Chapter 2

Computer Hardware
 2 Chapter Contents
Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, students should be able to understand the following:

What are the components of a typical personal computer system?

What is a computer form factor?
Is a home computer more or less desirable than a game or small business computer?
What’s the best way to select a computer?
Are PCs and Macs compatible?
Is it a good idea to upgrade and old computer?
How does a microprocessor work?
Why are some computers faster than the others?
Why does a computer need memory?
What is the best type of storage for my data?
What factors affect a computer’s screen display?
Are ink jet printers better than laser printers?
What’s the best way to add devices to a computer system?
How can I protect my computer system from theft and damage?
Are there guidelines for troubleshooting hardware and software problems?

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 2

 2 Chapter Contents
 Section A: Personal Computer Basics
 Section B: Microprocessors and Memory
 Section C: Storage Devices
 Section D: Input and Output Devices
 Section E: Hardware Security

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 3

 2
SECTION
A
Personal Computer Basics
 Personal Computer Systems
 Desktop and Portable Computers
 Home, Game, and Small Business Systems
 Buying Computer System Components

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 4

 2 Question
 022100 In the interest of being ecological, many consumers
consider upgrading their computers instead of disposing of
them and buying a new one. Which one of the following
upgrades is best left to professional technicians?
– A. Replacing the microprocessor with a newer model
– B. Adding an external hard drive for backup
– C. Swapping out a graphics card for a more powerful one
– D. Adding RAM

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 5

 2 Personal Computer Systems
 A personal computer system includes the system unit and
a wide variety of storage, input and output devices
 A peripheral device designates input, output and storage
equipment that might be added to a computer system to
enhance its functionality e.g. Printers, digital cameras,
scanners, joy-sticks and speakers.
 The system unit is the case that holds the computers main
circuit board, microprocessor, memory, power supply,
storage devices, display circuitry and sound circuitry.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 6

 2 Personal Computer Systems

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 7

 2 Desktop and Portable Computers
 The term form factor refers to
the size and dimensions of a
component, such as a system
board or system unit
 A desktop computer fits on a
desk and runs on power from an
electrical wall outlet. The main
component of a typical desktop
computer is a systems unit, plus
a mouse and a keyboard that
are connected to the main unit
by cables or wireless technology

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 8

 2 Desktop and Portable Computers
 A portable computer (mobile computer) is a small,
lightweight personal computer with a screen, keyboard,
storage and processing components integrated into a single
unit. Portable computers can be classified as notebooks,
netbooks and tablets
 A notebook computer (also referred to as a laptop), is a
small, lightweight portable computer that opens like a
clamshell to reveal a screen and keyboard. Notebook
computers cost a bit more than desktop computers with
similar computing power and storage capability.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 9

 2 Desktop and Portable Computers
 A netbook offers even more portability than a standard
computer. Classified as subnotebooks and sometimes as
mini-laptops , these are scaled down versions of notebook
computers. They are lightweight small and very portable.
 A tablet computer is a portable computing device featuring
a touch-sensitive screen that can be used as a writing or
drawing pad. Tablet computers are also configured to accept
voice input. A convertible tablet computer is similar to a
notebook computer, but the screen will swivel over the
keyboard to provide a writing surface

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 10

 2 Desktop and Portable Computers

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 11

 2 Home, Game,
and Small Business Systems
 A home computer system offers a computer configuration
designed to accommodate consumers who use computers
for personal tasks
 Some of the most cutting-edge computers are designed for
gaming. Not only do these machines feature the fastest
processors, they are also stuffed with memory, includes
state-of-the-art sound capabilities, and feature multiple
graphics processors.
 Computers marketed for small business applications tend to
be middle-of-the-line models pared down to essentials

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 12

 2 Buying Computer
System Components
 Browse through computer magazines and online computer
stores to get a general idea of features and prices
 Decide on a budget and stick to it
 Make a list of the ways you plan to use your computer
 Select a platform
 Decide on a form factor
 Select peripherals, software, and accessories

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 13

 2 Buying Computer
System Components
- Instead of buying a new computer, you might consider upgrading

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 14

 2
SECTION
B
Microprocessors and Memory
 Microprocessor Basics
 Today’s Microprocessors
 Random Access Memory
 Read-only Memory
 EEPROM

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 15

 2 Question
 022200 Some computers are suitable for e-mail, word
processing, and similar low-key operations, whereas other
computers have the power to keep up while you play
complex action games, edit high-resolution videos, and
prepare multi-track sound recordings. Which of the following
computers is the most powerful?
– A. Intel Core 2 Quad processor; 4 GB RAM
– B. AMD Phenom Quad core processor; 3 GB RAM
– C. Intel Core 2 Quad processor; 2 GB RAM
– D. Intel Atom processor; 4 GB RAM

