Hardware and Multimedia

1. Chapter 4 Hardware and Multimedia

2. Personal Computers (PCs) • PCs are computers that can be: • Used by individuals at home, work, or school • Desktop models or portable laptop models • Connected to a server in a network

3. What are operating systems? • Operating systems enable computers to run software and perform basic tasks.

4. PC Operating Systems • One of the principal differences among computers is the operating system. • Most personal computers use Windows or Macintosh (Mac OS) operating systems. • Windows and Mac OS operating systems are not compatible.

5. What is input? • Input is any information put into a computer.

6. Input Devices • Common input devices are: • Keyboards and keypads • Mice, trackballs, and touchpads • Microphones, digital recorders, synthesizers, and musical keyboards • Digital still cameras, digital camcorders, and Webcams • Graphics tablets and scanners • Game controllers

7. Output Devices • Output is any information that a computer produces. Common output devices are: • CRT or LCD monitors • Touch screens, plasma displays, LED displays, and projectors • Ink-jet or laser printers • Speakers

8. Storage Devices • Digital storage devices allow you to save your work. Common storage devices are: • Hard drives, which are built in the computer • Removable storage disks • CDs • DVDs • floppy disks • Zip disks • memory cards

9. Processing Components • Processing includes all the calculations and other operations a computer performs. It depends on: • Microprocessors, or chips • A central processing unit (CPU) • Random-access memory (RAM)

10. Computer Networks • In order to exchange files and share resources, computers: • Require special input and output devices • Must be part of a network, such as: • The Internet • Local area networks (LANs) • Wide area networks (WANs)

11. Connecting to Networks • Computers can be linked to the Internet or a network through: • A dial-up or broadband connection using a modem • A network interface card (NIC) • A router