Hardware

Hardware

1. Computer Types

   • Laptops
     • Portable computer
     • Battery powered
     • Designed to be used 'on the go'
     • Can play CDs/DVDs, has a webcam and sometimes a hard drive
   • Mainframe Computers
     • Large, expensive
     • Support many users at the same time
     • Big organisations use mainframes to run their most important tasks
   • PDA
     • Personal Digital Components
     • AKA Palm Tops
     • A hand held copmputer that can be used as
       • a PC
       • for web browsing
       • as a mobile phone
       • as a portable media player
     • can be controlled through touchscreens
   • MobilePhones
     • Most commonly used computers in the world
     • Have a processor and a memory and can run programmes
     • Cannot carry out the same tasks as a desktop computer
     • WAP=Wireless Access Protocol
       • Allows mobile phones to access the internet

2. A physical device

3. Input Devices

   • Allow users to give instructions and input data into the device
   • Joystick - Used for gaming and controlling devices
     • Remote Control
   • Microphone - Used to input audio data
   • Touch sensitive jog dial - Used for actions like skipping a song
   • Scanner - digitises printed documents
   • Graphics Tablet - Used to input drawings
   • Touch Screen - Input Device controlled by finger or stylus
   • Webcam - Used to input visual data
   • Mouse - pointing and inputting device
   • Keyboard - used to enter text

4. Output Devices

   • Allow the user to see or hear information after it has been processed
   • Speakers - Allow you to hear audio output
   • Docking Station - amplifies sound out of small devices
   • Headphones - Allow one person to hear audio output
   • Printer - allow you to produce a 'hard copy'
   • Headset - Combines microphone and headphones to input and output audio data
   • Screen - Inbuilt display screens or monitors