Computer hardware

What is a computer?
A computer can be described as an electronic device, which accepts or collects data, processes
them according to the given instructions and produces the desired output.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Characteristics of a computer
 Speed
A computer takes only a few seconds to perform calculations. It executes more than one
million instructions per second.
 Accuracy
A computer provides correct output when correct instructions and data are given.
Efficiency A computer never gets tired. It can work round the clock with the same level
of accuracy.
 Versatility
A computer can be used to perform many tasks simultaneously. This is one of the special
features of a computer.
 Storing and Retrieving
A computer is used to store large number of data and information in a relatively small unit and
we can retrieve them easily and quickly when needed.

Computer system
When all the components of a computer is got together it is called a computer system. There are
four main parts of a computer.
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Live ware
4. Firmware
Hardware
When all physical components are get together that is called hardware.
Speakers
Microphone
Web cam
Touch Screen
Light Pen
Projector
Printer
Data Glues
Digital Camera
Scanner
MICR
OCR
OMR
Barcode Reader
Joystick

They are again divided into 4 categories considering their task.

1. Input devices
2. Output devices
3. Processing devices
4. Storage devices
Input devices
Data and instructions are fed to the computer system using input devices. There are many input
devices. They are also divided into 2 parts.
1. Keyboard entry
2. Direct entry

Keyboard
This is the most common input device. Though it is designed with the format of a conventional
type writer, it provides keys for additional functions. Normally keyboards come in two sizes.
That is from 101/102 keys to 104/108 keys. The functions of the keys in the keyboard are given
below
 • Function Keys – use to give different type of commands ( F1 – F12)

• Typing Keys – use to type the letters of the English alphabet(A – Z )

• Numeric Keys – use to enter digits and mathematical operators (0-9 ,/ , *, - , + )

• Control Keys – use to control the cursor and the computer screen(Ctrl, Alt, Insert ,
Home, Page up, page Down, End, Delete)
• Special Keys - use for special purposes
• The circuits inside the computer scans this 100 times per second

According to the port there are 4 types

1. Serial Keyboard
2. PS/2 Keyboard
3. USB Keyboard
4. Wireless Keyboard
Direct entry
All the other input devices except the keyboard are taken under this category. They are mainly 3
categories.
1. Pointing device
2. Scanning device
3. Image and Video input Device
Pointing device
The devices that can be used to point and show something on the computer screen are called
pointing devices.
 Mouse
 Light pen
 Touch Screen
 Joystick

Mouse
Scroll Button

Left Button Right Button

(Normal (Contest
Button) Button)
Mainly there are 3 buttons in a mouse.
1. Left Button (Normal)
2. Right Button ( Contest Button)
3. Scroll Button
When considering the activities of a mouse, we can see 4 activities.
1. Click
2. Double Click
3. Drag And Drop
4. Treble Click

Click
Press and releasing of one button of the mouse is called a click. This is used for selection.
Double Click
Pressing a button of a mouse twice is called a double click. This is used for opening.
Drag And Drop
Dragging something while Pressing one button of the mouse and drop it in somewhere is called
drag and drop. This is used for moving something.
Treble click
Pressing one button of the mouse trice is called a treble click. This is used for all select.

There are 2 types of mouse according to the technology.

 Track Ball Technology Mouse
 Optical Technology Mouse
There are 4 types of mouse according to the type of the port.
• Serial Mouse
• PS/2 Mouse
• USB Mouse
• Wireless Mouse

A touch pad is used in the laptops instead of a mouse.

Right Button

Left Button
Light pen
Light pen is used to select menu items on the screen or to draw/write on the screen. The
appearance is similar to a normal pen. This is used in Computer Aided Designs(CAD).

Joy Stick
This is also a pointing device used in computer games which can move the cursor.

