Mrs.

Laidley Extra Credit Assignment – Computer Hardware Unit December 2010

Student Name: _____________________________

Period: ___

PLEASE TYPE THE ANSWERS RIGHT INTO THIS DOCUMENT, PRINT IT, AND HAND IN THE
PRINTED DOCUMENT TO ME IN CLASS BY THE DUE DATE POSTED ON EDLINE!! YOU CANNOT
UPLOAD THE ANSWERS BACK TO EDLINE!

A. In your own words, answer the following questions. You can research the answers in our lesson
materials or on the internet.

1) Explain the difference between an input device, a processor, a storage device, and an output
device. Also, give an example of each.

An input device is a device that lets you command the computer and it lets you put information
in the computer system. An example of this is a mouse. A processor is a chip that processes all
information like software. A storage device stores all your computer information like documents
that you typed up or photos you downloaded. An output device is a device that gives out your
information. An example of this is a printer. It gives you your information that you printed.

2) Explain the differences between a microcomputer, a minicomputer, and a mainframe computer.

Include all the details regarding size, number of users, types of organizations that generally use
each, as well as the main architecture of each of these computers.

3) How do you think computers have contributed to our everyday lives? Can you give 3 examples
where computers have a positive impact on our lives? Can you give one example where
computers have a negative impact on our lives?

4) Can you identify 3 uses of computers that have improved our lives in the community? Like
medical/healthcare field, transportation, community services, public security, etc.
 Mrs. Laidley Extra Credit Assignment – Computer Hardware Unit December 2010

B. Match the Term on the left to its Definition on the right.

Term Definition
a. Computer 1. Tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched
b. Processing 2. Intangible instructions that tell the computer what to do
c. Program 3. A hardware device that allows the computer to accept data
d. Hardware 4. An electronic device that accepts data, performs computations, and makes
logical decisions according to instructions and data that have been given to it
and produces meaningful information in a form that is useful to humans
e. Input 5. A piece of hardware that can store and read data in a random fashion,
without having to read all the data that physically precedes it.
f. Input device 6. Activity that takes place inside the processor, where detailed instructions tell
the computer what should be done to the data to produce the desired
information
g. Output 7. A series of detailed step-by-step instructions that tell the computer precisely
what actions to perform
h. Output device 8. A hardware device that permits the storage of data
i. Internet 9. Data that enters the computer
j. Processor 10. A hardware device that processes data into meaningful information
k. System program 11. A hardware device that reports processed information in a form that
humans can understand
l. Software 12. A piece of hardware that can store and read data in a one-after-the-other
fashion. In other words, it has to read through all the data physically
preceding the data that it wants to access.
m. Storage device 13. A physically structured network of computers around the world
n. Sequential memory 14. Useful information that leaves the computer
o. Random access memory 15. A program that controls the computer’s circuitry and hardware devices
Mrs. Laidley Extra Credit Assignment – Computer Hardware Unit December 2010

C. Which country released the fastest computer in the world in October 2010? What are the
specifications of this computer? How fast is it?

D. What is the main difference between a Mac computer and a PC? What is the latest Mac
computer released? What are its specifications? (in other words, what is the processor, how
much RAM, how much flash storage?)

E. Google announced that they have been building robotic cars that have been driving themselves
all around San Francisco, back in October 2010. Research and write a paragraph below about
the Google cars.