Computers and hardware



Computers and hardware

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SANTIAGO TORREIRA ÁLVAREZ

OSCAR FORD GONZALEZ

IES VELÁZQUEZ 4º ESO

Index

INTRODUCTION 3

What is a computer? 3

What is hardware? 3

What are output and input devices? 3

What are peripheral devices? 4

WHEN WAS THE FIRST COMPUTER INVENTED? 5

First mechanical computer or automatic computing engine concept 5

DEVICES OF THE COMPUTER (HARDWARE) 5

EXTERNAL HARDWARE: 6

INTERNAL HARDWARE 8

COMPUTERS NOWADAYS 9

HOW A COMPUTER IS MADE: 9

FOR WHAT WE CAN USE IT: 11

INTRODUCTION

What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You probably already know that you can use a computer to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web.

What is hardware?

Hardware is best described as any physical component of a computer system that contains a circuit board, ICs, or other electronics. A perfect example of hardware is the screen on which you are viewing this project . Whether it be a computer monitor, tablet or smart phone; it's hardware.

Without any hardware, your computer would not exist

What are output and input devices?

An input device converts incoming data and instructions into a pattern of electrical signals in binary code that are comprehensible to a digital computer. An output device reverses the process, translating the digitized signals into a form intelligible to the user.

In here we can see a list of output and input devices:

 Input Devices:

a)      Graphics Tablets

b)      Cameras

c)      Video Capture Hardware

d)     Trackballs

e)      Barcode reader

f)       Digital camera

g)      Gamepad

h)      Joystick

i)        Keyboard

j)        Microphone

k)      MIDI keyboard

l)        Mouse (pointing device)

m)    Scanner

n)      Webcam

o)      Touchpads

p)      Pen Input

q)      Microphone

r)       Electronic Whiteboard

 Output devices :

1. Monitor

2. Printers (all types)

3. Plotters

4. Projector

5. LCD Projection Panels

6. Computer Output Microfilm (COM)

7. Speaker(s)

What are peripheral devices?

A peripheral device is an internal or external device that connects directly to a computer but does not contribute to the computer's primary function, such as computing. It helps end users access and uses the functionalities of a computer.

A peripheral device provides input/output (I/O) functions for a computer and serves as an auxiliary computer device without computing-intensive functionality. Peripheral devices connect with a computer through several I/O interfaces, such as communications (COM), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and serial ports.

Peripheral devices include the following:

• Mouse

• Keyboard

• Printer

• Webcam

• Printer

• Scanner

• External drives

• Graphics cards

• CD-ROM

WHEN WAS THE FIRST COMPUTER INVENTED?

There is no easy answer to this question due to the many different classifications of computers. The first mechanical computer, created by Charles Babbage in 1822, doesn't really resemble what most would consider a computer today.

First mechanical computer or automatic computing engine concept

In 1822, Charles Babbage conceptualized and began developing the Difference Engine, considered to be the first automatic computing machine. The Difference Engine was capable of computing several sets of numbers and making hard copies of the results.

DEVICES OF THE COMPUTER (HARDWARE)

In a computer we have external and internal hardware. External are the keyboard ,the mouse, the speakers, the screen…

Internal hardware is the motherboard, the memory RAM…

EXTERNAL HARDWARE:

SCREEN: In a computer display , the screen is the physical surface on which visual information is presented. This surface is usually made of glass. The screen size is measured from one corner to the opposite corner diagonally. 

KEYBOARD: A keyboard is the set of typewriter-like keys that enables you to enter data into a computer and other devices. Computer keyboards are similar to electric-typewriter keyboards but contain additional keys. The keys typically found on computer keyboards are often classified as follows:

Alphanumeric keys: The letters and numbers on the keyboard.

Punctuation keys: The comma, period, semicolon, and similar keys.

Special keys: This includes the function keys, control keys, arrow keys, caps Lock key, and so on.

MONITOR: The monitor is the piece of the computer hardware that displays the video and graphics information generated by the computer through the video card.

Monitors are very similar to televisions but usually display information at a much higher resolution.

MOUSE:    A mouse is a small device that a computer user pushes across a desk surface in order to point to a place on a display screen and to select one or more actions to take from that position. The mouse first became a widely-used computer tool when Apple Computer made it a standard part of the Apple Macintosh. Today, the mouse is an integral part of the graphical user interface of any personal computer. The mouse apparently got its name by being about the same size and color as a toy mouse.

SPEAKERS: Speakers are popular output devices used with computer systems. They receive audio input from the computer's sound card and produce audio output in the form of sound waves. Most computer speakers are active speakers, meaning they have an internal amplifier which allows you to increase the volume, or amplitude, of the sound. Speakers usually come in pairs, which allow them to produce stereo sound from two separate audio channels.

SYSTEM UNIT: A system unit it’s a part of the computer in where the motherboard, the CPU, RAM memory and other important things of the computer are house. In this part of the computer all things happen. It’s the most important part.

MICROPHONE: A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting sound waves into an electrical signal. This signal can be amplified as an analog signal or may be converted to a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or other digital audio device

PRINTER: The printer is computer hardware that will print anything written or created on a PC onto paper, whether it is 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. 

COMPUTER CASING: The computer casing is the housing for all the internal components of the PC. These are usually made from steel because they need to be durable. These are often quite bulky, but are the best for enthusiasts because there is plenty of room to work inside and all the components are easy to remove whereas laptops are harder to work on due to the enclosed space

INTERNAL HARDWARE

MOTHERBOARD: The motherboard is a printed circuit board that houses most, if not all of the internal components. These include the Central Processor and the Memory cards as well as sound cards, graphics cards, video cards, any ports such as USB 2.0 or Firewire and the DVI port which handles the Monitor.