Touch screen
This is the input and output device in the modern computers and mobile phones. Data is fed by
touching the screen. It also acts as a pointing device. There are mainly two types.
• Capacitive
• Resistive
Imaging and Video Input Device
Digital Camera
This is the input device used to input photographs and videos to the computer. Display screen
serves as the output device of the camera.
Webcam
The webcam is used to view a user connected to the computer through internet or to capture
videos. It is positioned on top of the laptop monitor, and for desktop computers, can be
connected externally
Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
The images or videos captured by cameras are fed as input to the computers. CCTVs are
commonly used to maintain road safety and the security of premises.
Scanners
1 - Flatbed Scanners
This is an input device which functions like a photocopying machine. The scanned image or
document is captured by the laser beams and converted to digital data. The scanned picture /
document can be saved in the computer
2 - Bar Code Reader
This device is used to read the bar codes. (Figure 2.21) The bar code is converted to an
alphanumeric value by the bar code reader and is fed to the computer connected to it.
3 - Magnetic Ink Character Reader - MICR
This is available in banks. It is used to check the accuracy of a cheque. This device reads
numbers printed at the bottom of the cheque, its data such as bank code, bank account number
and feed them to the computer.
4 - Optical Mark Recognition - OMR
This is an input device which recognizes marks made using a pencil or a pen. It is commonly
used to check forms filled in pen or pencil, correct MCQs of exam papers. It can read the marks
and feed that data to the computer.
5 - Optical Character Recognition - OCR
This is used to capture text in a document and to edit that captured text in the document. This is
commonly used in libraries and in government institutes.
Finger Print Scanner
This is used to check the finger print samples. Most of all the time this is used in security
systems.
Data Glow
This is used to get the different movements of the body.
Microphone
Microphone is used to feed sound to a computer.

Out Put Device

There are several methods of producing the processed information by a computer system. Some
of them are,
(i) Soft copy
(ii) Hard copy
(iii) Sound
(i) Soft Copy
The output on the screen is called a soft copy. The soft copy output can be provided on the
following devices.
Monitor/ Screen
This is also called Visual Display Unit (VDU). There are several types of monitors available
today.
A - Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor
This type of monitor, is large in size and consumes more electricity.
B - Liquid Crystal Display - LCD
This is a flat screen type technology. LCD displays utilize two sheets of polarizing material with
a liquid crystal solution between them. LED consumes less electricity.
C - Light Emitting Diode - LED
LED screens are designed using light emitting diodes. LED displays have better brightness and
they are used for symbols, billboards and name boards in common places and roads. This has
become a popular medium today due to its low electricity consumption.
Differences between CTR and LED monitors
CRT monitor LED monitor
More electricity consumption less electricity consumption
Difficult to transport Easy to transport
Large in size Small in size
Quality of images is low Quality of images is high
Screen of the monitor is created with small dots. These dots are called pixels. Amount of these
pixels are called resolution. If the resolution is high the quality is high else the quality is low.
Multimedia Projector
This is the device used to get information output to a wide screen so that several people can view
it at the same time. This can be used as a visual aid by a teacher to display presentations, to
conduct business meetings or to watch videos for entertainment.
(ii) Hard Copy
Hard copies are tangible computer outputs. The following are devices which provide hard copy
output.
Printers
1' Impact Printers
Impact printers are a primary level device in the printing technology. Impact printer refers to a
class of printers that have a head or needle which strike against an ink ribbon to make a mark on
the paper. Its function it is noisy. However, since the ink ribbon used is not expensive, this is
used in banks and shops for printing receipts etc. The following are some of the impact printers
1 - Dot Matrix Printer
Letters are printed on the paper as small dots here when the printer’s head strikes on the inked
ribbon with needle like tips.
2 - Line Printer
This is a fast printer which prints one row at a time. This can print about 3000 lines per minute.
2' Non Impact Printers
Non impact printers does not operate by striking a head against a ribbon. Hence, it is not noisy.
The printouts are better quickly. Running cost of these printers are more expensive than impact
printers. The following are some of the non impact printers.
1 - Laser Printers
Laser printer utilizes a laser beam to produce an image (through a mirror) on a drum. The light of
the laser alters the electrical charge on the drum and apply toner (dried ink) in the cartridge.
There are laser printers which print about four A4 size papers per minute.
Both black and white, as well as colour laser printers are available. The laser printer produces
clear and quality printouts.
2 - Bubble/Ink Jet Printer
Liquid ink stored in tanks is kept in the cartridge and ink is deposited on paper through small
nozzles and produce the print.
3 - Thermal printers
Heat is used to print the document. It is commonly used in businesses to print receipts in devices
such as like ATM, and in printing labels
4 - Plotter
This is commonly used in computer based planning (architectural designs, town planning,
designing sailing boats etc). A plan is drawn by moving a pen on the paper.
Storage Device
Devices that are used for storing data are called storage devices. This can be divided into 2 parts.
 Primary Storage Unit
 Secondary Storage Unit
Primary Memory
The memory that can be directly accessed by the Central Processing Unit is called primary
memory/storage. There are three types of Primary Memory
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This memory temporarily stores data. The data stored in RAM will be deleted when the
computer is switched off. Therefore this is also called volatile memory. Data coming from input
devices as well as data sent to output devices are held in RAM
Static Ram
This memory is used to make memory chips.
Eg-: Register
Cache Memory

