Hardware

IES Carmen Martín Gaite

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Carolina Benito Muñoz y Sara García Prendes 4ºC

INDEX

1. Definition 3

2. Classification 3

2.1. Devices: 3

2.1.1. Internal 3

2.1.2. External 5

2.1.3. Input 6

2.1.4. Output 8

2.1.5. Input/Output 10

3. Ports 12

4. Bibliography 14

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Hardware Definition:

A computer system consists of two major elements: hardware and software. Computer hardware (HW) is the collection of all the parts you can physically touch and related devices. Computer software, on the other hand, is not something you can touch. Software is a set of instructions for a computer to perform specific operations. . A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system.

Hardware Classification:

-Devices:

In general, a device is a machine designed for a purpose, so a computer can be considered a device.

In the context of computer technology, a device is a unit of hardware. When the term is used generally (as in computer devices ), it can include keyboards, mouses, display monitors, hard disk drives, CD-ROM players, printers, audio speakers and microphones, and other hardware units.They are classified in:

-Internal hardware devices

The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as componentsIt includes devices inside the computer, such as motherboards, processor, hard disk drive (HDD), CPU and RAM.

Examples:

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The Motherboard:

The motherboard is the body or mainframe of the computer, through which all other components interface. It is the central circuit board making up a complex electronic system. A motherboard provides the electrical connections by which the other components of the system communicate.

Central Processing Unit (CPU):

The Central Processing Unit (CPU; sometimes just called processor) is a machine that can execute computer programs. It is sometimes referred to as the brain of the computer

RAM:

Random access memory (RAM) is fast-access memory that is cleared when the computer is power-down. RAM attaches directly to the motherboard, and is used to store programs that are currently running. RAM is a set of integrated circuits that allow the stored data to be accessed in any order (why it is called random). There are many different types of RAM. Distinctions between these different types include: writable vs. read-only, static vs. dynamic, volatile vs. non-volatile, etc.

Hard Disk Drive:

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The Hard Disk drive is a type of permanent computer data storage. Data is retrieved by using a series of rapidly spinning magnetic disks that store the data. The spindle physically writes the data to the magnetic disk and is a very delicate piece of hardware that must be handled carefully. Unlike RAM, hard drives retain data even if the machine is powered off or cut off unexpectedly because of a power cut.  Data can be lost if the hard drive breaks or becomes corrupt.   

CD-ROM drive:

A CD Rom drive is a drive that reads compact discs only, but now expands to DVDs as well. These use laser beams to read the data on the disc. Drives like this one connect to the motherboard via SATA cables usually on internal drives, external drives connect via USB. The laser inside can move around to scan the CD from any angle. Constant reading by laser can cause scratches to the disc and the laser won’t read it properly as the scratches affect this process.

-External hardware devices

External hardware devices are usually called peripheralsIt includes devices outside the computer, such as monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners

Examples:

Monitors:

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The monitor is the display for a PC. This is where anything you can see is displayed. Monitors vary in size and use LCD screens for better quality. They connect to your PC through a DVI or HDMI cable attached to the graphics card. Newer monitors use OLED rather than LCD because they produce more high quality visuals, but do cost more than LCD screens.

Keyboards:

The keyboard is the main way of typing on a PC. When typed, each key produces a letter on the screen. Keyboards vary depending on what they are used for, some are basic and used for normal activity or specialist keyboards that control computer functions are also used in specialist industries. Keyboards connect to a PC wirelessly or use USB cables.

Mouse:

The mouse is the primary way of navigating a computer. The mouse used to have a ball that could move in any direction. Now, infra red lasers have replaced the ball and are more efficient than the ball mice. Currently, touch controlled mice with no physical buttons are being tested but are not as good as the laser or ball mice currently used on many PCs. 

Printer:

The printer is computer hardware that will print anything written or created on a PC onto paper, whether it be text or photos. Printers on the market today use either inkjet (liquid ink) or laser (toner) technology. They also have other functions besides printing, this includes copying, faxing and scanning making it a useful piece of hardware.   

