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Computer Hardware

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29 views16 pages

Computer Hardware

Uploaded by

Jane Orsal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer hardware

Objectives

1. Identify the essential hardware components of a computer


2. List key peripherals attached to most computers
3. Describe the four basic operations of the central processing unit(CPU)
4. Explained how power is measured for computers
5. Describe common computer input, output, and storage devices
6. List the names for six types of computers and describe how they are different
7. Describe computers network hardware devices and their functions
What is computer hardware?

 Computer hardware is defined as all of the


physical components of a computer. A computer is
a machine that uses electronic components and
instructions to the components to perform
calculations, repetitive and complex procedures,
process text, and manipulate data and signals.
Essential hardware components of a
computer:
 Motherboard- is a thin, flat sheet made of a firm, nonconducting material in which the
internal components- printed circuits, chips, slots, and so on of the computer are mounted.
 Memory- refers to the electronic storage devices or chips on the motherboard of a
computer. There are three key types of memory in a computer:
 Read-Only Memory(ROM)- is a form of permanent storage in the computer. It carries
instructions that allow the computer to be booted(started), and other essential machine
instructions.
 Random Access Memory(RAM)- refers to working memory used for primary storage. It
is used as temporary storage. Also known as main memory.
 Cache- is a smaller form of RAM. Its purpose is to speed up processing by storing
frequently called items in a small, rapid access memory location
Input and Output
 Input devices. These devices allow the computer to receive
information from outside world. The most common input devices
are the keyboard and mouse. Others commonly seen on nursing
workstations include the touch screen, light pen, voice and scanner.
 Output devices. These devices allow the computer to report its
results to the external world. Output devices are defined as any
equipment that translates the computer information into something
readable by people or other machines.
Storage media
 Hard Drive. The hard drive is a peripheral device that has very high
speed and high density. It is a very fast means of storing and
retrieving data as well as having a large storage capacity compared
with other types of storage.
 USB Flash drive. Is a form of a small, removable hard drive that is inserted into the USB
port of the computer
 Optical media. It includes CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray.

 Cloud storage. An extension of the online storage service offered by individual vendors is
cloud storage. Data stored “in the cloud” are still stored on commercial computers called
servers.
Five major types of Computers:
1. Supercomputers. The largest type of computer . It is a computational oriented computer
specially designed for scientific applications requiring a gigantic amount of calculations
that is useful and must be processed at superfast speeds.
2. Mainframes. Is the most common fast, large, and expensive type of computer used in
large businesses for processing,, storing, and retrieving the data.
3. Microcomputers (personal computers or PCs). A computer use to designed to support a
single user. This computer is much smaller and less powerful than a mainframe, PCs were
designed to be used by one person at a time.
4. Handheld Computers. Are small, special function computers but they are limited in their
expansion capabilities.
5. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Are the palm-sized computers. It is a very small
function handheld computer that provides calendar, contact, and note taking functions, and
may provide word processing, spread sheet and a variety of other functions.
Computer network hardware devices:
1. Network adapter or network interface card. Is a computer circuit board or card that is
installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network .
2. Communication medium(cabling). Is the means by which actual transfer of data from
one site to another takes place. Most of the time, the choice of a communication medium is
based on the following:
 Distance. Short distances are requires for wireless, compressed video, and coaxial cable
systems. For much longer distances, fiber-optics, telephone lines and satellite transmission
are used.
 Amount of data transfer. Large amounts of data are best handheld with coaxial cables
and compressed video and through satellite communications. Smaller amounts of data or
serial(nonvideo) streams are best handheld through the other wire types, such as twisted
pair copper wire and optical fiber which are less expensive.
 How often the transfer is needed. Coaxial works best for locally wired networks
that are used constantly by a very limited number of users. Telephone wires work
well for the relatively high-usage public networks but are more likely to get over
loaded when many users try to use the systems at the same time.
 Availability. Availability depends on cost, transmission speed, number of users,
weather conditions and so on.
REFERENCE:
Saba, V. & McCormick, K. Essential of Nursing Informatics(6th Edition). By McGraw- Hill
Education.
THANK YOU!!

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