COMPUTER HARDWARE
HARDWARE represents the physical and tangible
parts/components of a computer. i.e. the
components that can be seen and touched.
PERIPHERAL. This is a device attached to a host
computer but not part of it whose primary
functionality is to expand the host’s capabilities.
A peripheral is not part of the system's core
architecture
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER HARDWARE
• INPUT HARDWARE
• OUT PUT HARDWARE
• STORAGE HARDWARE
• PROCESSING HARDWARE
• NETWORKING HARDWARE
An illustration of computer hardware
components
• Computer hardwares are commonly classified
according to the tasks they perform.
• These tasks include data input, data processing,
soring data, and outputting data and
communicating
• When a computer receives data from a keyboard
(input), the data goes through a processing stage
done by the CPU(processing device) before it is
output by the output device (monitor, speakers)
Input hardware
• these are devices that allow a user to enter
data, commands or instructions into the
computer
Examples of input devices
• Keyboard • Touch pad
• Mouse • Image scanner
• Stylus pen and digitizing • Digital camera
tablet • Gaming wheels
• Game pad • Microphone
• Finger print scanner • Iris recognition systems
Keyboard
• This is a device that allows users to enter data
inform of text. I.e.. Letters, numbers, symbols
into the computer
• There keyboard inputs data inform of text and
each single text i.e. letter, number and symbol
is called a character
Keyboard lay out
• QWERTY
• ABCDE
• GKOS
• AZERTY
• QWERTZ
TYPES OF KEY BOARDS
• Standard keyboard/ universal keyboard
• Laptop keyboard
• Gaming keyboard
• Thumb sized keyboard
• Virtual keyboard
• Foldable keyboard
Parts of a key board
• Functional keys
• Alpha-numeric/ type writer keys
• Numerical keys
• Arrow keys/ cursor control keys
• Special keys
• Indicator lights
Parts of a key board
• Function keys
These run from f1-f12 located at the upper part
of the keyboard. They perform specific functions
depending on the application program i.e. f1 is
for help in most programs
• Alphanumeric/ type writer keys
These are located below the function keys and
they look like the old type writers. The buttons
are mostly used for typing
Parts of a key board
• Numeric keypad
This part is similar to the calculator and they are
used in mathematical operations. This part
works ounce the numlock key or number key is
on. It is located at right extreme end of the
keyboard
Parts of a key board
• Arrow keys/ cursor control keys
A cursor is a blinking bar on the screen which
indicates where the text should be. These keys
are also called navigation keys. They include;
HOME, END, PAGE DOWN, PAGE UP, INSERT, &
ARROW KEYS
• Special keys.
These include alternate, shift, caps lock, tab key,
escape, windows key, control,
Functions of each special key
• Enter key. It is used to accept a command or
execute a command. It is also used to go to
another line when typing.
Also when you select a program, file, folder, and
press the enter key, it automatically opens
•Back space key. It is used to erase characters to
the left side of the cursor. It also erases
highlighted text or graphics
Functions of each special key
•Caps lock key. It is used to turn capital letters into
small letters and small letters into capital letters when
typing. When the caps lock is pressed the caps lock
light indicator lights to inform you that that your in the
uppercase and so the vise-versa
•Shift key. It is used to activate symbols/ characters on
top of the button in the type writer area when pressed
together with the button
It also turns letters into capital or small when pressed
together with the letter key
Parts of a key board
• Indicator keys
These show or light when the caps lock,
numlock, Wi-Fi or scroll lock is on. They are
always located at the upper part of the keyboard