Peripherals:

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Alternatively referred to as an auxiliary device, a peripheral is hardware input device or output device that gives a computer additional functionality. Peripheral devices, however, are not essential for the computer to perform it's basic tasks; they can' be though of as an enhancement to the user's experience. The following section contains examples of computer peripherals.

-Input devices

An input device for a computer allows you to enter information. The most fundamental pieces of information are keystrokes on a keyboard and clicks with a mouse. These two input devices are essential for you to interact with your computer. Many other input devices exist for entering other types of information, such as images, audio and video. Input devices represent one type of computer peripheral - the other two types are output devices and storage devices.

Examples:

·Keyboards:

A keyboard is the most fundamental input device for any computer system. In the early days of computing, it was typically the only input device. A keyboard contains keys for letters and numbers as well as for specialized tasks, such as Enter, Delete, etc. Computer keyboard are used in

navigation, execution of processes, programming and several other pruposes. There are different types of keyboards, such as gaming keyboards, laptop keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, thumbsize keyboards, numeric keyboards and others.

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There are also other types of computer keyboards, such as foldable keyboards, laser/infrared keyboards and chorded keyboards. Keyboards also connect with different ports such as PS/2, USB and others.

·Mouse:

The mouse was developed as a pointing device. Typically, a mouse resides on a flat surface, and by moving the mouse, you can move the pointer on the screen. One or more buttons on the mouse allow you to enter instructions by clicking. Most models also include a wheel for scrolling. Desktop computers have a separate keyboard and mouse, but for laptops, these are integrated into a computer system itself. In laptops, the mouse is actually substituted with a touchpad or trackpad.

·Scanner:

Another common input device is an image scanner. A typical desktop or flatbed scanner is a device that optically scans printed images and paper documents and converts them into digital images. In most scanners, you place the document on a glass plate and place an opaque cover over it. A bright light moves across the image, and the reflection is captured by a sensor, which converts the document to a digital image.

·Others:

Audio and video can be recorded using a microphone and video camera, respectively. Due to the popularity of video conferencing using services like Skype, these are now typically integrated in most laptops and monitor displays for desktops; however, you can also connect an external webcam, which can record both

-Output devices

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An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction.

Examples:

·3Dprinter

Created by Chuck Hull in 1984, the 3D printer is a device that creates a physical object from a digital model by layering materials such as metal alloys, polymers, plastics, or even food ingredients. 3D printers are used in many disciplines--aerospace engineering, dentistry, archaeology, biotechnology, and information systems are a few examples of industries that utilize them. As an example, a 3D printer might be used in the

field of archaeology to physically reconstruct ancient artifacts that have been damaged over time.

·Headphones:

Sometimes referred to as earphones, headphonesare a hardware output device that either plug into your computer line out or your speakers to privately listen to audio without disturbing others.

·Monitors:

The first computer monitor was part of the Xerox Alto computer system, which was released on March 1, 1973.

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Alternatively referred to as a video display terminal (VDT) and video display unit (VDU), a monitor is an output device that displays video images and text. A monitor is made up of circuitry, a screen, a power supply, buttons to adjust screen settings, and casing that holds all of these components. A monitor is only used to display (output) information from a computer and provides no source of input. For this reason, a computer monitor is considered an output device.Computer monitors have at least one of the following types of monitor connectors to connect to a computer.

DVI: Short for Digital Visual Interface, DVI is a video display interface.HDMI: Short for High Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI is a connector and cable capable of transmitting high-quality and high-bandwidth streams of audio and video between devices.VGA: Short for Video Graphics Array, VGA is a popular display standard developed by IBM and introduced in 1987.

·Printer:

A printer is an external hardware output device that takes the electronic data stored on a computer or other device and generates a hard copy of it. There are a few different ways a printer can connect to and communicate with a computer (referred to as interfaces). Today, the most common connection types are by USB

cable or via Wi-Fi. 

