1.1 - Computer hardware

1.1 - Computer hardware

1. Input devices - enable the user to communicate with the compute

   • Keyboard
   • Mouse
   • Scanner
   • Sensors
   • Microphone
   • Graphics tablet

2. Output devices - allow the computer to communicate with the user

   • on screen
   • audio
   • video
   • printers
   • headphones
   • speakers
   • projectors

3. types of monitors

   • touchscreen
     • benefits: increased desk space, easier to use, increased speed compared to keyboard or mouse to move and select objects, easier to clean
     • limitations: have to sit closer to screen, may be difficult to touch small objects on the screen, displays get dirty because of he constant touching with fingers
   • LED
     • benefits: uses less power than CRT or LCD monitors (more environmentally friendly), displayed images have higher contrast, less negative impact on the environment when disposed, thin design, does not produce a lot heat, durable
     • limitations: more expensive
   • LCD
     • benefits: compact size, doesn't consume as much electricity as a CRT monitor, can run off batteries (ideal for laptops), transmitted images are not geometrically distorted and have little flicker
     • limitations: high cost, image quality not consistent if viewed from different angles, resolution of monitor is not always consistent
   • CRT
     • limitations: heavy, bulky, costly to replace

4. communication device

   • router
     • allows multiple computers to join the same network (this can be through the ethernet ports or wirelessly)
   • hybrid
     • a modem and router combined into a single device; usually offered by ISPs to make the set-up process easier
   • modem
     • connects to the internet service provider (ISP)
   • network interface card (NIC)
     • an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a network using an ethernet cable