CHAPTER 3 – HARDWARE AND MOBILE DEVICES

Anatomy of a computer

Computer system hardware components includes input, processing, data storage and output
devices.

I. Processor also known as the central processing unit (CPU).

This is the part which instructions encoded in the computer are being processed of
executed.
II. Memory
In charge with the storing data and instructions that are to be processed and save.
III. Input / output device
These devices provide data that are to be processed and receive the results thereof.

Each component plays a role in the main function of a computer and serve as an important and
essential part of the whole. Computers are made to perform and complete instructions that the users
mandated. Completing instructions have 2 phases.

I. Instruction phase
A. Fetch instruction
Reads the next program instruction to be executed- with necessary data
B. Decode instruction
Decode instruction and passed it to appropriate processing execution unit
II. Execution phase
A. Execute instruction
By making arithmetic computations, logical comparison, bitshift or vector operation
B. Store results
Store results in temporary storage locations called registers in memory
Processors produces the what called clock speed. Clock speed as defined is a series of
electronic pulse at a predetermined rate. This is being measured by gigahertz (ghz). Every gigahertz is
equivalent to one billion cycle per second.

Processor families

Processor families are set of processors from the same manufacturer that have similar features
and capabilities. As of now, there are is a continuous innovation of processor families that had been
invented.

I. X86 family
Manufactured by intel, amd, and via tech. It is the world’s predominant personal computer
cpu processor.
II. Intel atom.
Brand of ultra-low-voltage processor that generate less heat than x86 chip. This require
less power. Mostly used by lightweight portable computers.
III. ARM
These are processors commonly found in mobile devices such as android, ios and other
operating systems. It created a design for a family of processors based on reduced
instruction set processing (risc)
Multiprocessing

This is a simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same time. Under this is the
coprocessor. Coprocessor is a separate processor from the CPU that execute specific instructions
while the CPU have its own. It can be internal or external in the CPU.

A multicore processor has two or more processing units which are called cores. It can execute
multiple instructions at the same time.

Parallel computing

It is the simultaneous execution of two or more instruction at the same time. Massively parallel
processing system are those that have thousands of processors. Under this, processors can have unity
in performing the same instruction or run independently. This is mostly used in modeling, simulating,
and analyzing large amounts of data.

Grid computing

Grid computing is the use of collection of computers, often owned by multiple individuals or
organizations, that work in coordinated manner to solve a common problem. It is low in cost compare
to parallel. It has a central server that acts as the leader and monitor of these several computers. This
work by assigning tasks to subunits.

Manufacturing processor

Under this is the what called integrated circuit (ic). Ic is set of electronic circuits on one small
piece of semiconductor material, normally silicon.it can be made very small up to a size of a fingernail.
Another is the semiconductor fabrication plant. It is the factory where integrated circuits are
manufactured; also called a fab or a foundry.

Memory

Main memory gives a working storage area of program and instructions. Bytes (b) which compose
of eight bits is the usual smallest measurement. There are different types of memory.

I. Random access memory (RAM)

It is where instructions or data can be temporary stored. Ram chips are naturally inside the
computer’s mother board. It contains millions of sensitive switches. It has different varieties like
SRAM or static random access memory and dram or the dynamic ram.
II. Cache memory
A high speed memory that a processor can access more rapidly than main memory. It holds
less data.

III. Read only memory (rom)

It is a non-volatile form of memory. This is for data and instructions that do not change.

Secondary data storage devices

 It is an option where in users can store larger data that exceeds the capacity of the main memory.
It offers the advantage of non-volatility, greater capacity and greater economy.

Magnetic secondary storage devices (magnetic tape)

It is a sequential secondary stage medium, now used primarily for storing backups of critical
organizational data in the event of a disaster.

Hard disc drive (HDD) is a direct access storage device used to store and retrieve data from
rapidly rotating disks coated with magnetic material.

Redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (raid) is a method of storing data that

generates extra bits of data from existing data, allowing the system to create a reconstruction map so
that if a hard drive fails, the system can rebuild lost data.