·Speakers:11

A computer speaker is a hardware device that connects to a computer to generate sound. The signal used to produce the sound that comes from a computer speaker is created by the computer's sound card. When the speaker receives electrical input from a device, it sends the current through the causing it to move back and forth. This motion then vibrates the outer cone, generating sound waves picked up by our ears.External speakers are connected to a computer or other device to give the sound more amplification (make it louder), add more bass with a subwoofer, or with enough speakers create surround sound. If you have a laptop, smartphone, or another device with built-in speakers you do not need external speakers unless you need louder sounds, more bass, or surround sound.

-Input/output devices

Alternatively referred to as an IO device, an input/output deviceis any hardware used by a human operator or other systems to communicate with a computer. As the name suggests, input/output devices are capable of sending data (output) to a computer and receiving data from a computer (input).

Examples:

·Modems:

The first Modem, known as the Data phone, was released by AT&T in 1960. It later became more common for home users when Dennis Hayes and Dale Heatherington released the 80-103A Modem in 1977.

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A Modem is a hardware device that allows a computer to send and receive information over telephone lines by converting digital data into an analog signal used on phone lines. Modems are referred to as an asynchronous device, meaning that the device transmits data in an intermittent stream of small packets. Once received, the receiving system then takes the data in the packets and reassembles it into a form the computer can use.A Modem is considered an input and output device because it sends data (upload / output) and receives data (download / input).

·Touchscreen:

A touchscreen is a display device that allows the user to interact with a computer by using their finger. They can be quite useful as an alternative to a mouse or keyboard for navigating a graphical user interface (GUI). Touchscreens are used on a variety of devices such as computer and laptop monitors, smartphones, tablets, cash registers, and information kiosks.The idea of a touchscreen was first described and published by E.A. Johnson in 1965. In the early 1970s, the first touchscreen was developed by Frank Beck and Bent Stumpe, engineers at CERN. The physical product was first created and utilized in 1973. The first resistive touchscreen was developed by George Samuel Hurst in 1975 but wasn't produced and used until 1982.

·USB Flash Drive:

Alternatively referred to as a USB flash drive, data stick, pen drive, memory unit, key chain drive and thumb drive, a jump drive is a portable storage device. It is often the size of a human thumb (hence the name), and it connects to a computer via a USB port. Flash drives are an

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easy way to store and transfer information. They are available in sizes ranging from 2 GB to 1 TB. Unlike a standard hard drive, the flash drive has no movable parts; it

contains only an integrated circuit memory chip that is used to store data. Flash drives usually have plastic or aluminum casings surrounding the memory chip and a

USB connector for use with most modern computers. A flash drive can be utilized like any drive on your computer. Start by inserting the flash drive into a front or back USB port or a USB hub. Once connected, in Windows open My Computer or File Explorer and you should see the drive labeled as "Removable Disk," "Flash drive," or as the manufacturer's name. Once the appropriate drive letter for your device has been determined, you can copy any file you want, and then paste it onto the flash drive. You can also drag-and-drop files onto the flash drive. Before the popularity of flash drives, most people used recordable CDs and DVDs to store and backup data.

Computer Ports

A Computer Port is an interface or a point of connection between the computer and its peripheral devices. Some of the common peripherals are mouse, keyboard, monitor or display unit, printer, speaker, flash drive etc.The main function of a computer port is to act as a point of attachment, where the cable from the peripheral can be plugged in and allows data to

flow from and to the device.There are many different types of computer ports, such as:

Audio Ports14

Audio ports are used to connect speakers or other audio output devices with the computer. The audio signals can be either analogue or digital and depending on that the port and its corresponding connector differ.

HDMIHDMI is an abbreviation of High Definition Media Interface. HDMI is a digital interface to connect High Definition and Ultra High Definition devices like Computer monitors, HDTVs, Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, High Definition Cameras etc.HDMI can be used to carry uncompressed video and compressed or uncompressed audio signals.

USBUniversal Serial Bus (USB) replaced serial ports, parallel ports, PS/2 connectors, game ports and power chargers for portable devices.USB port can be used to transfer data, act as an interface for peripherals and even act as power supply for devices connected to it. There are three kinds of USB ports: Type A, Type B or mini USB and Micro USB.

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