A closer look at hardware

By. Dana Finch

Q#1. What is a computer? What is the difference between a computer and a
computer system
A. An electronic device for storing, and processing data, typically in binary form,
according to instructions given to it in a variable program.
Q#2. Explain the differences between the following terms: input, output,
processing, hardware
A. input is information that is put into the computer output is information taken out
of the computer. Processing means to operate on computer data by means of a
program. And hardware is the computers wiring and other physical components of
a computer.
Q#3. What are peripherals? Give three examples.
A. Peripherals are keyboard, mouse, and touchscreen and so on. A computer is
more like hardware meaning the physical parts/part of a computer however a
computer system is more like the software. Software is a set of instructions that tell
the computer what to do. So basically the computer is like the body and the
computer system is like the brain telling the computer what to do.
Q#4. Create a web that shows how the components inside a computer connect to
one another. Begin your web with the motherboard in the center

Q#5. Think of both a computer and a person as information-processing machines.

Identify the four components of an information-processing device for both and
complete the following table:

Input is done with

Computer

Human

-Keyboard

-The brain

-Scanner
-Data collection devices
-Mouse
-Trackball
-MIRC
-USB

-Ears
-eyes
-nose
-hands

Storage is done with

-Computer memory
-Memory space
-Memory storage

-Brain

Information processing is
done by

-Business software
-Operating systems
-Networks
-Mainframes

-Brain

Output is done with

-Printer
-USB

-Brain
-Mouth

Q#6 B.
Hardware

Definition

CPU

A central
processing unit
is the hardware
with in a
computer
program be
preforming basic
arithmetical,
logical, and
input and output
operations of the
systems.

Image

Hard Drive

A high-capacity,
self-contained
storage device
containing a
read-write
mechanism plus
one or more
hard disks,
inside a sealed
unit.

RAM

A RAM device
allows data
items to be read
and written in
roughly the
same amount of
the time
regardless of the
order in which
data items are
accessed.

ROM

Computer that
stores programs
or data that
cannot be added
to, modified, or
deleted.

Expansion Slot

A place in a
computer where
an expansion
card can be
installed.

Video Card

A printed circuit
board controlling
output to display
a screen.

Sound Card

A device that
can be slotted
into a computer
to allow the use
of audio
components for
multimedia
applications.

BUS

Connects all the

internal
components of a
computer.

CD-ROM Drive

A drive thats is
connected to a
computer and on
which a CD-ROM
drive can be
played

Q#7.
Storage Device

Cost to Purchase
One Device

Total Storage
Capacity (in GB)

Cost for 1 GB of
Storage (divide

total cost by total #

of GBs.)

Hard Drive

$129

3072 GB

0.041

CD-ROM

$9.95 per 50

75.2 GB

0.132

DVD

$9.95 per 50

4.7 GB

0.472

USB Flash Drive

$69.99

128 GB

0.546

Q#8. Explain the difference between RAM and ROM.

A. RAM stands for Random Access to memory but ROM stands for Read-only
Memory. RAM is a form of data storage that can be accessed randomly at any time.
ROM is also a form of data storage however it cannot be easily altered or
reprogrammed.
Q#9. Describe the difference between operating systems and application software.
A. Application software is the software that lets us do something with our computer;
however operating software is the software your computer uses to process start-up
instructions.
Q#10. Discuss the common features of current graphical interfaces.
A. -A graphical representation of a calendar that allows you to enter the date in your
form by clicking on the desired date in the calendar.
-Folders are special blocks that allow you to: -Only display the fields you are
interested in
-Arrange the fields to best meet
your needs
-Toolbar: used to link non-structures data such as images, word processing
documents, or video to application data.