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 16

 2 Microprocessor Basics
 A microprocessor (sometimes referred to as a processor) is
an integrated circuit designed to process instructions
– Usually the most expensive
component of a computer
– Most computer ads specify the
speed of a microprocessor
(microprocessor clock ) in
megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz)
- A cycle is the smallest unit of time in
a microprocessor’s universe

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 17

 2 Microprocessor Basics
 Front side bus (FSB)– refers to
the circuitry that transports
data to and from the processor
 Word size – refers to the
number of bits that a processor
can manipulate at one time

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 18

 2 Microprocessor Basics
 Cache – is a special high speed memory that allows a
microprocessor to access data more rapidly than from
memory located anywhere else on the systems board.
– Level 1 cache (L1) – is built into the processor chip
– Level 2 cache (L2) – is located on a separate chip
 A processor with RISC (reduced instruction set computer)
technology has limited set of instructions, faster than a CISC
processor, requires simple instruction to complete a task
 A CISC (complex instruction set computer) processor
performs increasingly complex instructions, each requiring
several clock cycle. Most processors in today’s personal
computers use CISC technology
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 19
 2 Microprocessor Basics
 Serial processing – execute instructions “serially”,
one instruction at a time.
 Pipelining is a technology that allows a
processor to begin executing an instruction
it completes the previous instruction.
 Parallel processing – multiple instruction are
executed at the same time.
 Multi-core processor – a single processor that
contains more than one processing unit.
 Benchmarks – the results of a series of test to
gauge the overall speed of a microprocessor.
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 20
 2 Today’s Microprocessors

A technique for increasing the speed of a computer component (e.g.

Processor or graphics or memory) is called Overclocking, but it is
very risky as components can overheat and even catch fire.
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 21
 2 Random Access Memory
 RAM (random access memory) is a temporary holding area
for data, application program instructions, and the operating
system

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 22

 2 Random Access Memory
 In RAM, Microscopic capacitors hold the bits that represent
data
 Most RAM is volatile
– Requires electrical power to hold data

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 23

 2 Random Access Memory
 RAM capacity is expressed in megabytes or gigabytes
 Personal computers typically feature between 2 GB and 8
GB of RAM
 If a program exceeds its allocated RAM space, the operating
system uses an area of the hard disk, called virtual
memory, to store parts of the programs or data files until
they are needed.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 24

 2 Random Access Memory
 RAM speed is often expressed in nanoseconds or megahertz
e.g. 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800 MHz or 8ns
RAM
 SDRAM is fast and relatively inexpensive
– Innovations such as DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 have increased
SDRAM’s speed.
 Dual-channel architecture can supply two streams of data over
the bus between RAM and the processor. Most computers
include dual-channel RAM

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 25

 2 Read-Only Memory
 ROM is a type of memory circuitry that holds the computer’s
startup routine
– Permanent and non-volatile
 The ROM BIOS tells the computer how to access the hard
disk, find the operating system, and load it into RAM
 Whereas RAM is temporary and volatile, ROM is permanent
and non-volatile(data remains in place when the computer
power is turned off).

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 26

 2 EEPROM
 Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only
Memory – holds some basic
information about storage,
memory and display
configuration. Replaces
CMOS technology
 More permanent than RAM,
and less permanent than
ROM
 Requires no power to hold
data
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 27
 2
SECTION
C
Storage Devices
 Storage Basics
 Magnetic Disk and Tape Technology
 CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Technology
 Solid State Storage
 Storage Wrap-up

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 28

 2 Question
 022300 Storage devices have varying levels of versatility,
durability, speed, and capacity. For a student who owns a
computer, but sometimes needs to use computers in the
school lab, which storage device is most versatile?
– A. Hard disk drive
– B. CD-R
– C. Solid state drive
– D. USB flash drive

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 29

 2 Storage Basics
 A storage medium is the disk, tape,
CD, DVD or any other substance that
contains data
 A storage device is a mechanical
apparatus records and retrieves data
from a storage medium
– Data gets copied from a storage
device into RAM, where it waits to
be processed
– Processed data is held temporarily
in RAM before it is copied to a
storage medium
 Vertical vs. horizontal storage

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 30

 2 Storage Basics
 Access time is the average time it takes a computer to locate data on the
storage medium and read it. Access time for storage devices such as a
disk drive is in milliseconds.
 Random access is the ability of a device to “jump” directly to the
requested data.
 A tape drive, use slower sequential access by reading through the data
from the beginning of the tape.
 Data transfer rate is the amount of data a storage device can move per
second from the storage device to the computer.
 Storage capacity is directly related to storage density, the amount of data
that can be stored in a given area of a storage medium.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 31

