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Hardware recommendationsModule 1.3

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Hardware recommendationsModule 1.3

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ContentBuying a computer

◦Buying a computer – system unit

◦Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

The value of ICT◦Efficiency, productivity and accuracy

◦Accessibility New technologyTest and improve your

knowledge

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BUYING A COMPUTER

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Some general considerations when buying computers:Need to be mobile? Hardware specifications of the software you

want to use Current standard specifications for an

entry‑level and a more advanced computer in the category you are considering

A legal operating system provided?

Always buy the best product that your budget will allow -

RAM installed, the size of storage and type of processor.

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Buying a computer – system unit

CPU or processor

Responsible for running programs and processing data

Multiple cores (e.g. quad-core) – like having more than one processor on the chip

‘Speed’ – measured in Gigahertz (GHz)

Brand name (AMD or Intel) and model (such as Intel i7) can also be used to identify the processor in an advert

Standard entry‑level processor should be sufficient for personal users, SOHO users and mobile users

Power users – the best CPU they can afford

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Buying a computer – system unit

Memory (RAM)

Temporary storage area for data and programs that are

being processed

If you use more than 4 GB of RAM, you will need to make sure that you are using a 64‑bit version of an operating system, otherwise you won’t be able to access the entire amount of RAM you have.

RAM can also be identified by terms such as DIMMS, DDR3 or DDR‑4 RAM.

For any user the more memory that you have installed, the better.

Power users working with programs such as those used for video editing will definitely require more memory.

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Buying a computer – system unit

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

The main, permanent storage area for all your data and

software.

Besides the capacity, hard drives can be identified in adverts by terms such as SATA and the speed at it which rotates, measured in RPM.

A special computer, such a file server in a network, will have a number of large hard drives, because it has to store all the users’ files.

Solid State Drives (SSDs) use technology that is similar to flash memory.

Most users will almost never fill the default hard drive size PC.Power users may need to install a series of hard drives that act as one unit, which is sometimes referred to as RAID technology.

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Buying a computer – system unit

DVD Drive An optical drive that can play, read and write CDs and DVDs

DVD drives – less important than they were in the past. Flash drives, external hard drives and even the Internet are used to transfer and back up information.

Often listed as a multi‑drives – they read and write (or burn) DVDs and CDs.

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Buying a computer – system unit

Port Used to connect external devices to the computer

Most devices can connect to a USB port.

Most computers will have a network port to connect to a cabled network.Modern computers might also have a FireWire or Thunderbolt port for high speed data and video connections.While WiFi is not technically a port, many computers now have built‑in support for WiFi.

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Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

Mouse Keyboard

The most commonly used types of input devices

Ergonomically designed keyboards and mice, reduce the impact of RSI.

Wireless or cabled equipment.

Mobile users with portable computer – touch pad instead of a mouse.

A power user will probably have expensive technology related to their particular field of interest.

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Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

Monitor/screen

The most common output device for soft copy output

The popularity of tablets and smartphones has led to a lot more applications (even Windows 8) which are designed to work well with touch screens.

For most users an entry-level monitor will do just fine.

Power users such as gamers, video editors, photographers and architects often need larger displays, or they might even connect multiple monitors.

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Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

PrinterUsed to produce hard copy output – laser, ink-jet and dot-matrix printers

Type of printer – factors such as running costs, speed, the print quality (dpi) and wireless connection

A SOHO or even a personal user – consider a multi-function printer

Mobile user may want a mobile printer that works with batteries

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Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

External (portable) storage

Storage devices that connect to the computer

For most personal users a flash disk is the quickest and simplest way to transfer data and even make some measure of backup.

All users can use external hard drives as storage for music and videos and to back up.

All users find cloud storage useful.

SOHO and power users usually have a need for a large external storage device.

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Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

ScannerImage scanners: capture an image of whatever is placed in the scanner Barcode scanners: read barcodes

Personal users will seldom need a scanner – they can just as easily photograph the image as scan it.

SOHO or power user who needs to scan documents and convert them into editable text needs a good quality scanner and an OCR program.

SOHO or power user who runs a business that deals with images or photos – probably a good idea to get a good quality scanner.

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Buying a computer – peripherals or devices that connect to the computer

Disabled user

Visually impaired / Blind

• Braille keyboard and Braille ‘display’

• Magnification devices

• Large-key keyboards

• Braille printers

Hearing impaired / Deaf

• Vibration devices

Motor control (paralysed / poor motor control / arthritic / etc.)

• Eye tracking devices

• Head movement devices

• Large key (outsized) keyboards

• Large trackballs • Joysticks• Foot pedal

control devices• Sip and puff

devices

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THE VALUE OF ICT

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Efficiency, productivity and accuracyEfficiency: Getting things done with

less cost and effort.Productivity: What you get done in a

specific amount of time for a specific cost (we are focused on increasing productivity, which means getting more stuff done in the same amount of time and for the same cost).

Accuracy: Ensuring that there are no errors in input or output.

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Efficiency, productivity and accuracy – choice of hardware

Typing in text or data the whole day (as done by a typist, writer or data capturer)

Good quality ergonomic keyboard

Video editing

Largest, fastest possible HDD

Min 8 GB RAM, if possible more

TWO monitors

Converting existing documents to digital format

Automatic sheet feeding scanner

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Efficiency, productivity and accuracy – choice of hardware

Competitive gaming

Gaming mouse

Digital artist

Pressure sensitive drawing tablet

Selling products at a till and stocktaking

Barcode scanner

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AccessibilityICT makes knowledge and

resources accessible to all kinds of people all over the world.

Remote surgery

Data/information access using the Internet

Distance education

Cellphone banking such as M-Pesa

Making computers more accessible for disabled users

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NEW TECHNOLOGY

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What is really important to understand about new technology is the following:It will be smaller, cheaper, faster and

more powerful than what we have today.

It will use more and more sensors.

It will be designed to be mobile.

The battery life should be longer than today.

It will be designed to be constantly connected and communicating.

It will combine new technologies to allow easier and more effective input and output.

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TEST AND IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

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Written module activity