Virtual tapes are used for less frequently needed data. With virtual tape systems, data appears
to be stored entirely on tape cartridge, although some parts of it might actually be located on faster
hard disks.

Optical secondary stage devices

It is a form of storage devices that uses lasers to read and write data. Under this is the compact disc
read only memory CD-ROM. It is a common form of optical disc on which data cannot be modified once
it has been recorded. Another is the digital video disc (DVD). It looks like a cd but that can store more
data and access it more quickly.

Solid state secondary storage devices (SSD). It is stores data in memory chips rather than on hard
disk drives or optical media. One example of this is the USB flash drive. It requires less power and
provide faster access to data.

Enterprise storage options

Attached storage includes options that are directly connected to a single computer (tape, hard
disk, optical devices). From this, network attached storage (NAS) came out wherein hard disk storage
device set up with its own network address and provides file-based storage services to other devices
on the network.

Storage network areas (SAN) is a high-speed special purpose network that integrates different
types of data storage devices into a single storage systems that connects that to computing resources
across an entire organization. It can provide important capabilities such as disc mirroring, data backup
and restore, data archiving, migration and sharing.

Policy-based storage management is an automation of storage using previously defined policies.

Storage as a service

Data storage model where a data storage service provider renst space to individuals and
organizations. This approach makes sense especially for many organizations that are with wildly
fluctuating needs.
 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES

Stages of Data Processing

 There are two different stages of data processing:

 Stage 1 – Data Entry

o Human-readable data is converted into a machine-readable form

 Stage 2 – Data Input

o Transferring the machine-readable data into the system

Source Data Automation

 The process of capturing and editing data where it is originally created and in a form that can be
directly entered into a computer, thus ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Different Types of Input Devices

Common Personal Computer Input Devices

 Used for entry and input of data, such as characters, text, and basic commands.

 Keyboard
o An assemblage of systematically arranged keys by which a machine or device is
operated
 Mouse
o A device used to point to and click symbols, icons, menus, and commands on the
screen

Speech-Recognition Technology

 An input device that interprets human speech as an alternative means of providing data or
instructions.

Motion-Sensing Input Devices

 Typically used by video game makers in enhancing the controllers that enables user an
experience simulation of reality.

Scanning Devices

 Scanning devices capture image and character data that can convert monochrome or color
pictures, forms, text, and other images into machine-readable digits.

 Page Scanner – Automatic Scanning

 Handheld Scanner – Manual Scanning

 NeatReceipt Filing System

Optical Data Readers

 It is a special scanning device that captures visual information and translates the data into
digital information.

 Optical Mark Recognition - used for tasks such as grading tests and scanning forms.

 Optical Character Recognition - use reflected light to recognize and scan various
machine-generated characters

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Devices

 A system for reading banking data quickly. With MICR, data is placed on the bottom of a check
or other form using a special magnetic ink

Magnetic Stripe Cards

 A type of card that stores a limited amount of data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based
particles contained in a band on the card.

Chip Cards

 Credit cards with chips employ the EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) global standard for
enabling chip cards to work at point-of-sale systems and automated teller machines.

Smart Cards

 A credit card embedded with a computer chip that contains key consumer and account data that
require different terminals from those used for magnetic stripe cards.

Contactless Payment Cards

 Contains an embedded chip and antenna that enables the consumer to simply hold the card
close to a terminal to transfer the data necessary to make a payment, no PIN number needs to
be entered.

Point-of-Sale Devices

 A device used to capture data that is frequently used in retail operations to enter sales
information into computer systems to compute the total charges, including tax.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Devices

 Another type of special-purpose input/ output device, it is a terminal that bank customers use to
perform transactions with their bank accounts that comes in kiosks to support the business
process.
Bar-Code Scanners

 A bar-code scanner employs a laser scanner to read a bar-coded label and pass the data to a
computer.

 Stationary
 Handheld

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Devices

 A technology that employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast its unique identifier and
location to receivers.

Pen Input Devices

 By touching the screen with a pen input device, you can activate a command or cause the
computer to perform a task, enter handwritten notes, and draw objects and figures.