 2 Magnetic Disk and
Tape Technology
 Tapes, Hard disk and floppy use magnetic storage, which
stores data by magnetizing microscopic particles on the disk
or tape surface. A read write head mechanism in the disk
drive can magnetize particles to write data and sense the
particles to read data

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 32

 2 Magnetic Disk and
Tape Technology

Hard disk platters and

read-write heads are
sealed inside the drive
case or cartridge to
screen out dust and
other contaminants.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 33

 2 Magnetic Disk and
Tape Technology
 A hard drive mechanism includes a circuit board called a
hard disk controller positions the disk, locates data, and
interfaces with the components of the system board
– SATA
– Ultra ATA
– EIDE
– SCSI
 Not as durable as many other
storage technologies
– Head crash damages data
on a hard drive
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 34
 2 Magnetic Disk and
Tape Technology
 A floppy disk is a round piece of flexible Mylar plastic
covered with a thin layer of magnetic oxide and sealed
inside a protective casing. Floppy drives has a capacity
of 1.44MB
 Tape storage is too slow for modern computing

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 35

 2 CD, DVD, and Blu-ray
Technology
 Optical storage stores data as microscopic light and dark
spots on the disk surface
– CD, DVD, and Blu-ray storage technologies

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 36

 2 CD, DVD, and Blu-ray
Technology
 CD (compact disc) – capacity of 650 - 700 MB of data.(74 or
80 minutes of recorded music)
 DVD (digital video or digital versatile disk) – initially offered
4.7 GB of data storage. A double layer DVD can store 8.5
GB of data
 Blu-ray high capacity storage technology with 25GB capacity
per layer. The name Blu-ray is derived from the blue violet
coloured laser used to read data from Blu-ray disc, DVD
uses red laser and CD uses a near infarred laser.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 37

 2 CD, DVD, and Blu-ray
Technology
 Today’s DVD drives typically have 22X speeds for a data
transfer rate of 297 Mbps
 Three categories of
optical technologies
– Read-only (ROM)
– Recordable (R)
– Rewritable (RW)

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 38

 2 CD, DVD, and Blu-ray
Technology
 CD-DA
 DVD-Video
 CD-ROM
 DVD-ROM
 CD-R
 DVD+R or DVD-R
 CD-RW
 DVD+RW or DVD-RW
 BD-ROM, BD-R, and BD-RE

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 39

 2 CD, DVD, and Blu-ray
Technology

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 40

 2 Solid State Storage
 Solid state storage (flash memory) technology stores data in
an erasable, rewritable circuitry
 Non-volatile
 Card reader may be required
to read data on solid state
storage
 Solid state storage is removable and
provides fast access to data.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 41

 2 Solid State Storage
 A USB flash drive is a
portable storage device that
plugs directly into a
computer’s system unit
using a built-in connector
 Files stored on a USB flash
drive can be opened,
edited, deleted, and run just
as though those files were
on magnetic or optical
media

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 42

 2 Storage Wrap-up

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 43

 2 Storage Wrap-up

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 44

 2
SECTION
D
Input and Output Devices
 Basic Input Devices
 Display Devices
 Printers
 Installing Peripheral Devices

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 45

 2 Question
 022400 Computer owners usually want to add various
peripheral devices to their computers. Suppose you have a
notebook computer and you want to add an external hard
drive, but you’ve run out of USB ports. What can you do?
– A. Use the HDMI port instead.
– B. Plug directly into the expansion bus.
– C. Swap in a USB hub for one of the currently connected
peripherals.
– D. Use an Ethernet-to-USB converter.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 46

 2 Basic Input Devices
 Keyboard
 Pointing device
– Mice
– Pointing stick
– Trackpad
– Trackball
– Joystick
 Touch
screen

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 47

 2 Display Devices
 An LCD manipulates light
within a layer of liquid
crystal cells
 OLED screens use organic
light emitting diodes and
use less power

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 48

 2 Display Devices
Feature of a monitor
 Screen size measured in inches diagonally
 Dot pitch measure of image clarity
 Viewing angle width – how far to the side you can still clearly see
the screen image.
 Response rate – the time it takes for one pixel to change from
black to white then black to black.
 Color depth – the no. of color the monitor can display
 Resolution – no of vertical & horizontal
pixel that a device displays.
– VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA,
UXGA, WUXGA, and WQXGA

