Information Technology

Hardware

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 Objective
Identify what a Hardware is and its importance.
Content:
- Introduction.
- Hardware Definition.
- External Hardware Definition.
- External Hardware Examples.
- Internal Hardware Definition.
- Internal Hardware Examples.
- What are Hardware upgrades?.
- Conclusions.
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 Introduction

If you think of hardware as any device with

moving parts, hardware could be said to be
first created as early as 2700 B.C. with the
first abacus.
However, most think of hardware as
something containing
a mechanical component, which means
the Antikythera mechanism constructed
between 200 and 60 B.C. would be the first
hardware device.

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 Hardware Definition

Abbreviated as HW, hardware is best

described as any physical component of a
computer system containing a circuit
board, ICs, or other electronics.

Without any hardware, your computer would

not exist, and software could not be used.

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 External Hardware Definition

External describes a hardware device that's

installed outside of the computer. For
example, a printer is an external device
because it connects to the back of the
computer and is outside the case.

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 External Hardware Examples

1.- Flat-panel
2.- Keyboard
3.- Microphone
4.- Mouse
5.- Printer
6.- Scanner
7.- Speaker
8.- Projector
9.- Joystick
10.- Gamepad

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 External Hardware Examples

1.- Flat-panel

Sometimes abbreviated as FPD, a flat-panel

display is a display technology which
succeeds CRT (cathode ray tube) as the
new standard for desktop computer
displays.
Unlike CRT monitors, flat-panel displays
use LCD (liquid crystal display)
or LED (light-emitting diode) screens,
making them lighter and thinner.

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 External Hardware Examples

2.- Keyboard

A keyboard is one of the primary input

devices used with a computer. Similar to an
electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed
of buttons used to create letters, numbers,
and symbols, and perform additional
functions.

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 External Hardware Examples

3.- Microphone

Sometimes abbreviated as mic,

a microphone is
a hardware peripheral and input
device originally invented by Emile
Berliner in 1877. A microphone allows
computer users to input audio into their
computers.

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 External Hardware Examples

4.- Mouse

A computer mouse is a handheld

hardware input device that controls
a cursor in a GUI (graphical user interface)
for pointing, moving and
selecting text, icons, files and folders on
your computer. In addition to these
functions, a mouse can also be used
to drag-and-drop objects and give you
access to the right-click menu.

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 External Hardware Examples

5.- Printer

A printer is an external hardware output

device that takes the electronic data stored
on a computer or other device and
generates a hard copy. For example, if you
created a report on your computer, you
could print several copies to hand out at a
staff meeting. Printers are commonly used
to print text and photos.

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 External Hardware Examples

6.- Scanner

When referring to hardware,

a scanner, image scanner, or optical
scanner is a hardware input device that
optically "reads" an image and converts it to
a digital signal. For example, a scanner may
convert a printed picture, drawing, or
document (hard copy) to a digital file that
can be edited on a computer.

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 External Hardware Examples

7.- Speaker

A computer speaker is an output hardware

device that connects to a computer to
generate sound. The signal used to produce
the sound that comes from a computer
speaker is created by the computer's sound
card.

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 External Hardware Examples

8.- Projector

A projector is an output device that takes

images generated by a computer or Blu-ray
player and reproduce them by projection
onto a screen, wall, or another surface. In
most cases, the surface projected onto is
large, flat, and lightly colored. A projector is
often about the size of a toaster and weighs
only a few pounds.

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 External Hardware Examples

9.- Joystick

A joystick is an input device that control a

character or machine in a computer
program, such as a plane in a flight
simulator. They look similar to the control
device you would find on an arcade game,
but nearly always include extra buttons for
additional functionality.

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 External Hardware Examples

10.- Gamepad

A gamepad, game controller, joypad,

or video game controller is a peripheral
device designed to connect to a computer
or console gaming system. It has multiple
buttons and may have one or two mini
joysticks. A gamepad is used for playing
video games of many types, including
sports, first-person shooters, role-playing,
and others.

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 Internal Hardware Definition

Internal describes a device that's installed

inside the computer.

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 Internal Hardware Examples

1.- CPU
2.- Fan
3.- Modem
4.- Motherboard
5.- Network Card
6.- Power supply
7.- RAM
8.- Sound card
9.- Video Card
10.- Hard Disk Drive

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 External Hardware Examples

1.- CPU

Alternately called a processor, central

processor, or microprocessor,
the CPU (pronounced sea-pea-you) is
the central processing unit of the computer.
A computer's CPU handles all instructions it
receives
from hardware and software running on the
computer.

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 External Hardware Examples

2.- Fan

A fan is a hardware device that keeps the

overall computer or a computer device cool
by circulating air to or from the computer or
component. The speed of a fan is measured
in revolutions per minute or RPM, and the
higher the RPM rating, the faster the fan
spins. However, in many cases, the higher
the RPM rating, the louder a fan.

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 External Hardware Examples

3.- Modem

It allows a computer to send and receive

information over telephone lines. When
sending a signal, the device converts
("modulates") digital data to an analog audio
signal, and transmits it over a telephone
line. Similarly, when an analog signal is
received, the modem converts it back
("demodulates" it) to a digital signal.

