IB COMPUTER SCIENCE
Hardware
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this chapter, you
will be able to:
• describe information systems hardware;
• identify the primary components of a
computer and the functions they perform;
• explain the effect of the commoditization of
the personal computer
Hardware Defined
• Digital devices that you can touch:
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Desktop computers
Laptop computers
Mobile phones
Tablets
E-readers
Storage devices such as USB drives
Input devices such as keyboard, mouse, scanners, or stylus
Output devices such as printers and speakers
• Digital devices process electronic signals in 1’s and 0’s
– The physical parts of a computing device
Understanding Binary
• Binary:
Moore’s Law
• The number of
transistors on a
chip will double
every 2 years.
• Or…The amount
of computing
power will double
every 2 years.
PC Components
Components of a PC:
• Circuit board – also known as the motherboard that
holds the CPU, memory, and storage components
• CPU (central processing unit) – carries out the
commands sent to it by the software and returns
results
– Faster is better
• Memory – temporary working area called randomaccess memory (RAM)
– Applications are loaded into RAM to run faster
– When computer is powered off, the RAM is cleared
– Bigger is better
Chapter 2: Hardware
RAM
CPU and Water Block
Motherboard
Sound Card
Radiator and Cooling Fans
Removable Media
Hard Disk and
Solid State Drives
Graphics Card
Power Supply
Case with Wiring
PC Components continued
• Storage – longer, permanent storage of data
– Hard disk – permanently affixed to motherboard using
cables???
– Removable media – USB drives that can be connected
and removed for use on a different computer
– Bigger and faster is best
• Input/output devices – allows the addition of
devices for input and output purposes via ports
on the motherboard or today by USB
– Keyboard for entering data
– Printer for printing output
Other Computing Devices
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Portable computers
Smartphones
Tablets
Mobile devices such as fitness trackers
Medical devices such as a
pacemaker/defibrillator
• Everyday items – the Internet of Things
Types of Wiring
• Wire Type – Port Type – Connected Event
o CAT5 – Ethernet Port – Network/Internet to
Computer
o Serial ATA – SATA Port – Motherboard to Disk
Drives
o USB Cable – USB Port – Peripherals to Computer
o HDMI – HDMI Port – High quality graphic displays
(Monitors) to Computer
Sidebar: How can I make my
computer fast?
• RAM (Random-access Memory)
• CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Other Computing Devices
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Portable Computers
Smartphones
Tablet Computers
Mobile Devices
• Integrated Computing
• Transportation: Cars/Planes/Motorcycles
• Appliances: Refrigerator/Thermostats
Wired and Wireless Connectivity
• Wired devices have limited mobility because
they must be directly connected via a wire to
the network (either a closed network or the
internet)
• Wireless devices have portable connectivity
when paired with services like 3G/4G or Wi-fi
Commoditization of the Personal
Computer
• PC is a commodity
– Little differentiation between computers.
– Primary factor that controls their sale is the price.
– Hundreds of manufacturers world-wide create parts for
personal computers.
– Low profit margins on PCs push manufacturers to seek the
lowest-cost manufacturing.
• Apple
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No open standards.
Unique product, not easily copied.
Apple can charge more.
Differentiation strategy. (more in Chapter 7.)
Cloud Computing
• Makes powerful portable
computing possible by
utilizing cloud services
• Cloud services remove the
burden of storage and
operational ability from
your device
• Potential for security
issues as your documents
are stored on a server
E-Waste
• What is it?
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Cell phones
Remote Controls
Cables and Wires
Cartridge Games
Consumer Electronics
• Hazardous Waste
E-Waste Continued
• Who is it hurting?
o Effects on Global Communities
• What do we do with it?
• Where do we recycle?
o www.epa.gov
o www.earthday.org
Summary
• Described different types of hardware (more in
networking);
• Showed the primary components of a
computer and the functions they perform;
• Explained the effect of the commoditization of
the personal computer.