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Overview of Computer Hardware Components

1. A computer accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. It consists of hardware and software. Common computer types include mainframes, supercomputers, handhelds, servers, and personal computers. 2. Personal computers include desktops, laptops, notebooks, netbooks, tablet PCs, and PDAs. The basic components of a computer are input devices, processing units, storage, and output devices. 3. A computer's hardware includes components like the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, optical drive, and ports. The motherboard contains the CPU, RAM slots, connectors and ports to connect other components.

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647 views7 pages

Overview of Computer Hardware Components

1. A computer accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. It consists of hardware and software. Common computer types include mainframes, supercomputers, handhelds, servers, and personal computers. 2. Personal computers include desktops, laptops, notebooks, netbooks, tablet PCs, and PDAs. The basic components of a computer are input devices, processing units, storage, and output devices. 3. A computer's hardware includes components like the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, optical drive, and ports. The motherboard contains the CPU, RAM slots, connectors and ports to connect other components.

Uploaded by

Elixa Hernandez
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© All Rights Reserved
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  • Introduction to Computer Systems
  • Hardware Overview
  • Parts of Personal Computer
  • System Unit Exterior
  • Internal Components and Acronyms

Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NCII

What is Computer?
A computer is defined as a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and
produces output. It consists of input, storage, and output devices. A typical computer system comprises
hardware and software.

Computer Categories
1. Mainframe – is a large and expensive computer that is capable of simultaneously processing
data for hundreds or thousands of users. (1940s)
2. Supercomputer – one of the fastest computers in the world. (1960s)
3. Handheld Computers- is a very small computer — usually weighing less than a pound — that
you can hold comfortably in your hand or carry in a jacket pocket. (1980s)
4. Servers - A server is a powerful computer that acts as a central resource for a number of other
computers that are connected to it.
5. Personal Computers (microcomputer) – are the computers typically used by a single user, for
use in the home or office. (1980s)

Personal Computer
Types of PC
1. Desktop - A desktop is by far the most common type of computer. Most desktop systems come
with a separate computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. On older desktops, the
computer case lies flat on the desk with the monitor sitting on top.
2. Laptop - A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a
display, a keyboard, a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a trackpad, and/or a pointing
stick), speakers, and often including a battery, into a single small and light unit.
3. Notebook - A notebook is a mobile computer with a full sized keyboard and a flip up monitor. It
does not have space for built in optical or floppy disk drives but instead provides communication
ports so that an external drive can be connected. This allows a notebook to be much thinner
than a laptop.
4. Netbook - A netbook or mini PC is a mobile computer with a keyboard smaller than full size
(some are less than half the size) and a flip up monitor. It also does not have space for built in
storage drives but does provide ports for connecting an external drive. Netbook can have a
screen up to 10 inches from corner to corner
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5. Tablet PC - A mobile computer without a keyboard. It has a monitor that forms one side of the
device. The monitor is touch sensitive and can present a virtual keyboard when input is
required.
6. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) - is a handheld device designed to help people organize
their lives while on the move. While the original PDAs were somewhat limited to storing
addresses, phone numbers, calendar appointments, and task lists, modern PDAs often work as
a cell phone and fax, provide Internet connectivity, and much more.

How a computer works?

input process output

storage

HARDWARE
Input devices
1. Mouse - device used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Although mice come
in many shapes, the typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse
2. Keyboard - is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like the keyboard on a typewriter,
it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also has special keys
3. Webcam - is the loosely used term for any camera that generates images that can be accessed
by and displayed on the world wide web through a server. A webcam is essentially just a
camera that is connected to a computer
4. Scanner - Computer peripheral or a stand-alone device that converts a document, film, graphic,
or photograph to a digital image, manipulable through an appropriate software
5. Microphone - device that converts sound waves into analogous electrical waves
6. Graphic tablet - is a computer input device that enables a user to hand-draw images and
graphics, similar to the way a person draws images with a pencil and paper. These tablets may
also be used to capture data or handwritten signatures.

Output devices

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1. Speaker - device connected to a computer's sound card that outputs sounds generated by the
computer
2. Printer - is a computer peripheral device that produces a hard copy (permanent human-
readable text and/or graphics, usually on paper) from data stored in a computer connected to it
a. Inkjet printer
b. Dot Matrix Printer
c. Laser Printer
3. Monitor - A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of
the monitor that displays the information is called the screen.
a. LCD –Liquid Crystal Display
b. CRT – Cathode Ray Tube
c. LED – Light Emitting Diode
4. Plotter - The plotter was the first computer output device that could print graphics as well as
accommodate full-size engineering and architectural drawings.

Processing
1. Random Access Memory (RAM) - is a form of computer data storage. A random-access
device allows stored data to be accessed in very nearly the same amount of time for any
storage location, so data can be accessed quickly in any random order.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) - is the hardware within a computer system which carries out
the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and
input/output operations of the system.

Storage Devices
1. Hard disk drive (HDD) - computer's primary means of storage, holding almost all of your
programs and files. The hard disk drive is normally located inside the system unit.
2. Floppy Disk Drive (FDD) - is a computer disk drive that enables a user to save data to
removable diskettes.
3. Optical Disk Drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within
or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from
optical discs. Some drives can only read from discs, but recent drives are commonly both
readers and recorders, also called burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs
are common types of optical media which can be read and recorded by such drives.

