Technology In Action

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 Technology In Action
Chapter 2
Looking at Computers:
Understanding the Parts

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 Chapter Topics
• Hardware components
• Input devices
• Output devices
• System unit
• Ergonomics

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 Hardware
•System Unit
•Peripheral Devices
System Unit

Peripheral Devices

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 Input Devices
• Devices used to
enter information
or instructions into
the computer
– Keyboard
– Mouse / pointing device
– Microphone
Scanner
– Scanner
– Digital camera

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 Keyboard
• The QWERTY
keyboard is standard
on most PCs
• Enhanced features
include number,
function and
navigation keys.

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 Dvorak Keyboard
• Puts the most commonly used keys at “home keys”
• Reduces distance of finger stretches

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 Specialty Keyboards
• Laptops Laptop
• PDAs
• Wireless
• Ergonomic
• Gaming

PDA
Ergonomic

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 Mouse
• Rollerball mouse
– Less expensive Standard
– Harder to keep clean
• Trackball Wireless
– Harder to control
– Stationary on desk
• Optical mouse Trackball
– Needs no mouse pad
Optical
– Doesn’t need cleaning
– More expensive
• Game pads
– Buttons and pointing devices

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 Other Input Devices
Handheld
• Scanners
– Text
– Images
Flatbed
• Digital cameras
– Images
– Video

Camera Camcorder

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 Input for the Physically Challenged
• Visually Impaired
– Voice recognition
– Keyboards with large keys
– On-screen keyboards
• Motor control
– Special trackballs
– Head-mounted devices

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 Inputting Sound
• Microphone Input Microsoft Voice Recognition

– Teleconferencing
– Voice over Internet
– Voice Recognition

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 Output Devices
• Retrieving information
from the computer
• Output devices
– Softcopy (video,
sounds, control
signals)
– Hardcopy (print)

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 Monitor Types
• CRT Cathode Ray Tube • LCD Liquid Crystal Display
– Less expensive – More expensive
– Use much more space – Uses far less space
– Uses more energy – More energy efficient
– Better viewing angles – Less viewable from an angle

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 CRT Monitors
• Uses picture tube technology
• Screen size – Diagonal
measurement of the screen (15, 17,
19, 21)
• Resolution – Sharpness of the
image determined by the number
pixels that the screen can display
(800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1600 x
1200)
• Refresh rate – Speed at which the
screen is refreshed (60Hz, 75Hz)
Faster rate equals less flicker.

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 Liquid Crystal Display
• Liquid crystal sandwiched between two
transparent layers form images
• Used for notebook computers, PDAs, cellular
phones, and personal computers

Polarizer
Color filter
Color filter
Liquid glass
Crystal

Glass
polarizer

Backlight

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 Other Video Output
• Touch-screen monitors double as both
input and output devices.
• Data projectors project a computer image
to a large screen for sharing with large
groups.

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 Printers
• Impact printers Inkjet
– Dot-matrix
• Nonimpact printers Dot-matrix
– Inkjet
– Laser Laser
– Multifunction
• Specialty printers Multifunction
– Plotters
– Thermal printers Plotter

Thermal printer
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 Nonimpact Printers
• Inkjet
– Less expensive device
– Full color printing
– Slower in pages per • Laser
minute (PPM)
– More expensive device
– More expensive per
– Black and White (Color
page in B&W
lasers are very
expensive)
– Faster in PPM
– Less expensive in B&W

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 Outputting Sound
• Speakers and
Headphones

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 The System Unit
Box that contains the
central electronic
components of the
computer:
– CPU/RAM/
motherboard
– Expansion cards
– Power supply
– Storage devices

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 The Front Panel
• Drive bays
• Memory card
reader
• Floppy drive
• Productivity
ports
• Power button

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 The Back
• Ports for peripheral devices
• Types of ports:
– Serial
– Parallel
– VGA
– USB
– Connectivity

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 Inside the System Unit
• Essential
electronic
components used
to process data
• Types of
components:
– Power supply
– Hard disk drive
– Motherboard
– CPU
– Expansion cards

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 The Motherboard
• CPU
• RAM
• Expansion
cards
• Chip set
• Built-in
components

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 Expansion Cards
• Adds functions
• Provides new connections for peripheral
devices
• Common types:
– Sound
– Modem
– Video (VGA)
– Network (NIC)

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 Hard Disk Drive
• Stores data and program
instructions
• Permanent (nonvolatile)
storage
• Storage capacities up to
250 GB and higher
• Transfers data in
milliseconds

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 Setting it all up: Ergonomics
• Ergonomics refers to
minimizing injury or
discomfort while using
the computer
• Steps to follow:
– Position monitor correctly
– Use adjustable chair
– Assume proper position
while typing
– Take breaks
– Ensure adequate lighting

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 Chapter 2 Summary Questions
• What devices do you use to get data into
the computer?

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 Chapter 2 Summary Questions
• What devices enable us to see or hear the
processed information?

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 Chapter 2 Summary Questions
• What’s on the front of your system unit?

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 Chapter 2 Summary Questions
• What’s on the back of your system unit?

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 Chapter 2 Summary Questions
• What’s inside your system unit?

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 Chapter 2 Summary Questions
• How do you set up your computer to avoid
strain and injury?

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