PROCESSOR: A processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that drives a computer.

The term processor has generally replaced the term central processing unit (CPU). The processor in a personal computer or embedded in small devices is often called a microprocessor.

MEMORY RAM: RAM (random access memory) is the place in a computer where the operating system, application programs, and data in current use are kept so that they can be quickly reached by the computer's processor. RAM is much faster to read from and write to than the other kinds of storage in a computer, the hard disk, floppy disk, and CD-ROM. However, the data in RAM stays there only as long as your computer is running. When you turn the computer off, RAM loses its data. When you turn your computer on again, your operating system and other files are once again loaded into RAM, usually from your hard disk.

INTERNAL STORAGE: Internal storage is hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and remains persistent even when the computer has no power. There are a few different types of internal storage. Hard disks are the most popular type of internal storage. Solid-state drives have grown in popularity slowly. A disk array controller is popular when you need more storage then a single hard disk can hold.

FAN: A hardware device that keeps the overall computer or a computer device cool by circulating air to or from the computer or component.

COMPUTERS NOWADAYS

In this modern era, technology has important key to do human’s activity. It replaces human’s work like computer. Computer is one example for technology changing. Some people in urban city need it to help their work better and faster. They think that they can do all activity in on time. Hence, all of them makes computer as priority to work.

Firstly, computers help humans to do their job more efficient and effective. Some studies say that computers were faster to work than doing it by hand. Thus computers are better to do work if you have an emergency. It’s really helpful.

Secondly, computers are easy to use in many aspects. Like opening a word and write, its really easy. You don’t need too much time to learn the basic about a computer. Another important aspect is that if you do things by computer its easy to understand the writing, if you do it by hand it’s more difficult to understand it. This happens because some people don’t have clear hand writing and they appreciate lot computer hand writing.

Lastly computers affect paperless. Today’s issues that our earth has thin ozone layer are because of human’s activity like people who throw rubbish such as paper everywhere.

One of the causes is paper which cannot be recycled. Thus, using computers is one approach to reduce paper. It means that no more paper on their desk so it saves our earth from global warming issues.

HOW A COMPUTER IS MADE:

Parts are paramount. If you have ever so much as glimpsed into the dark innards of your desktop computer, you know that the nooks and crannies inside are stuffed with all sorts of shiny (or dust bunny-choked) components. In short, your computer is composed of a lot of individual parts.

We are probably already familiar with the most vital components that make up a typical computer. We need a CPU (central processing unit) , which is the so-called brain of the computer. It processes instructions given to it by software, such as your word processing or accounting programs.

A computer also needs a place to store data. That’s usually a magnetic hard drive. Contemporary hard drives can store many gigabytes or even terabytes worth of data.

Newer (and usually more expensive) hard drives are solid state drives that have no moving parts, and thus, aren’t as susceptible to mechanical failure as older versions.

Small devices, such as smart phones, often don’t require as much storage capacity as full-size computers, so they employ flash memory chips like those used in digital cameras. You can swap flash cards in and out of a device for easy data sharing.

Hard drives are for semi-permanent or long term data storage. RAM (random access memory), however, is short-term storage with smaller capacity. RAM is much faster to access than a hard drive, so it’s important for overall system speed and multi-tasking.

A motherboard is often likened to the human central nervous system. It connects all parts and helps them function as a single machine. Without this crucial circuit board, your computer would be non-fascinating collection of pricey electronics.

Each of these components requires careful engineering and design, not to mention specializing manufacturing machines and expert oversight. That’s why computer manufacturers can’t build every part from scratch. Instead, they generally buy motherboards directly from a motherboard maker. Then they mixed and match components to build a whole machine.

FOR WHAT WE CAN USE IT:

Computers are helpful because they offer a wide range of functions and services that are not available anywhere else. There are four main uses

1. Word processing

2. Internet communications

3. Digital/Audio video composition

4. Desktop publishing

Nevertheless it has more features

With these four things human society has progressed exponentially.

The word processing capabilities of computers are amazing and great. They can automatically correct your spelling and grammar mistakes. The cutting and pasting features are incredible and simple and very useful for revision. As it is said before its easy to read a document written by computer than one written by hand. Also you can insert pictures graphics …

The internet is one of the greatest inventions in humanity. It is a massive networks of computers, each with the ability to access any of the others. Ungodly amounts of information can be found on the internet. It is the ultimate form of media, a combination of newspaper, radio…

Using the internet anyone can communicate with another person for free. In the form of text, video, voice…

Audio/video editing and composition have been made much easier by computers. Cutting and pasting is no longer compromised of using scissors and tape on large reels of film. It no longer costs thousands of dollars of equipment to make a film or to compose music. Now emerging musicians have the ability to compose their own songs and publish them without having to obtain a record contract. Amateur filmmakers can produce work from their own homes. Graphics engineers can use computers to create three dimensional models, or even to generate short or full-length films. Anybody who owns a computer can now enter the field of media production.

Computers have so many uses that cannot be found anywhere else. Word processors are the perfect writing device because you can compose quickly and make changes easily. The internet provides a fast, free, and unique way to get information.

Computers supply an affordable solution to non-professional audio and composition. These reasons are why computers are so helpful in modern society. With the aid of computers, humankind is entering a new era of enlightenment.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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