1.2 COMPUTER HARDWARE

1.2 COMPUTER HARDWARE

1. The System Unit

   • Drive bay(s)
   • Power Supply
   • Sound Card
   • Video Card
   • Processor
   • Memory

2. Hard Drives

   • to store data, instructions and information
   • Characteristics
     • Tracks
     • Sectors
     • Platters
     • Form Factor
     • Read/write head
     • Revolutions per minute
   • Solid State Drive (SSD)
     • -a flash memory storage device that contains its own processor to manage its storage
     • Advantages
       • Faster access times
       • Less Power Consumption
       • More Durable
       • Faster transfer rates
       • Less heat generation

3. Communication Devices

   • Ports
   • Connectors

4. Input Devices

   • Definition
     • any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions
   • Types of Input
     • Data
       • unprocessed text, numbers, images, audio and video
     • Instructions
       • Programs
       • Commands
       • User responses
   • Biometric Input
   • Keyboards
   • Pointing Devices
   • Touch screens

5. Output Devices

   • Definition
     • any hardware component that can convey information to user
   • Examples
     • Displays
       • Monitor
     • Printers
     • Speaker
     • HEadphones
     • Data Projector