replacement of / • Serves as both mouse • Not as easy to use as a

addition to mouse and keyboard physical keyboard
and keyboard • Natural input, such as • Some need extra
• Direct interaction drawing and gestures pressure to work
with on-screen • Intuitive interactions, e.g. • Quality of the ‘touch
elements swiping, pinching, experience’ depends on
• Best interface for expanding OS being used
systems with • Easy to use, intuitive, • Screen display area
limited options requires little training reduced
• Not easy to use for
certain tasks

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 TOUCH PAD

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Replaces mouse in • User does not have to • Not as accurate or

devices such as carry an extra device precise as a mouse
laptops such as a mouse • Can be difficult to use
• Same actions as with drag and drop
mouse, without need operations – and
for desk or extra because of limited size
surface area of touch pad itself
• Cannot be repositioned
in relation to screen for
ease of use

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 SCANNER

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Capturing images • Easy to convert • Quality of scanned image

from paper sources documents into digital depends on quality of the
• Capturing images of format original doc / image
text for conversion • OCR text conversion • Affected by dirt or
to editable text with faster than retyping fingerprints on glass, or
OCR software • Easy to convert old dust on sensor
• Reading barcodes film photos into digital • Books difficult to scan
format with flatbed scanners
• Benefits environment • Can be slow
as less paper and ink
are used

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SCANNER – OTHER ADVANTAGES & USES

Office Automation POS and database Other uses

• Large documents – • Library and Point of • Number plates of cars

scanned and combined Sale (POS) systems – scanned and recorded
into a single digital file provide quick and on e-toll roads
• Digital copies save accurate input • Access control systems
office space – swipe cards and
• Scanned copies can be RFID tags read by
emailed wireless devices
– biometric input
• Older documents can
devices such as
be archived
fingerprint scanners

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 SCANNER – TROUBLESHOOTING

 Errors in image size or quality: check settings of the

scanning software
 Non ‑ responsive scanner: check if
 switched on
 plugged in
 properly connected to USB port
 lock switch is off

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 DIGITAL CAMERA

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Capturing images • Photos already in digital • Photos are easy to
• Capturing videos format lose along with the
• Alternative to • Easy to use device
scanners for • Doesn’t cost money to • Quality of photos
photographing and take photos depends on quality
capturing documents • View photos instantly of camera
in digital format • Photos are easy to share
• Barcode or QR code • GPS feature will include
reader location in metadata –
geo-tagging

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 DIGITAL CAMERA

 Factors – buying decisions

 Resolution
 Number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image
 Minimum 300 dpi for printing
 72 dpi suitable for on ‑ screen / web display

 Image quality depends on:

 Colour depth – the higher, the better (32 bits currently the
maximum)
 Sensor size – the bigger, the better
 ISO rating – the camera’s sensitivity to light (higher is better)

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 LIFE BEFORE DIGITAL

With film-based cameras, users cannot view their photos at all

without developing them (‘printing’ them through a chemical
process). Developing each film-based photo costs money and
takes time, and there is no way of knowing in advance whether
such photos are good or bad.

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 WEBCAM

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Internet video • Cheap • Very low resolution --
communication • Small doesn’t create good
• ‘Live feeds’ of events • Often built into images
• Remote control portable computers • Must be connected to
security cameras • Video calls allow you to an ICT device to work
see the person you are
talking to

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 WEBCAM – TROUBLESHOOTING

 If webcam is unresponsive, check that it is

 plugged in properly
 switched on
 selected as the current camera to be used by the software

 Webcam software (or operating system utilities) can

be used to test functionality and to troubleshoot
problems

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 MICROPHONE

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Record sound • Record verbal • Built-in microphones

• Communicate communication don’t generally provide
• Give voice commands high quality sound
• Add sound input to a • Difficult to use in noisy
computer environments
• Use software to edit,
analyse or manipulate
sound

 Troubleshooting
 Usually only if plugged into the wrong jack, or set on mute
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OUTPUT DEVICES

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 OUTPUT DEVICES

Output – how an ICT device shows the results of processing

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 MONITOR OR DISPLAY

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Interactive feedback • Immediate feedback to • Quality of display

