Syllabus Focus: Unit 1 Module 2 Content 3
Specific Objective 3: Describe the purpose and functions of hardware components.
Content: Purpose, functions and types of hardware including input, output, storage, processor and
peripheral devices; definitions and examples; interaction between hardware components.
For additional reading, you can view the following link online: [Link]
Input device
An input device is any hardware device that sends
data to the computer, without any input devices, a computer would
only be a display device and not allow users to interact with it, much
like a TV. In the picture to the right, is a Logitech trackball mouse and
an example of an input device. Below is a complete listing of all the
different computer input devices that can be used on a computer.
Types of input devices
Audio conversion device
Barcode reader
Biometrics (e.g. fingerprint scanner)
Business Card Reader
Digital camera and Digital Camcorder
Finger (with touchscreen)
Gamepad, Joystick, Paddle, Steering wheel, and Microsoft Kinect
Graphics tablet
Keyboard
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Light gun and light pen scanner
Magnetic-stripe reader
Medical imaging devices (e.g., X-Ray, CAT Scan, and Ultrasound
images)
Microphone (using speech recognition or biometric verification)
MIDI keyboard
MICR
Mouse, touchpad, or other pointing device
Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
Punch card reader
Remote
Scanner
Sonar imaging devices
Touch screen
Video capture device
VR helmet and gloves
Webcam
Tip: Keep in mind that drives such as a CD-ROM, DVD, and
a Floppy diskette drive may be capable of sending the computer
information, but they are not input devices. These devices are
considered storage devices.
Source: [Link] retrieved: January 23, 2013
CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module2 Content 3 2
Output device
Any peripheral that receives or displays
output from a computer. In the picture to the right, is an inkjet printer
and a good example of an output device that can make a hard
copy of anything on a computer. Below is a listing of all the different
computer output devices found on a computer.
Types of output devices
Braille embosser
Braille reader
Flat panel
GPS
Headphones
Monitor
Plotter
Printer
Projector
Sound card
Speakers
Speech-generating device (SGD)
TV
Video card
Tip: Keep in mind that drives such as a CD-ROM, DVD, and a Floppy diskette
drive may be capable of sending the computer information, but they
are not output devices. These devices are considered storage devices.
CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module2 Content 3 3
Source: [Link] retrieved: January 23, 2013
Memory
More commonly known as RAM, memory is a location where
information is stored that is currently being utilized by the operating
system, software program, hardware device, or the user.
It's very common for new computer users to be confused what the
different types of computer memory. For example, a computer hard
drive could be considered memory, however, is more appropriately
referred to asstorage and not memory. When a program such as your
Internet browser is open it is loaded from your hard drive and placed
into memory, which allows that program to communicate with the
processor at higher speeds since memory is a lot faster than a hard
drive. Anything you save to your computer such as a picture or video
is sent to your hard drive for storage.
There are two memory types: volatile and non-volatile memory.
Volatile memory is memory that loses its contents when the computer
or hardware device loses power. Computer RAM is a good example of
a volatile memory. Non-volatile memory, sometimes abbreviated as
NVRAM, is memory that keeps its contents even if the power is
lost. CMOS is a good example of a non-volatile memory. Below is an
example picture of computermemory module, a 512MB DIMM.
Determining how much RAM is installed and available.
Memory buying tips
Computer memory help and support.
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Source: [Link] retrieved: January 23, 2013
Storage device
Alternatively referred to as storage, storage
media, or storage medium, a storage device is a hardware device
capable of holding information. There are two storage devices used in
computers; a primary storage device such as computer RAM and
asecondary storage device such as a computer hard drive. The
secondary storage could be a removable, internal, or external storage.
In the picture to the right, is an example of a Drobo,
an external secondary storage device.
Without a storage device, you and your computer would not be able to
save any settings or information and would be considered a dumb
terminal. Below, are some additional examples of storage devices that
are used with computers.
Floppy diskette
CD-ROM disc
CD-R and CD-RW disc
Cloud storage
DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc
Jump drive and USB flash drive
Hard drive
LS-120
Tape cassette
Zip diskette
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When saving anything on the computer, you will be asked for
the storage location, which is where you want to save the
information. By default most of the information you save will be saved
to your computer hard drive, however, if you want to move the
information to another computer you would want to save it to a
removable storage device such as a Jump drive.
Tip: Keep in mind that although these drives do send and
receive information, they are not considered an input or output
device.
Determining available hard drive space.
How much is 1 byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, etc.?
Source: [Link] retrieved: January 23, 2013
Peripheral
Alternatively referred to as an auxiliary device, a peripheral is a
hardware device that allows a computer to perform an additional
function, but is not something the computer needs in order to work.
Below are some good examples of computer peripherals.
Keyboard
Mouse
Printer
Plotter
Scanner
Sound card
Projector
Tape drive
Unlike the computer a peripheral is incapable of operating by itself
and relies on the computer to function properly.
Source: [Link] retrieved: January 23, 2013
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CPU or PROCESSOR
Alternatively referred to as a processor or microprocessor,
the CPU was first developed by Intel in 1974 and is short for Central
Processing Unit. The computer CPU is responsible for handling
all instructions it receives from hardware components
and software programs running on the computer. Below is a graphic
example of what the original Intel Pentium processor looks like.
Today, there are several different manufactures of computer
processors. However, Intel and AMD are the leaders in the PC market.
Computer CPU help and support.
Additional information with installing a computer processor and
other hardware.
Many new computer users may improperly call their computer and
even sometimes their monitor a CPU. When referring to your
computer or monitor it is proper to refer to them as either computer
or monitor and not CPU.
Source: [Link] retrieved: January 23, 2013
CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module2 Content 3 7
