Exploring Computer Hardware E-Book

Kevin Wilson

• Herausgeber: Packt Publishing
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 156

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

This course takes you on a journey through the intricate world of computer hardware, beginning with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of computing. Starting with an overview of computers and microcomputers, you’ll explore the core components that make up these machines, including embedded systems, software, and peripherals. Each chapter is designed to build your understanding of how these elements work together to create the technology we rely on daily.
As you progress, the course delves into more complex topics like computer networks, the Internet, and cloud computing. You’ll gain insights into how hardware interacts with software and the critical role of security in maintaining the integrity of systems. Additionally, the course covers binary numbers, Boolean logic, and other essential concepts that underpin modern computing, offering a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a thorough knowledge of not just the hardware components but also the data processes like encryption, compression, and storage that ensure efficient and secure computing. Whether you're a beginner or someone with some background in technology, this course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and understand the complex world of computer hardware.

Leseprobe

Exploring Computer Hardware

2024 Edition

Kevin Wilson

Exploring Computer Hardware 2024 Ed

Copyright © 2024 Elluminet Press

This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Exempted from this legal reservation are brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis or material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Copyright Law of the Publisher’s location, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from the Publisher. Permissions for use may be obtained through Rights Link at the Copyright Clearance Centre. Violations are liable to prosecution under the respective Copyright Law.

Trademarked names, logos, and images may appear in this book. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, logo, or image we use the names, logos, and images only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark.

The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights.

While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.

iStock.com/golibo, PeopleImages, ymgerman. Photo 130859010 © Kaspars Grinvalds - Dreamstime.com. Photo 103557713 © Konstantin Kolosov - Dreamstime.com. Yuri Arcurs via Getty Images

Publisher: Elluminet Press

Director: Kevin Wilson

Lead Editor: Steven Ashmore

Technical Reviewer: Mike Taylor, Robert Ashcroft

Copy Editors: Joanne Taylor, James Marsh

Proof Reader: Steven Ashmore

Indexer: James Marsh

Cover Designer: Kevin Wilson

For detailed information about how to locate your book’s resources, go to

www.elluminetpress.com/resources

Contents

The Computer

Basic Peripherals

The Micro Computer

Desktop

Desktop: All-in-one

Laptop

Netbook

Chromebook

Tablet Computers

Hybrids

Macs and PCs

Mainframe Computer

Super Computer

Embedded Systems

Decoding the Jargon

Computer Specs

Printer Specs

Computer Software

Device Drivers

Operating Systems

Apps and Applications

Utilities

Hardware Components

Types of Hardware

Internal Hardware

External Peripherals

Primary Storage Devices

Random Access Memory (RAM)

DRAM

SDRAM

DDR SDRAM

Reading and Writing Data

SRAM

Cache Memory

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Secondary Storage

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Solid State Drive (SSD)

RAID

CD/DVD/Blu-ray Drive

Writeable Optical Disks

Memory Cards

USB Flash Drives

External Hard Disk

NAS Drives

CPU / Processor

Types of CPU

Inside the CPU

Other Internal Components

Sound Card

Video Card

Network Cards

Capture Cards

Expansion Slots

The Motherboard

Form Factor

Trusted Platform Module

The Chipset

North Bridge, South Bridge & PCH

CPU Socket

The BIOS

UEFI

System on a Chip

Power Supplies

Cooling Systems

Computer Peripherals

Printers

Inkjet Printer

Laser Printer

Other Peripherals

Keyboards

Mouse

Touchscreens

Monitors

Speakers

Scanners

Webcams

Data Ports

USB

USB C

Ethernet

FireWire

ThunderBolt

eSATA

Video Ports

DVI

HDMI

VGA

Component Video

Composite Video

Audio Ports

1/8” (3.5mm) Phono

1/4” (6.35mm) Phono

RCA Audio

SPDIF

Computer Networks

Local Area Networks (LANs)

Virtual LAN (VLAN)

Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)

Wide Area Networks (WANs)

Peer-to-peer Network

Client-server Network

Network Topologies

Star

Bus

Ring

Ethernet

Cellular Networks

WiFi

Dual Band or Single Band?

WiFi Extenders

Wireless Standards

Wireless Security

WiFi Channels

Wireless Topologies

Infrastructure

Point to Point

Network Layers

The Internet

Internet Connections

Modems

DSL

Fibre Optic

Cable

Satellite

3G/4G/5G

Web Servers and DNS

DHCP Servers

IP Addresses

TCP/IP

TCP/IP Model

Ports and Sockets

Packet Switching

Packets

What is a URL?

HTML

Where are the HTML Files Stored?