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4. Flash drive - is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated Universal
Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and
physically much smaller than a floppy disk.

Parts of Personal Computer

Parts of Keyboard

Parts of Mouse

Parts of System Unit


1. CPU
2. RAM

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3. ODD
4. HDD
5. FDD
6. Motherboard (Mobo)
7. Power Supply

The Front Panel

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The Back Panel

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Parts of Motherboard

1. CPU Socket
2. Memory Slot or RAM Slot
3. 24 Pin Power Connector
4. 4 Pin Power Connector
5. North Bridge Chipset
6. South Bridge Chipset
7. IDE Connector
8. FDD Connector
9. SATA Connector
10. Front Panel Headers
11. Audio Headers
12. USB Headers
13. PCIE Slot or AGP Slot
14. PCI Slot
15. CMOS Battery slot
16. Back Panel Ports
17. Jumpers
18. CPU Fan Connector

Acronyms

1. IDE - Integrated Drive Electronics


2. PS2 - Personal System/2
3. SATA – Serial Advance Technology Attachment
4. PATA – Parallel Advance Technology Attachment
5. USB – Universal Serial Bus
6. CMOS – Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
7. PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect
8. PCIE - Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
9. AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port
10. BIOS – Basic Input-Output System
11. VGA – Video Graphics Array
12. HDMI - High-Definition Multimedia Interface
13. DVI – Digital Visual Interface
14. DDR – Double Data Rate
15. DIMM - Dual In-Line Memory Module

Common questions

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The evolution from desktops to tablets reflects a shift towards mobility, convenience, and touch interactivity driven by user needs for portability and ease of use. Technological advancements in processing power, battery efficiency, and touch-screen technology facilitated this transition. While desktops provided robust computing power for stationary use, tablets offer the same operability with enhanced mobility and interaction through touch, catering to both personal and professional environments .

Modern PDAs have evolved with advancements in technology such as integration with cell phones, Internet connectivity, and multifunctional capabilities like handling email, GPS, and multimedia, which extend beyond the original limitations of address and task management. This versatility comes from improvements in processor power, mobile network technologies, and software ecosystems, allowing PDAs to serve as comprehensive mobile devices .

Netbooks, being smaller and low-powered machines, come with certain hardware limitations such as smaller screen sizes (up to 10 inches), reduced keyboard size, and limited processing power. They do not include built-in storage drives but provide ports for external connections, making them portable but less suitable for demanding applications or multitasking. Usability may be compromised for users requiring full-sized keyboards or those who perform graphics-intensive tasks. These constraints might impede productivity for tasks beyond basic web browsing or document editing .

Hard disk drives (HDDs) use magnetic storage to read and write data on spinning disks, offering large storage capacity at lower costs, suitable for desktops and laptops . Solid-state drives (SSDs), being faster and without moving parts, use flash memory technology for higher performance and durability, making them ideal for applications needing speed, like gaming or professional media work. Flash drives, small and portable, leverage the same technology as SSDs for data transfer and backup but offer smaller capacities .

Integrating a webcam into a computer system enhances its multimedia capabilities by enabling video communication, video conferencing, and content creation. It allows users to capture real-time video and makes interaction with other multimedia applications seamless, supporting growing demands for remote communication and online content sharing in personal and professional use cases .

Server computers, being powerful and centralized resources, significantly impact networked computing by managing resources, hosting applications, and storing data for multiple clients or users. This enhances efficiency, security, and collaborative work within an organization, allowing for centralized control and management of computing assets. Servers facilitate scalable solutions in IT infrastructures, supporting various services like web hosting, email, and databases .

Input and output devices interact by allowing users to communicate with the computer and receive feedback. Input devices like keyboards and mice send data to the computer for processing, while output devices such as monitors and printers display or produce the results of the processing. For example, when a user types on a keyboard (input), the computer processes the data and can display it as text on a monitor (output).

The motherboard serves as the central hub that connects all components of a computer system. It houses the CPU socket, memory slots, power connectors, and various chipsets, allowing for integration and communication between the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and peripherals. The motherboard facilitates data transfer and power distribution, making it essential for overall system functionality .

A supercomputer is one of the fastest computers in the world, capable of processing massive amounts of data at extremely high speeds. It is used for complex and resource-intensive tasks such as climate research, scientific simulations, and cryptographic analysis . In contrast, a personal computer is typically used by a single user for everyday tasks such as browsing the internet, creating documents, and running simple software applications, primarily in home or office settings .

The CPU and RAM are critical to computer performance. The CPU executes instructions and processes data, determining the speed and capability of operations performed by the computer. RAM serves as temporary storage, providing the CPU with fast-access data necessary for execution. Larger RAM capacity allows more applications to run simultaneously without slowing down, directly impacting multitasking ability and speed . A balanced combination of a powerful CPU and sufficient RAM results in an overall optimized system performance.

Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NCII What is Computer? A computer is defined as
Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing 5. Tablet PC - A mobile computer without a keyboard. It has a monitor that for
Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing 1. Speaker - device connected to a computer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comp
Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing 4. Flash drive - is a data storage device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_s
Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing 3. ODD 4. HDD 5. FDD 6. Motherboard (Mobo) 7. Power Supply The Front Panel 5
Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing The Back Panel 6
Module 1 (HARDWARE) Computer Systems Servicing Parts of Motherboard 1. CPU Socket 2. Memory Slot or RAM Slot 3. 24 Pin Power

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