Dynamic Ram
These are used to make memory modules. Mainly there ere two.
1. SD RAM
2. DDR RAM
These do have a speed and it is called bus speed.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

The data in Read Only Memory is not erased when the computer is switched off. Therefore it is a
Non-volatile Memory. The commands required for booting up a computer are stored in ROM.
These commands are called BIOS (Basic Input Output System). Computer Manufacturing
companies store these commands in a ROM with a smaller capacity and is connected to the
motherboard.
There are three types of ROMs.
1. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
2. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
 3. EEPROM (Electronic Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
PROM
There is an empty chip and the data can be inserted only once
EPROM
Here the data can be inserted again and again Ultra violet (UV)rays are
required for erasing data.
EEPROM
Here also we can insert data again and again. But electricity is required
for the insertion and deletion of data.

Cache Memory
Though this is smaller in capacity than other memory, it is faster. This is also called CPU
Memory. This acts as the mediator between CPU (Central Processing Unit) and Primary
Memory. The data frequently used by are stored here. There are 3 parts.
1. L1
Built inside the CPU
Has a less capacity while having the highest speed
2. L2
Built in the motherboard near the CPU.
3. L3
Built in the motherboard near the CPU. Has a heigher capacity while having the lowest
speed
Secondary Memory
Secondary Memory or the Secondary Storage is the device which stores data and information
permanently. This is also called External Storage. There are internal storage devices as well as
external portable secondary storage devices. Secondary memory is called non-volatile memory
since it does not erase when electricity is not available
Here the devices are made up of using 3 main materials.
1. Magnetic Media Device
2. Optical Media Device
3. Solid State Device
Measuring the capacity of a computer considering the storage of the devices.
SI unit of measuring capacity of a computer is Bytes. A Byte is made up of 8bits. A bit is the
smallest unit of measuring capacity of a computer.
The following units are introduced because the Byte is a small unit.
8 Bits 1 Byte
4 Bits 1 Nibble
1024 Byte 1 Kilo Byte
1024 Kilo Byte 1 Mega Byte
1024 Mega Byte 1 Giga Byte
1024 Giga Byte 1 Tera Byte
1024 Tera Byte 1 Peta Byte
Hard disk Drive
The Hard Disk Drive (HDD), which is commonly used to store data and information, is located
inside the computer. However, there are external hard disks as well. Today there are hard disks
with large capacity due to the development of the technology. The user can read and write the
data stored in HDD. Therefore, this medium is called Read / Write Memory. The capacity of a
hard disk ranges from 250 GB to 4 TB. The maximum capacity will increase with technological
development. speed of the HDD is measured by RPM(Rounds Per Minute) some HDDs do have
7200RPM while some are having 5400RPM.
There are several parts inside the HDD.

Platter – This is a metallic, aluminum or ceramic disk and data can stored on both sides using
magnetic media. There can be several platters in a hard disk.
Spindle – Holds the platter and rotates it.
Head – Reads the magnetic data in the platter and writes on the platter. There are two heads for a
platter; one on top and one on bottom.
Actuator arm – Moves the head. Enables reading and writing data anywhere in the platter.
Power connector – Connects the Hard Disk to power which is needed for its function.
IDE connector – Transmits data to the platter
Actuator – An electronic device which moves the arm connected to it. This is operated by a
motor.

Two types of cables are used to transfer data from a hard disk.
1. IDE Cable- parallel data travel(IDE-Integrated Drive Electronic)
2. SATA Cable- serial data travel(SATA-Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

Second method has a more speed.

