ITM 11012

Introduction to Information Technology

Unit 3: Computer Hardware

Department of Information Technology

Faculty of Arts and Culture

South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

 Computer Hardware

Input Devices
Data and instructions are fed to the computer system using input devices.
There are many input devices. The following are some of them.

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
• Typing Keys- Used to type letters (A-Z)
• Function Keys- Used only for very specialized functions. (F1-F12)
• Special Keys- Enter, Backspace, Tab
• Control Keys- Keys that control the indicator and computer screen (ctrl,
Alt)
• Numeric Keys – More specifically for industries (numbers)

Pointing Devices

Example 1 – Mouse
• This is the most popular pointing device used.
• Mouse provides input via buttons.
• The mouse contains a left button and a right button.
• Mouse has a wheel to roll up and down in the screen.
• Laptop computers use, a touch pad or a mouse as the pointing device.

Example 2 - 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.

Example 3 - Joy Stick

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

Example 4 - Light pen

• This 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 mostly used in
Computer Aided Designs (CAD).

Imaging and Video Input Devices

Example 1 - 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.

Example 2 - 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.

Example 3 - 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
Example 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.

Example 2 - Bar Code Reader

• This device is used to read the bar codes.
• The bar code is converted to an alphanumeric value by the bar code
reader and is fed to the computer connected

Example 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.

Example 4 - Optical Character Recognition - OCR Device

• 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.

Example 5 - Optical Mark Recognition - OMR Device

• 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.
Example 6 - Automated Teller Machine - ATM
• ATMs have made bank transactions convenient for customers.
• ATM machine reads the numbers in the debit or credit cards inserted
into the machine and connect to the computer.
• Once the bank account number is read through the ATM, one system
connects with the bank's computer for processing the transaction.

Microphone
• Microphone is used to feed sound to a computer.

Output Devices
There are several methods of producing the processed information by a
computer system. Some of them are,

1. Soft copy
2. Hard copy
3. Sound

1. 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.

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.

2. Hard Copy
Hard copies are tangible computer outputs. The following are devices which
provide hard copy output.

Printers
There are two main types of printers. These are,

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.

Example 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.

Example 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 do 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

Example 1 - Laser Printers

• In a laser printer, the toner (dried ink) in a cartridge is applied on the
paper to produce the printout. Both black and white, as well as colour
laser printers are available. The laser printer produces clear and
quality printouts.

Example 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.

Example 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.
Example 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.

3. Sounds
The device which gives a sound output is called speaker. Speaker devices are
designed for personal and common purpose.

Central Processing Unit - CPU

This is the main component of a computer system. It is also called the brain
of the computer as well as it functions according to the given commands. CPU
manages the operating system and application software.
CPU consists of three main components. The functions of those are as follows;

1. Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU)

• Perform all mathematical and logical functions.

2. Control Unit (CU)

• Controls all devices of a computer system.

3. Memory Registers
• Temporarily stores data needed for the function of ALU and the
information produced by ALU.

Computer Speed
The unit used to measure clock speed of a computer is Hertz (Hz) and the units
used to measure computer speed are Megahertz (MHz) and Gigahertz (GHz).

Computer Memory
Several computer memory or storage devices are used to store data and
information and the functions of each are different. Computer memory can be
classified as follows.
Random Access Memory (RAM) is often referred as Main Memory.

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.

1. 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. RAM has both read-write facility.

2. 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 mother boars

3. 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. The Central Processing
Unit checks cache memory first to see whether the required data is
available for processing.
• However, if the required data is not available then the data is fetched
to cache memory from RAM for processing.

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.
These can be classified as follows.
I. Magnetic Media Devices
II. Optical media
III. Solid State Devices

I. Magnetic Media Devices

Data is stored here by using magnetic field.

Example 1 – 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.
 Example 2 - Magnetic Tape
• Used mostly in sever computers for back up due to its larger storage
capacity. But tape is not used in day today life as it is slow in reading
and writing.

II. 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. The followings are some of them;

Device Type Size

CD-ROM Used only to read, written data 650 - 900
(Compact Disc - and instructions MB
Read Only
Memory)
CD-R (Compact Can be used to write data and
Disc -Write once) information once until the
capacity is filled.
CD-RW (Compact Data which is written on the disk
Disc Re-Writable) can be erased and re-written.
DVD-ROM Used only to read, written data 4.7 – 9.4 GB
(Digital Versatile and instructions
Disc - Read Only
Memory)
DVD-R (Digital Can be used to write data and
Versatile Disc - information once until the
Write Once) capacity is filled.
DVD – RW Data which is written on the disk
(Digital Versatile can be erased and re-written.
Disc - Rewritable)
 Blue ray Disc Can be used to write data and 25 – 128
(BD) R information once until the GB
(Recordable) capacity is filled.
Blue-ray RE More data can be re-written many
(Recordable times until the capacity is filled.
Erasable)
Blue - ray 3D Used to record video.

III. 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.

Example 1 - 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.

Example 2 - 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.

1. PS/2 ports
2. Parallel port
3. HDMI port
4. RJ 45 port
5. Audio ports
6. USB port
7. Video port
8. Serial ports

1. 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. However,
USB port is mostly used today to connect the keyboard and the mouse to the
computer system.

2. 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 to computer
systems.

3. 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.

4. RJ 45 Port
This port connects computer of a computer network to the network router,
network switch.

5. 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

6. USB (Universal Serial Bus Port)

This port is used to connect many types of input and output devices to the
computer.

7. 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.

8. Serial port
This port connects devices such as modem to the computer. Today, USB port
is used instead of the serial port.