Limitation of RAM
i) Limited storage capacity.
ii) Volatile in nature i.e, its contents get removed when power is turned off .
Differences Between RAM and ROM
RAM ROM
i. Random Access Memory Read-only memory
ii. Ram is a form of data storage that Rom is also a form data storage that
Can be accessed randomly at any time, generally stores hardweired
In any order by CPU. Instructions for the computer to
start initially.
iii. RAM contents can change or altered as and ROM cannot be easily altered .
When required.
iv. It allows reading and writing. It only allows reading.
v. RAM is Volatile i.e its contents ROM is non-volatile i.e its contents
are lost when the device is powered off. Are retained even when the device
is powered off.
vi. RAM chips can read the data faster than ROM. ROM is slower as compared to RAM
Secondary Memory:
*Primary Memory has a limited storage capacity and it is not permanent , secondary
storage devices are used to store large amount of data permanently.
Various Types of Secondary Storage Devices are :
1. Hard Disks
The hard disk memories store information on one or more circular platters (or disks)
magnetic material which are continually spinning.
Information is recorded on the surface of rotating disks by magnetic heads as tiny
magnetic spots.
2. Compact Disks (CDs) and DVDs
The compact disks are optical media having a storage capacity of upto 700 MB.
DVD is an optical storage device that looks the same as a compact disc but is able to
hold about 15 times as much information and transfer it to the computer about 20
times as fast as a CD-ROM.
3. Pen/Thumb Drives Flash Memories
Flash is a 'solid state' memory i.e, it has no moving parts unlike magnetic storage
devices, nor does it make use of lasers unlike optical drives.
Instead, it works in a similar way to RAM. The key difference is that data is retained in
Flash memory even when the power is switched off.
Pen drives with storage capacities of upto 2 TB are available nowadays.
4. Blu-Ray disc
Blu-ray is the successor to DVD.
The blue laser can write more data compared to red laser of DVDs.
Blu-ray disc can store much more data in the same 12 centimetre space. These days
Blu-ray discs of capacities 25 GB, 50 GB are commonly available.
5. Memory Stick (Memory Card)
A memory stick is a type of removable memory card that you connect to a computer
or other piece of electronic equipment to copy and store information.
Memory sticks are used as storage media for a portable device, in a form that can
easily be removed for access by a personal computer e.g., in digital cameras,
smartphones, camcorders, music players or portable PlayStations etc.
Input Devices
Microphone (Mic)
A mic converts the sound received into computer's format, which is called digitized
sound or digital audio.
A mic can work if your computer has a special hardware known as sound card.
Scanner
A scanner is a device similar to a photocopier.
A scanner creates an electronic form of the printed image, which can later be
manipulated, changed and modified according to the requirements.
Barcode Reader
A barcode reader is used to read barcodes which can be found on products in shops.
The barcode uses lasers to identify the position and thickness of the bars.
Light Pen
A light-sensitive input device shaped like a pen, used to draw on the computer screen
or to make menu selections.
Output Devices
The output unit is responsible for producing the output in user readable form.
Output devices like monitor (also called VDU i.e., Visual Display Unit), printer, plotter,
speakers etc. make the output unit of a computer.
Monitors
Monitor (or "screen") is the most common form of output from a computer.
It displays information in a similar way to that shown on a television screen.
The picture on a monitor is made up of thousands of tiny coloured dots called pixels.
Monitors these days use special types of screens called LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display).
Printers
A printer is a device by which the computer can deliver information on paper by
means of printed characters.
Printers can print in colours as well as in monochrome colours.
Speakers
Speakers receive the sound in form of electric current from the sound card and then
convert it to sound format.
Projector
A projector is an output device that can take the display of a computer screen and
project a large version of it onto a flat surface.
Projectors are often used in meetings and presentations to help make sure everyone
in the room can view the presentation.
Peripheral Devices
A peripheral device is any external device that provides input and output for the
computer.
For example, a keyboard and mouse are input peripherals, while a monitor and
printer are output peripherals.
Peripheral Devices' Ports
Ports are used to connect external devices to the computer.
These are the connecting points of various devices to the computer.
There exist several types of ports like serial port, parallel port, USB port.
1. Serial Ports
The serial port transfers data serially a bit at a time. Serial ports come in the form of
9-pin or 25-pin male connector.
2. Parallel Ports
Parallel ports can send or receive a byte (8-bit) parallely at a time.
Parallel ports come in the form of 25-pin female connector.
Parallel ports are popularly used to connect printer, scanner, CD writer, zip drive,
external hard disk drive, tape backup drive, etc.
3. USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports
It is a standard cable connection port for short distance digital data communication
with devices.
These devices include printers, scanners, mice, joystick, digital camera, web cameras,
speakers, telephones, zip drives, network connections scientific data acquisition
devices, etc.
4. Ethernet Port (RJ 45 Port)
In Ethernet port (aka jack or socket) is an opening on computer network equipment
that Ethernet cables plug into. Their purpose is to connect wired network hardware
in an Ethernet network. An Ethernet port accepts a cable that has an
RJ-45 connector.
5. HDMI Port
HDMI i.e., High Definition Multimedia Interface is an all-digital connector that can
carry high-definition video and several digital audio channels all on the one cable.