Floppy Disk

Floppy disks are used for data travelling a long time ago. This also has a RPM about 3200. They
are made in 3 types.
1. 3 1/2 -1.44MB
2. 5 1/4 -1.2MB
3. 8 -1MB
ZIP disk

These are equivalent to floppy disks in many ways. But they are made up of 100MB, 250MB and
750MB capacities
Jaz disk
.
These are also equivalent to floppy disks in many ways. But they are made up of 1GB and 2GB
capacities
Magnetic Tape
Used mostly in sever computers for back up due to its larger storage capasity. But tape is not
used in day today life as it is slow in reading and writing
Optical media
Since data stored digitally on a disk is read and written by laser beam, it is called optical media.
Optical media is commonly used to carry data and information and there are several types.
• CD-Compact Disk
• DVD-Digital Versatile Disk
• Blue-ray
CD
A CD is a 12cm and 2mm thick polycarbonate disk.
Can store data up to 650-900MB
There are 3 types
• CD-ROM-Compact Disk Read Only Memory
• CD-R-Compact Disk Write once
• CD-RW- Compact Disk Re-Writable
DVD
These are having many features of CDs.
Can store data up to 4.7-9.4GB
Blue-ray
These are also equivalent to CDs and DVDs when considering the features.
Can store data up to 25-128GB
There are 3 types.
1. Blue-ray-R (Recordable)
2. Blue-ray-RE (Recordable Erasable
3. Blue-ray 3D – Use to record 3D videos
Solid state devices
Since these devices contain solid parts and does not contain moving parts they are called Solid
State Devices. They are used to read and write data and information.
Eg: flash drive
Memory cards
USB Flash Drive
This has become a very popular secondary storage device due to its easy portability and the
ability to read and write data fast. They are made up of different sizes.
4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Memory Card
This has the same function of USB flash drive. However, the method of connecting to the
computer is different and it is smaller in physical size. This is used in digital cameras, mobile
phones and computer gaming devices.
E.g. - SD Card (Secure Digital Card)
Computer Ports
The interfaces which connect computer with its devices or with other computers are called ports.
Ports are positioned in the front or back of the computer. There are symbols to identify posts. All
the ports are connected to the motherboard. They are divided into 2 parts.
 Serial Port
 PS/2 Port
 Parallel Port
 VGA Port
 USB Port
 Network Port
 Sound Port
 HDMI Port
Serial port
This port connects devices such as modem to the computer. Today, USB port is used instead of
the serial port.
PS/2 Port
Used to connect the keyboard and the mouse to the computer system. The purple port is for the
keyboard and the green port is for the mouse. (Figure 2.50) However, USB port is mostly used
today to connect the keyboard and the mouse to the computer system.
Parallel Port
Used to connect the printer to the computer system. This consists of 25 holes. However, USB
port is mostly used today to connect printers and scanners to computer systems.
HDMI (High - Definition Multimedia Interface) port
This port can be seen especially in laptops. It connects the monitor, multimedia projector, digital
TVs, and digital speakers to the computer.
RJ 45 Port(network port)
This port connects computer of a computer network to the network router, network switch.
Audio Ports/ Jacks
This port connects audio media like microphones, speakers and head phones to the computer
system.
 Blue – Line In
 Green – Line Out, Head Phone
 Pink – Microphone
USB (Universal Serial Bus Port)
This port is used to connect many types of input and output devices to the computer.
Video port - VGA (Video Graphics Adaptor)
This is also called the Graphic Port. This connects the monitor, or multimedia projector to the
computer system. The port consists of 15 holes.
Structure of the computer system
Computer Classification
Classification according to size
(i) Super Computers
These computers have higher computing power. They are large in size, expensive and rare.
These are used for scientific and engineering functions and to solve complex mathematical
problems. For example, these computers are used in institutes like NAZA, large scale businesses
and for military purposes.
Eg: Titan,Blue gene/Q
Tianhe
Colombia Earth Simulator
Nec

(ii) Mainframe Computers

These have relatively less computing power and less expensive than the super computers. In
mainframe computers, a number of users get connected to one computer using a number of
terminals sharing, saving and retrieving data. These are used in large scale businesses and in e
business. This type of computers are used even today in some large commercial institutions.

(iii) Mini Computers

These are slower, less powerful and less expensive than Mainframe computers and are also
called common purpose computers. These are easy to use. A few users get connected to the
central computer here through a few terminals to share data and information. Some banking
systems use mini computers.