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 49

 2 Display Devices

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 50

 2 Display Devices
 Graphics circuitry generates the signals for displaying an image
on the screen, supplied on a small circuit board called a
graphics card
– One type of graphics circuitry, referred to as integrated
graphics, is built on a computer’s system board.
– Graphics processing unit(GPU) – stores
screen images as they are
processed but before they are
displayed.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 51

 2 Printers
 An ink-jet printer has a nozzle-like print head that sprays ink
onto paper
 A laser printer works like a photocopier
 Are inexpensive and produce both color and black-and-white
printouts

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 52

 2 Printers
 A Laser printer, uses the same technology as a photocopier
to paint dots of light on a light-sensitive drum.
 Electrostatically charged ink is applied to the drum and then
transferred to paper.
 Laser printers are a popular technology when high-volume
output or good-quality printouts are required.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 53

 2 Printers
 Dot matrix printers produce characters and graphics by
using a grid of fine wires
– The wires strike a ribbon and the paper

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 54

 2 Printers
 Printer features
– Resolution: quality and sharpness of printed image.
– Print speed: pages per minute (ppm)
– Duty cycle: how many pages a printer can chunk out in a month
– Operating costs: initial cost & toner cost
– Duplex Capability: can a printer print on both sides of the paper
– Memory
– Networking

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 55

 2 Installing Peripheral Devices
 The data bus moves data between RAM and the microprocessor
 The segment of the data bus to which peripheral devices connect is
called the expansion bus
 An expansion slot is a long, narrow socket on the system board into
which you can plug an expansion card
 Expansion cards are small circuit boards that give the computer
additional capabilities
– Expansion slot

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 56

 2 Installing Peripheral Devices
An expansion card simply
slides into an expansion
slot. Before you install an
expansion card, make sure
you unplug the computer
and ground yourself—
that’s technical jargon
for releasing static
electricity by using a
special grounding
wristband or by touching
both hands to a metal
object.
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 57
 2 Installing Peripheral Devices
 An expansion port passes data in and
out of a computer or peripheral
device

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 58

 2 Installing Peripheral Devices
 Most peripherals connect to an external USB port
 You can easily add USB ports to your computer by using a
USB hub

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 59

 2 Installing Peripheral Devices
 Other kinds of ports

 Plug and Play (PnP) automatically configures your computer

to accommodate new peripheral devices you add

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 60

 2
SECTION
E
Hardware Security
 Anti-theft Devices
 Surge Protection and Battery Backup
 Basic Maintenance
 Troubleshooting and Repair

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 61

 2 Question
 022500 When you treat your computer carefully and perform
basic maintenance, you can avoid many hardware problems,
However, if you encounter the black screen of death, what
has gone wrong?
– A. The operating system has encountered an error from
which it cannot recover.
– B. Your computer has contracted a virus.
– C. Your hard disk is full.
– D. Your display device has malfunctioned.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 62

 2 Anti-Theft Devices

Kensington Security Slot

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 63
 2 Surge Protection
and Battery Backup
 A power surge is a sudden increase or spike in electrical
energy, affecting the current that flows to electrical outlets
 A surge strip is a device that contains electrical outlets
protected by circuitry that blocks surges
 A UPS is a device that not only provides surge protection,
but also furnishes your computer with battery backup power
during a power outage

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 64

 2 Surge Protection
and Battery Backup

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 65

 2 Basic Maintenance
 Computer component failures can be caused by
manufacturing defects and other circumstances beyond your
control
 Keep the keyboard clean
 Clean your computer screen on a regular basis
 Keep the area clean around your computer
 Make sure fans are free of dust

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 66

 2 Basic Maintenance
Carefully use a cotton
swab and a can of
compressed air or a
vacuum cleaner to
remove dust and debris
from your keyboard.
Sticky liquids are
difficult to remove. That
can of pop? Better to
keep it away from your
keyboard.

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 67

 2 Troubleshooting and Repair
 There are several telltale signs that your computer is in
trouble
– Failure to power up
– Loud beep
– Blank screens and/or error messages
– Black screen of death
 Windows Help and Support
 Safe Mode

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 68

 2 Troubleshooting and Repair

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 69

 2 What Do You Think?
 023100 Have you ever thrown away an old
computer or other electronic device?
– A. Yes B. No C. Not sure
 203200 Are you aware of any options for recycling
electronic equipment in your local area?
– A. Yes B. No C. Not sure
 023300 Would it be fair for consumers to pay a
recycling tax on any electronic equipment that they
purchase?
– A. Yes B. No C. Not sure

Chapter 2: Computer Hardware 70

Chapter 2 Complete
Computer Hardware