• Extra visual alerts for user related to monitor size
hearing-impaired • Allows for interaction • Size of the monitor
people between user and PC limits portability
• Displayed content can • Output difficult to share
easily be changed (unless it is a projector)
• Text can be enlarged for • Image quality affected
the visually impaired / by natural lighting of
high contrast used environment
• Display options can be
changed to suit user

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 MONITOR OR DISPLAY

 Factors – buying decisions

 Resolution
 Horizontal pixels x vertical pixels (e.g. 1024 x 768)
 Aspect ratio = relationship between width and height of display
(e.g. 16:9)

 Image quality depends on:

 Colour depth – the higher, the better (e.g. 24 bit)
 Pixel density (dpi) – a higher pixel density makes the display
crisper, clearer, easier to read
 Refresh rate – the higher, the better
 Contrast ratio –relationship between darkest black and brightest
white. Low contrast ratios produce soft, ‘muddy’ images

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 MONITOR OR DISPLAY

Troubleshooting
Problem Solution

Colours faded, too strong or muddy, or

Adjust settings (contrast, brightness, etc.)
image too bright or too dim

Change resolution to recommended /

Image ‘blocky’ or stretched
best setting

Connector or cable is damaged – check

Image tinted a colour
and replace if necessary
Monitor not receiving power / cable not in
No display properly / computer not switched on /
monitor faulty – check, swop or replace
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 SPEAKERS AND HEADPHONES

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Play sound • Headphones – listen to • Sound quality depends

• Provide audible sounds without disturbing on quality of peripheral
feedback others around you • To play loud enough
• Provide • Headphones – listen to for a group – need
notifications to sounds on mobile devices additional audio
people with visual ‘on the go’ equipment, e.g. an
disabilities • Speakers – a group of external amplifier
• Listen to voice people can hear sound at • Use of speakers can
messages, interact the same time cause distraction / be
via communication annoying
software – Skype
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 SPEAKERS AND HEADPHONES

 Troubleshooting
 If no sound from speakers or headphones
 might be plugged into wrong jack (e.g. microphone jack)
 speakers that need power might not be plugged in, or switched off
 computer’s sound settings may be low or on mute
 computer might be set to use the wrong sound output device

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 PRINTERS

Uses Advantages Limitations

Laser Laser Laser

Print black and white or • Speed • Not the best for printing good
colour documents • High quality text quality colour photos
• Low running costs • Toner not absorbed by the
Inkjet
paper – can wear off
Print black and white or Inkjet
colour documents • Cheaper to buy Inkjet
• Best quality photographic • Higher running costs
Dot-matrix
printers • Slower printing speeds
Most often used as POS
• Text print quality not as good
(Point Of Sale) printer for Dot-matrix
as that of laser printers
receipts, invoices, etc. • Cheap
• Low running costs Dot-matrix
• Can create carbon copies • Low print quality

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 PRINTERS – TROUBLESHOOTING

 Printer is unresponsive
 Not plugged in / power is off
 Not properly connected to computer
 Wrong printer selected in print dialogue box
 Content incorrect and does not make sense
 Wrong printer driver installed
 Poor picture quality
 Printout faded or irregular – low on ink or toner
 Wrong type of paper
 Network printer not working
 Network settings of printer or computer are wrong
 Paper stuck in printer – remove manually
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 PRINTERS

 Factors – buying decisions

 Speed – pages per minute (ppm)

 Colour – separate cartridges for colours are better

 Resolution – higher resolution is better (but uses more ink / toner)

 Cost per page

 Paper – type of paper is important, also paper size (e.g. A4, A3)

 System compatibility – can it be used with a specific OS?

 Wireless / wired capability – built ‑ in wireless functionality (e.g.

Bluetooth) / port to connect to a cabled network
 Mobility – generally not designed to be mobile
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 3D PRINTING

Use Advantages Limitations

• Create physical • Print out prototypes of • Expensive (but generally

3D objects from new designs work out cheaper in the
designs created in • Print ‘once-off’ custom long run)
software parts – more affordable • Can be slow, noisy,
(e.g. CAD) • Print tools and parts as smelly
and when needed • Need a lot of control
• Create newer, and attention to work
revolutionary designs well

 Troubleshooting
 Problems can be hard to solve – many factors involved
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 DATA PROJECTOR