(iv) Personal Computers/ Micro Computers

This is a small computer meant for personal use. This consists of a small memory capacity, is
smaller in size, is less speedy and is less expensive. Further, this consumes little electricity.
Laptop computers and personal computers are some examples for this category
1. Desktop Computer
2. Laptop Computer
3. Hand Held Computer
Classification according to technology
(I) Analog Computers
These computers use analog signals such as environmental parameters (speed, pressure, and
temperature). Speedometers, road lamps with sensors, meteorological machines can be given as
examples.
(II) Digital Computers
The computers used in day-to-day life are called digital computers. These computers use digital
signals, using electricity.
(III) Hybrid Computers
This is a combination of analog and digital computers. The ECG machine used in hospitals to
check the function of the heart is an example for hybrid computers. This machine identifies the
function of the heart beat which is an analog signal. Then it is converted to a digital signal and
these converted signals are printed by this machine.
Computer generations
There are 5 generations.
1. First generation
2. Second generation
3. Third generation
4. Forth generation
5. Fifth generation
First generation
Time period: 1940 to 1956
Processing device: vacuum tube
Data storage: magnetic drum
Purpose: punch cards
Special features: process slowly making more heat
Large in size
Consume more electricity
More expensive
Software: stored program concept (machine language and assembly language stored)
Created systems: ENIAC-Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.
UNIVAC-Universal automatic computer

EDSAC-Electronic delay storage automatic computer

EDVAC-Electronic delay storage automatic computer

IBM701
Second generation

Time period: 1956 to 1963

Processing device: transistors
Data storage: magnetic tape (floppy disk)
Purpose: punch cards
Special features: process slowly making less heat
Large in size
Consume less electricity
Expensive
Software: higher level programming language (Stored Program Concept)
Systems created: honey well 400
IBM 7030
UNIVAC LARK
CDC 1604
third generation

Time period: 1964 to 1975

Processing device: Integrated Circuits (IC)
Data storage: magnetic disk
Purpose: keyboard, mouse
Special features: process speedily making less heat
Comparatively small in size in size
Consume less electricity
Expensive
Software: well developed higher level programming language
Development of operating systems

Systems created: IBM-360/370

PDP-8
PDP-11
CDC-6600
fourth generation

Time period: 1975 to 1989

Processing device: LSIC ,VLSIC Micro Processor
Data storage: Hard disk, floppy disk, Optical disk
Purpose: keyboard, mouse
Special features: more speed
small in size
Software: Development of operating systems with graphical user interfaces. (eg: Unix)
Systems created: IBM PC
Apple II

fifth generation

Time period: 1989 to present

Processing device: ULSI(Ultra Large Scale)
Data storage: Hard disk, Optical disk
Purpose: keyboard, mouse
Special features: more speed
Very small in size
Less expensive
 More accurate
Software: Development of operating systems with well-developed graphical user interfaces, internet and
multimedia applications
recognition of characters and voice using artificial intelligence

Systems created: IBM Notes book

Pentium PCs

SUN Workstations

Computer history
 The abacus was created by Chinese about 3000BC. This considers as the first calculating
machine.
 Adding Machine was created by Blaise Pascal in 1642. This considers as the first mechanical
calculating machine. Addition and subtraction can be done using this device.
 Recorner was created by Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibnitz in 1674 by developing the adding
machine. In addition to adding machine multiplication ans division also can be done using this.
 In 1617 John Napier introduced the concept of logarithm to the world. He wrote them on elephant
tusks. They are called Napier bones.
 Mechanical Looming machine was created by Joseph Jacquard in 1801 for weaving cloths. Punch
cards were used for making designs on those cloths.
 In 1822 an English nation called Charles Babbage created the Different Engine. Analytical
Engine also was created by him. This was consist of data input, processing, output and storage.
Because of that reason he is considers as the father of computer.
 Ada Augusta Lovelace was tried to create computer programs for this machine. Therefore she is
considers as the first programmer.
 Punchcard Tabulating machine was created by Herman Hollerith in 1890. In 1911 Punch
tabulating machine company was started by him. Later it was named as IBM.
 ABC (Atanasoff-berry computer) was created by a Bulgarian professor John Vincent during the
time of 1937-1942.
 An automatic calculator called Mark 1 was created by Howard eiken in 1944. This considers as
the first electronic digital calculator.
 The mouse was found by Douglas Cal engelbart
 Alan Turing is the father of modern computer science. As an honor to him the highest award
given in computer science is called as Turing award.
 Mark 1 is the first Electromechanic digital computer
 ENIAC is the first digital computer. It was created by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
 Pascaline is the first mechanical calculator.