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 External Hardware Examples

4.- Motherboard

The motherboard is a printed circuit

board and foundation of a computer that is
the biggest board in a computer chassis. It
allocates power and allows communication
to and between the CPU, RAM, and all
other computer hardware components.

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 External Hardware Examples

5.- Network Card

A network card (also called a network

adapter, network interface card, or NIC for
short) acts as the interface between a
computer and a network cable. The purpose
of the network card is to prepare, send, and
control data on the network. In this article,
we will introduce this component.

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 External Hardware Examples

6.- Power Supply

Abbreviated as PS or P/S, a power

supply or PSU (power supply unit) is
a hardware component of a computer that
supplies all other components with power.
The power supply converts a 110-115 or
220-230 volt AC (alternating current) into a
steady low-voltage DC (direct current)
usable by the computer and rated by the
number of watts it generates.

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 External Hardware Examples

7.- RAM

Alternatively called main memory, primary

memory, or system memory, RAM (random-
access memory) is a hardware device that
allows information to be stored and
retrieved on a computer.

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 External Hardware Examples

8.- Sound Card

Alternatively called an audio output

device, sound board, or audio card. A sound
card is an expansion card or IC for
producing sound on a computer that can be
heard through speakers or headphones.
Although the computer doesn't need a
sound card, it's included on every machine
as either in an expansion slot or built into
the motherboard (onboard).

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 External Hardware Examples

9.- Video Card

Is an expansion card that connects to a

computer motherboard. It is used to create
a picture on a display. More plainly, it's a
piece of hardware inside your computer that
processes images and video, some tasks
normally handled by the CPU. Video cards
are used by gamers in place of integrated
graphics due to their extra processing
power and video ram.

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 External Hardware Examples

10.- Hard Disk Drive

A hard disk drive (sometimes abbreviated

as a hard drive, HD, or HDD) is a non-
volatile data storage device. It is usually
installed internally in a computer, attached
directly to the disk controller of the
computer's motherboard.

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 What are Hardware upgrades?

A hardware upgrade is any new hardware better than that which it replaced or
additional hardware that improves performance.

An example of a common hardware upgrade is a RAM upgrade, where the user

increases the computer's total memory.
Another example is a video card upgrade, which is the act of removing an old
video card and replacing it with a newer, more powerful model.

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 A Guide to Upgrading your PC

1.- Upgrade your memory

If you’re having difficulty loading pages or switching among applications,
consider increasing or replacing your computer memory (RAM). RAM is where
your data is stored while you’re using it. More memory means you can store
more data. Many computer manufacturers put in the minimum amount of
memory, but there is usually room to add more memory modules.
If there isn’t room for more modules, you can replace your existing memory
with larger-capacity modules.

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 A Guide to Upgrading your PC

2.- Upgrade your storage drive

If your current storage drive is nearly full or if it is just too slow, upgrade it. If you
have a traditional hard drive (HDD), this is a good time to look into a solid state
drive (SSD). SSDs start up faster and are more reliable and durable than HDDs.
They also produce less heat when they run, a big plus if your computer fans are
having trouble keeping up with your hard drive. Compare the current capacity of
your storage drive with newer models. Both hard drives and solid state drive
manufacturers are always increasing the storage capacity of drives. You can get
a faster drive with more storage space relatively cheaply.

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 A Guide to Upgrading your PC

3.- Upgrade your graphics card

If you’re an avid gamer and you’re having trouble with lag or freezing graphics,
consider upgrading your graphics card. Unless a computer is built specifically for
gaming, manufacturers will frequently put in a low-end graphics card. If the rest
of your computer is functioning well, a graphics card upgrade can really improve
your gaming experience.

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 A Guide to Upgrading your PC

4.- Upgrade your processor

Although upgrading your processor (CPU) can improve the efficiency of your
computer, it can be quite involved. You need to make sure that your
motherboard and memory are compatible with the new processor. Also, check
that your current cooling system will accommodate the upgraded CPU.
To determine if a processor upgrade will help your computer, there are a variety
of third-party benchmark tests you can run. These tests will indicate if your CPU
is underpowered.
If you’re considering upgrading your processor, you might want to get a new
system instead.

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 A Guide to Upgrading your PC

5.- Upgrade your peripherals

Another way to give your system a boost is to upgrade some of your peripherals.
If you’re using an older monitor, a new one can improve graphics and readability
in all applications.
For gamers, a gaming mouse and keyboard can make a big difference in your
play. If you’re using a standard mouse and keyboard, even for occasional
gaming, upgrading to gaming-specific tools can enhance your play.
It’s not hard to upgrade some of your computer hardware and it can make a big
difference in the speed and responsiveness of your system.

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 Conclusions:

Every piece of computer hardware is a

physical object. It can be made of different
materials, have specific dimensions or
shape, and serve a variety of purposes.

However, as long as it’s tangible and a part

of your computer system, it’s considered
hardware.
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