APPENDIX A

Hardware
 TECHNOLOGY GUIDE OUTLINE

A.1 Introduction
A.2 Strategic Hardware Issues
A.3 Computer Hierarchy
A.4 Input and Output Technologies
A.5 The Central Processing Unit
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify the major hardware components of a
computer system.
• Discuss the strategic issues that link hardware
design to business strategy.
• Describe the hierarchy of computers according
to power and their respective roles.
• Differentiate the various types of input and
output technologies and their uses.
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES (continued)

• Describe the design and functioning of the

central processing unit.
• Discuss the relationships between
microprocessor component designs and
performance.
• Describe the main types of primary and
secondary storage.
 Hardware consists of:
• Central processing unit (CPU)

• Primary storage

• Secondary storage

• Input technologies

• Output technologies

• Communication technologies
 A.2 Strategic Hardware Issues
•How do organizations keep up with the rapid price and performance
advancements in hardware?
•How often should an organization upgrade its computers and storage
systems?
•Will upgrades increase personal and organizational productivity?

•How can organizations measure such increase?

•How should organizations determine the need for new hardware

infrastructures?
•How do organizations manage employees who can “work from anywhere?”
 A.3 Computer Hierarchy

• Supercomputers

• Mainframe Computers

• Midrange Computers
• Microcomputers
 A.4 Input and Output Technologies

Input technologies

Human data-entry

Source-data automation
 Various Human Input Devices
• Trackball
• Pointing Stick
• Digital Pen
• Web Camera
• Wii
• Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
• The Maltron Keyboard
 Multimedia Technology
• Multimedia technology

• Merges capabilities
 A.5 The Central Processing Unit
Central processing unit (CPU)

Microprocessor

– Control unit

– Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU)

– Registers
 Computer Memory
Two basic categories of computer memory:
– Primary Storage

– Secondary Storage
 Memory Capacity
• Bit

• Byte
 Hierarchy of Memory Capacity
• Kilobyte

• Megabyte

• Gigabyte

• Terabyte

• Petabyte

• Exabyte

• Zettabyte
 Main Types of Primary Storage
• Registers

• Random access memory (RAM)

• Cache memory

• Read-only memory (ROM)

 Secondary Storage
Secondary Storage

– Magnetic tape (sequential access)

– Magnetic disks (direct access)

– Optical storage devices

– Flash Memory devices

 Optical Storage Devices
Optical storage devices

– Compact Disk, Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)

– Digital Video Disk (DVD)

 Flash Memory Devices
Flash memory

Flash memory devices

Thumb drive