Cloud Computing

Introduction

Types of Service

Software-as-a-service or (SaaS)

Platform-as-a-service or (PaaS)

Infrastructure-as-a-service or (IaaS)

Virtual Private Networks

Internet Security

Computer Fundamentals

Representing Data

ASCII code

Unicode

Binary Numbers

Convert Binary to Decimal

Convert Decimal to Binary

Binary Addition

Binary Multiplication

Binary Shift

Signed and Unsigned Binary

One’s Complement

Two’s Complement

Binary Fractions

Fixed Point

Floating Point

Convert Binary Fraction to Decimal

Hexadecimal Numbers

Convert Decimal to Hexadecimal

Convert Hexadecimal to Decimal

Boolean Logic

AND Gate

OR Gate

XOR Gate

NOT Gate

NAND Gate

NOR Gate

Putting it Together

Harvard Architecture

Von Neumann Architecture

Fetch Execute Cycle

Instruction Sets

RISC

CISC

Data Compression

Lossy & Lossless

Huffman Coding

Run Length Encoding

Data Encryption

Sorting Algorithms

Bubble Sort

Merge Sort

Data Storage Units

Data Transfer Rates

Video Resources

Using the Videos

File Resources

About the Author

With over 20 years’ experience in the computer industry, Kevin Wilson has made a career out of technology and showing others how to use it. After earning a master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, and multimedia systems, Kevin has held various positions in the IT industry including graphic & web design, programming, building & managing corporate networks, and IT support.

He serves as senior writer and director at Elluminet Press Ltd, he periodically teaches computer science at college, and works as an IT trainer in England while researching for his PhD. His books have become a valuable resource among the students in England, South Africa, Canada, and in the United States.

Kevin’s motto is clear: “If you can’t explain something simply, then you haven’t understood it well enough.” To that end, he has created the Exploring Tech Computing series, in which he breaks down complex technological subjects into smaller, easy-to-follow steps that students and ordinary computer users can put into practice.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all the staff at Luminescent Media & Elluminet Press for their passion, dedication and hard work in the preparation and production of this book.

To all my friends and family for their continued support and encouragement in all my writing projects.

To all my colleagues, students and testers who took the time to test procedures and offer feedback on the book

Finally thanks to you the reader for choosing this book. I hope it helps you gain a better understanding of computer hardware.

The Computer

A computer is an electronic device that operates under the control of various programs. These programs, often referred to as software, enable a computer to perform a wide range of tasks.

A typical computer usually has a standard set of peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse and monitor. On a desktop computer, these peripherals are connected to a box that houses all the internal hardware, such as the CPU, RAM and Hard disks.

These days, there are many different types of computer, and they range from the smallest smart phone or tablet computer, to large super computers that fill entire buildings.

The most common ones you’ll find are micro computers, built on the micro processor.

Have a look at the video demos to help you understand. Open your web browser and navigate to the following website:

elluminetpress.com/hw-cmp

On the back of a standard computer case, you’ll find various ports. This is where the peripherals such as the printer, monitor, keyboard and mouse connect.

On the front of the case you’ll usually find the power button. On some machines, you’ll also find a few USB ports, a headphone jack and a card reader. You may also find a CD/DVD drive.

Laptops have various different ports scattered along the edges of the device depending on the model. On most laptops, you’ll find a few USB ports, HDMI to connect an external monitor, an ethernet port and a headphone jack.

Basic Peripherals

The most common peripherals are:

Monitors Printers Keyboards Mice Scanners Cameras

These are known as external peripherals, as they sit outside the case (the CPU), and connect to your computer via USB cable or similar. External peripherals can be divided into input devices or output devices.

Other types of computer have similar peripherals, except they may be integrated into the device such as a laptop or tablet.

On a laptop, the keyboard, mouse/trackpad, and monitor are all integrated into the device - although you can attach these externally.

Similarly with a tablet. Although some peripherals are different, such as a touch screen instead of a mouse/trackpad. Also some tablets have external detachable keyboards.

Some tablets, have on-screen keyboards and some have limited data ports for additional peripherals.

These devices are designed for portability, so they only feature the essentials.

The Micro Computer

A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor that has become commonly known as a PC or Personal Computer. PCs now days come in various different incarnations depending on their function; desktops for power, larger hard disc, memory and larger screens or laptops and tablets for their portability.

Desktop

The traditional desktop computer with a monitor, computer case, keyboard and mouse. Can either be a Mac or a PC.

These machines are usually quite big and have the most computing power. They are aimed at gamers, graphic designers, video editors, office users and professional users. They are ideal with large screens, plenty of computing power and storage space.

Desktop computer sales for home users have been steadily declining in favour of laptops and tablet computers.

Desktop computers still seem to have a place in an office environment, however this seems to be slowly changing toward a cloud based environment where data is stored on the cloud and accessed using laptops or tablets.

Desktop: All-in-one

This type of desktop is virtually identical to the traditional desktop we talked about above, except the computer case has been done away with.

Instead, all the internal hardware (processor, RAM, hard disc and video card) from the computer case, is integrated into the back of the screen itself.

This makes the whole system easier to set up, as all you need to do is plug in your keyboard and mouse, hook it up to the power and you’re ready to go.

Some of these systems have touch screens built in, allowing you to tap icons on the screen instead of using a mouse.

Apple’s iMac was the first to use this format, but many other manufacturers have copied this design.

Laptop

A typical laptop computer, also sometimes called a notebook. This one is a laptop running Windows 10.

Laptops usually have a similar spec to their desktop counterparts, however there are some compromises due to space. They tend to have less RAM and run slightly slower than desktops. The screens are usually between 12” and 17”.