Use Advantage Limitations

To project an image of Allows the display to be • Resolution of images not

the display onto a screen, viewed by a large group as good as those of high
wall or other surface to of people quality display monitors
share it with an audience • Normally limited to 4:3
aspect ratio
• Lower contrast ratios
 Troubleshooting result in muddier images
with lower colour quality
 Similar problems as monitors
 Bulb might be blown • Images not as bright as
 Special drivers may be needed those of high quality
display monitors
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STORAGE DEVICES

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 HARD DRIVE

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Store data and • Larger capacity than • Easily damaged if

software permanently RAM improperly handled
• Act as ‘virtual memory’ • Cheaper per GB than • Comparatively slow, as
(some free disk space RAM it operates on a
used as if it were RAM) • Store data and mechanical basis
programs when device
is switched off

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 HARD DRIVE – TROUBLESHOOTING

 Storage may be nearly full

 Delete or remove files

 System seems slow and unresponsive

 Use disk defragmentation utility to rearrange
files on disk – so scattered parts of files can
be put back together

 Files are corrupted

 Because computer did not shut down properly,

or programs crashing
 Right-click on disk  Properties  Tools 
Check

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 EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Store and carry media, • Large capacity • Not as small as a flash

data and software • Portability drive
around with you • As vulnerable to
• Ease of use
• Store backups away improper handling as
• High speed
from the computer internal hard drives
• Reliability (mechanical and
• Provide extra storage magnetic)
(without need to open • Can drain battery
computer) power on laptop

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 FLASH DRIVE

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Carry data and • Portability • Easy to lose, easily
software around with • Fast data access stolen
you • • More expensive per GB
Cheap
• Make backups than hard drives
• Larger capacities than optical
• Distribute data and media • Lower capacities than
software • newer hard drives
Industry‑standard use
• Reliability
• Easy to use
(adding and deleting files)
• No need for external power
source Social and ethical
• May include embedded security considerations

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 SSD (SOLID STATE DRIVE)

• Completely electronic alternative to traditional hard drive

• Much faster than traditional (mechanical) hard drives

• No moving parts – not easily damaged by being dropped or moved

whilst in use

• Much more energy-efficient, durable and quieter than traditional

hard drives
• Much more expensive per GB than traditional hard drives.

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 OPTICAL MEDIA (CDS/DVDS)

Uses Advantages Limitations

• Distributing software • Affordability • Slow

• Distributing and • Portability • Easily damaged
storing e.g. movies • Industry­‑standard • Relatively small capacity
and music use (700 MB for a CD,
• Backing up 4.7– 8.5 GB for a DVD)
• Not as easy or intuitive to
write to as flash drives
• Laptops are increasingly
designed without optical
drives

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 OPTICAL MEDIA (CDS/DVDS)

 Troubleshooting
 Often fail or experience problems because they get dirty
(Clean disc by wiping it with a soft damp cloth)

 Easily damaged and scratched

(Difficult to repair – usually have to replace it)

 Writeable and re ‑ writeable discs easily damaged by heat

or cold
( Nothing can be done to fix this damage)

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 DECISIONS ABOUT STORAGE

 What size hard drive do you need?

Entry-level drives sufficient for anyone except people who
 play computer games
 edit photos, sound (music) or video
 have large media collections
 Do you need an optical drive?
 Yes – if you want to read and play music and DVDs, read old discs
 If good internet connection, this is not necessary
 Do you need to write optical disks?
 No – flash drives and portable hard drives more effective and
convenient
 Do you need an SSD?
 Ideal in laptops and mobile devices
 If speed is an important consideration
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COMMUNICATION
DEVICES

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 CELLULAR MODEM

Use Advantages Limitation

• Access the internet • Easy to install and use • Easily lost or stolen
wherever there is (plug into USB port)
cellphone reception • Small – portable
internet access on any
computer
• 3G/4G network is fast

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 ADSL AND FIBRE ROUTER

Uses Advantages Limitations

• ADSL router – • ADSL router – make and • ADSL – you need a
for ADSL internet receive phone calls and landline
connection be connected to internet • Fibre – physical cable
(telephone line) at same time connection to an
• Fibre router – • Includes built-in switch existing fibre network
for fibre internet • WiFi capability of router – • ADSL cable theft a
connection can connect devices problem because of
wirelessly the copper content

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TEST AND IMPROVE

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WRITTEN MODULE ACTIVITY

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