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Computer Components Unit 1: Human Computer Interactions

Computer Components Unit 1: Human Computer Interactions

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Computer Components

Unit 1: Human Computer Interactions

Table of Contents Introduction: Importance of Knowing Your Components

Computer Components: Processor Operating System Memory Hard Drive Optical Drive Monitor Video Card Sound Card Speakers Keyboard Mouse Modem

IntroductionWhat’s so important about knowing PCs?

Computers are everywhere. There’s not a whole lot you can do in the professional world (job wise) without a computer. Knowing the different components will help you save money and keep yourself from getting frustrated when you buy a personal computer that you eventually want to throw out the window.

Computer ComponentsWhat you need to know

Processor• The processor (CPU, for Central

Processing Unit) is the computer's brain. It allows the processing of numeric data, meaning information entered in binary form (0 and 1), and the execution of instructions stored in memory. 

• Why is processor speed important?• The processor speed is important

because it will help one know how many instructions will be executed within a given time duration.

• The bigger your processor the better

Operating SystemWindows Mac OS XChrome OS Desktop LinuxAndroid Convertibles iPad with Keyboard

• An operating system is software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services

• Which operating system is the winner?• We covered six different options here, but no

one of them is the winner. There is no one answer that applies to everyone – each operating system has its own strengths and each is ideal for different people.

Memory Primary storage, also known

as main storage or memory, is the main area in a computer in which data is stored for quick access by the computer's processor.

Also known as RAM (Random Access Memory)

It stores the data before it can be processed

When choosing between a faster processor or more RAM. Go for the latter.

Hard DriveComputer hardware that

holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk

The hard drive reads and writes information on these

magnetic/optical disks

Optical DriveOptical drives retrieve and/or store data on optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu-ray discs) which hold much more

information than classic portable media options like the floppy disk

Monitor A device that displays

signals on a computer screen

A monitor influences everything you do on your PC. It can make games more impressive, movies sharper and documents clearer.

Details matter

Image:http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-shopping-monitor/

Video CardAlternatively referred to as a

display adapter, graphics card, video adapter, video board, or a video controller, a video card is

an internal circuit board that allows a display device such as a monitor to display images from

the computer.

Sound CardThe sound card is an expansion card that allows the computer to

send audio information to an audio device like speakers or a

pair of headphones.

ASUS Xonar DX PCIe Sound Card© Newegg Inc.

SpeakersComputer speakers range widely

in quality and in price. The computer speakers typically

packaged with computer systems are small, plastic, and have

mediocre sound quality. Some computer speakers have

equalization features such as bass and treble controls.

Keyboard and MouseKeyboard: a data input device for computers

All pictures of keyboards are from: http://image-base.blogspot.com/2011/09/

pictures-of-keyboards.html

Mouse: a hand-operated electronic

device that controls the coordinates of a cursor

on your computer screen as you move it

around

ModemModems are networking

devices that convert analog and digital data for computer-to-computer communication.

This is what you use to connect you to the internet.

Good Luck With Your Project