They can run all the software and apps that are available on a desktop and come with Windows 10/11 or MacOS.

The major advantage of a laptop, it its portability. The fact that you can use it in any room, sit on the sofa and surf the web, talk to your friends. Or do some college work in a coffee shop or library.

With laptops, you can plug in various peripherals such as a mouse as well as an external screen or projector. This makes them ideal for those who do public speaking, teaching/lecturing, and presentation.

Some laptops nowadays even include touch screens where you can navigate around the screen by tapping icons and menus rather than using a mouse or trackpad.

Netbook

Netbooks are small cut down versions of laptops. They have less RAM, HDD space and are designed to be small, lightweight and inexpensive which makes them great for carrying around.

The screens are usually about 10”. Notice the size compared to the ball point pen in the photograph.

Netbooks can run Windows 10/11, some form of Linux or even Chrome OS.

These are great for working on the go or travelling around. They can run traditional software such as Microsoft Office and work well when browsing the web, social media or keeping in touch via email.

These have limited power, so anything more processor intensive such as Creative Suite or some types of games will struggle to run on these machines.

These machines also have limited storage space, so if you have a lot of music, documents, videos, or photographs, you’ll quite quickly run out of space.

Most of these machines can be used with some kind of cloud storage such as OneDrive or GoogleDrive.

Chromebook

A ChromeBook is a laptop or tablet that runs an operating system called Chrome OS and uses Google’s Chrome Web Browser to run web apps.

At its core, Chrome OS is a linux based operating system and will run on hardware with either Intel/AMD x86/64 or ARM processors.

ChromeBooks are designed to be used online, meaning you must be connected to the internet all the time whether you are at home, the office, in school, college, the library, or generally out and about. Without an internet connection, your ChromeBook can still function but will be limited at best.

Traditional software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and many types of games do not run on these machines. However, Google have developed their own alternatives. Instead of Microsoft Office, you’d use Google Docs.

You can also download countless apps from the Google Play Store for all your other software needs from social media and communication, to getting your work done.

Tablet Computers

Tend to be a cut down compact version designed with touch screens. This one is running Windows 10 in desktop mode.

Examples of these come in the form of iPad, Microsoft Connect Tablets, Surface Tablets, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Amazon Fire and many more.

These are ideal for travelling and carrying about as they are light weight and can be stored in your bag easily.

They have countless apps available from the app store that you can download directly onto your tablet. These range from games to cut down versions of Microsoft Office and basic graphics packages. They are also good for browsing the web, social media, making video calls and keeping in touch using email.

Some tablets can even run traditional software, if they are running Windows 10/11.

Hybrids

Hybrids are a cross between laptop computers and tablets. An example of a hybrid is Microsoft’s surface tablet.

These can function as a laptop and have detachable keyboards. Once you detach the keyboard you can use the device in tablet mode, attach the keyboard and you can use it as a laptop.

These devices aren’t usually as powerful as traditional laptops and are usually smaller and light weight.

They also have countless apps available from the app store that you can download directly onto your hybrid. These range from games to cut down versions of Microsoft Office and basic graphics packages. They are also good for browsing the web, social media, making video calls and keeping in touch using email.

Some hybrids can even run traditional software, if they run Windows 10/11.

Macs and PCs

There are primarily two types of computers available in most retail stores: Apple’s Macs and Windows-based PCs. The deciding factor between purchasing a Mac or a PC often hinges on various aspects, one of which is price. While Macs tend to have a higher starting price compared to many PCs, the cost for both categories varies broadly. High-end, expensive PCs exist just as lower-cost Macs, such as the Mac Mini, are available. Therefore, one’s choice might depend on their budget and the specific computing needs they have.

While Apple is known for its strict guidelines for its App Store on iOS devices, macOS, the operating system for Macs, operates more openly. Users can download and run any macOS compatible software, regardless of whether it’s Apple-approved or not. However, due to the larger market share of Windows, there might be a broader range of software options available for PCs.

Contrary to popular belief, while Macs are widely used in creative industries, this doesn’t preclude PCs from serving the same purpose. Many creative professionals utilize PCs in their work, and certain high-end PCs are specifically designed with creative applications in mind.

Similarly, despite PCs’ reputation as being business-oriented, Macs have found significant adoption within various businesses, thanks to comprehensive office applications, like Microsoft Office, which run smoothly on both operating systems.

In the realm of gaming, PCs traditionally hold an edge with a broader game library and superior hardware compatibility, making them the go-to choice for avid gamers. However, Mac gaming has been progressively improving, albeit it’s still often outmatched by the range of options available to PC gamers.

Usage scenarios can vary greatly, and both Macs and PCs can serve a range of functions. Casual users might prefer a lower-cost PC or a Mac, depending on personal preferences. For those extensively using their computers for activities like photography, video making, watching movies, listening to music, typing documents, internet browsing, and email, the choice between a Mac and a PC might depend on factors such as budget, required software, and comfort with the user interface. Ultimately, it comes down to understanding your individual needs and preferences when choosing between a Mac and a PC.

Mainframe Computer