Touch Screens

 By touching certain parts of a touch-sensitive screen, you can start a program or trigger other
types of action. Touch screens can remove the need for a keyboard, which conserves space
and increases portability.

Different Types of Output Devices

Display Screens

 The display screen is a device used to show the output from the computer. A common resolution
is 2,040 horizontal pixels × 1,536 vertical pixels.

 The computer graphics card takes binary data from the CPU and translates it into an image you
see on your display device.

 The graphics processing unit (GPU), is a powerful processing chip that renders images on the
display screen
Printers and Plotters

 One of the most useful and common forms of output is called hard copy, which is simply paper
output from a printer.

 The speed of a printer is typically measured by the number of pages printed per minute (ppm).

 Inkjet printers – Can print 10 to 40 ppm for black-and-white output and 5 to 20 ppm for
color output

 Laser printers – Are generally faster than inkjet printers and can handle a heavier print
load volume.

3D Printers

 3D printing technology takes a three-dimensional model of an object stored on a computer and

sends it to a 3D printer to create the object using strands of a plastic filament or synthetic powder.

 Bioprinting is the use of 3D printers to build human parts and organs from actual human cells.

Digital Audio Players

 A device that can store, organize, and play digital music files in a compressed format.

 MP3 is the standard format for compressing a sound sequence.

E-Book Readers

 Electronic Book or E-Book is the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book. E-book
readers usually have the capacity to store thousands of books.

Types of Computer Systems

 Portable Computers

Wearable Computers

 An electronic device capable of storing and processing data that is incorporated into a person’s
clothing or personal accessories.

 Health-tracking wristbands
 Smart watches

Smartphones

 Smartphones employ a combination chipset called a “system on a chip,” which includes

processor cores, RAM and ROM memory, interface controllers and voltage regulators.

Mobile Computers

 Laptop

o Smartphones employ a combination chipset called a “system on a chip,” which includes

processor cores, RAM and ROM memory, interface controllers and voltage regulators.

 Tablet

o Are portable, lightweight computers that can come with or without a keyboard and allow
you to roam the office, home, or factory floor, carrying the device like a clipboard
 Non-Portable Computers

Thin Client

 A low-cost, centrally managed computer with no internal or external attached drives for data
storage. These computers have limited capabilities and perform only essential applications, so
they remain “thin” in terms of the client applications they include.

Desktop Computers

 Are single-user computer systems that are highly versatile. Desktop computers can provide
sufficient computing power, memory, and storage for most business computing tasks.

Nettop

 A very small, inexpensive desktop computer typically used for Internet access, email, accessing
Web-based applications, document processing, and audio/video playback.

Workstations

 Are more powerful than personal computers but still small enough to fit on a desktop. These are
typically more expensive than the average desktop computer.

Servers, Mainframes, and Supercomputers

Server

 A computer employed by many users to perform a specific task. It usually has special features
that make it more suitable for operating in a multiuser environment.

 Scalability - the ability to increase the processing capability of a computer system so that it can
handle more users, more data, or more transactions in a given period.

Mainframe Computer

 A large, powerful computer shared by dozens or even hundreds of concurrent users connected
to the machine over a network.

Supercomputer

 Are the most powerful computers with the fastest processing speed and highest performance.
 Server Farms, Data Centers, and Green Computing

Server Farm

 A facility that houses a large number of servers in the same room, where access to the machines
can be controlled and authorized support personnel can more easily manage and maintain the
servers.

Virtual Server

 A method of logically dividing the resources of a single physical server to create multiple logical
servers, each acting as its own dedicated machine.

Container

 A way for software developers and hardware managers to package applications and software
components into a well-defined, compact envelope that can be used to more easily manage it,
including moving it across various hosts.

Blade Server

 A server that houses many individual computer motherboards that include one or more
processors, computer memory, computer storage, and computer network connections.

Data Center

 A climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of buildings that houses the computer

hardware that delivers an organization’s data and information services.

Green Computing

 A program concerned with the efficient and environmentally responsible design, manufacture,
operation, and disposal of IS-related products.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)

 A system that enables purchasers to evaluate, compare, and select electronic products based
on a set of environmental criteria.