Unit 01

Unit 01

1. 1.1 Hardware

   • inputs: peripherals e.g. Mouse, Keyboard, microphone, barcode readers, biometrics, digital cameras, game pads/joy sticks, light pens, magnetic strip reader, scanners, stylus, webcam, graphics tablet. All of these send data to the computer
     • pro's and cons of input devices: Sensors, data is a physical measurement of a quantified amount of data converted through ADC (analog to digital convertor), for instance can allow work to be virtualised, making adjustments to be made easier than on paper. Continuous readings are taken meaning that it is more accurate.
       • Cons: They can be faulty if the sensors are damaged (similar to parking sensors) they must be clean. As it can cause error readings and can misinform the user.
     • Optical character recognition: Takes scanned text and converts it into a computer readable form e.g. passports, makes it more efficient and quicker than manual logging of the data. However may not work with face covering
     • Optical mark readers: Can read marks written in pencil and pen. Used in questionnaires to differentiate answers (tick box) Pro's: easier to input data. Cons: needs carefully designed forms that the computer can read
   • outputs: speakers, printers, monitor, projectors, plotters, headset. Including audio, video, hard copy (tangible prints) on screen. These output actions made on the computer (receives data from the computer)
     • pro's and cons of output devices: They can create an IRL tangible copy of a virtual piece of data, improves mobility. (printing)
       • Cons: They can be unreliable and can cause errors to be made in the printing process. They also require ink cartridges. They require laser for documents and ink for high quality images. Laser printers are more expensive than the common home inkjet, however inkjets require maintained cartridges.
       • ink jet printers are cheaper to buy, Laser printers require powder and are more expensive but more efficient for companies and mono prints, Plotters are used for larger scale designs, dot matrix only prints mono.
     • LED displays (light emitting diode), LCD (liquid crystal diode), CRT (cathode ray tube)
   • Hardware benefits: usually can work together, can be repaired, plug and play (less installation), same connectors regardless of manufacturer, compare manufactures equipment performance, mended and serviced (warranty), easy to find alternative equipment, lots of variety in equipment choice
     • Hardware Cons: Some devices require a flat surface to operate, some hardware can be costly to run, voice recognition can struggle in noisy outdoor environments, Mac and PC (desktop) are not compatible, integrated devices are not always usable if one particular one is not operating correctly

2. 1.2 Computer components

3. 1.3 Types of computer systems

4. 1.4 Connectivity

5. 1.5 Communication hardware