Chapter 03 – Computer Hardware
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3 Computer Hardware
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
Chapter 3: Computer Hardware reviews history, trends, and developments in microcomputer, midrange, and
mainframe computer systems; basic computer system concepts; and the major types of technologies used in
peripheral devices for computer input, output, and storage.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Understand the history and evolution of computer hardware.
2. Identify the major types and uses of microcomputer, midrange, and mainframe computer systems.
SUMMARY
• Computer Systems. Major types of computer systems are summarized in Figure 3.3 . Microcomputers are used as
personal computers, network computers, personal digital assistants, technical workstations, and information
• The Computer Systems Concept. A computer is a system of information processing components that perform
• Peripheral Devices. Refer to Figures 3.14 and 3.22 to review the capabilities of peripheral devices for input,
output, and storage discussed in this chapter.
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KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
1. Binary representation ():
2. Central processing unit ():
3. Computer system ():
A computer system consists of input and output devices, primary and secondary storage devices, the central
processing unit, and other peripheral devices.
4. Computer terminal ():
5. Cycles per second ():
Denoted as Hz, cycles per second is a measure of the speed of the computer’s timing circuits or internal clock.
6. Direct access ():
A method of storage where each storage cluster has a unique address and can be individually accessed in
7. Graphical user interface ():
A design approach that enables users to interact with a computer by manipulating images or “icons” that
represent objects or actions.
8. Information appliance ():
9. Magnetic disks ():
Data storage technology that uses magnetised spots on metal or plastic disks.
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b. Hard disk ():
A secondary storage medium consisting of metal disks covered with a magnetic recording surface. It holds
c. RAID (Redundant array of independent disks ) ():
A RAID array comprises two or more interconnected microcomputer hard disk drives and their controllers.
10. Magnetic stripe ():
A strip of magnetic tape embedded in a plastic card and widely used for credit/debit cards and identification
cards. These stripes hold up to 200 bytes of information.
11. Magnetic tape ():
12. Mainframe system ():
This category comprises large, fast, and powerful computer systems. Processing speeds range up to billions of
13. Microcomputer ():
Also called a “Personal Computer” or “PC”, these are small computers, ranging in size from a “computer on a
chip” to a small typewriter-size unit. These networked workstations are critical to individuals and business
professionals.
14. Midrange system ():
Larger, more powerful, and more expensive than most microcomputers but are smaller, less powerful, and less
15. Minicomputer ():
This category comprises mid-range computer that might be used as a high-end workstation for computationally
16. MIPS ():
An acronym standing for Millions of Instructions per Second. This is a way of measuring relative CPU speed
(see also cycles per second – measured in MHz)
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18. Network computer ():
19. Network server ():
20. Network terminal ():
A terminal that depends on network servers for its software and processing power.
21. Off-line ():
22. Online ():
Pertains to equipment or devices under control of the central processing unit or that are connected to a network.
23. Optical disks ():
A storage device using a laser to read tiny spots on a plastic disk. The disks are currently capable of storing
billions of characters of information.
25. Peripherals ():
26. Pointing devices ():
Devices which enables end users to move a cursor on the display screen.
27. Primary storage unit ():
The main (or internal) memory of a computer. Usually in the form of volatile semiconductor storage.
28. Processing speed ():
see also “cycles per second” and “MIPS”.
a. Millisecond ():
29. RFID ():
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30. Secondary storage ():
External or auxiliary storage device that supplements the primary storage of a computer. Examples include
31. Semiconductor memory ():
Microelectronic storage circuitry etched on tiny chips of silicon or other semiconducting material.
b. Semiconductor Memory – ROM ():
Also known as firmware; a memory chip that permanently stores instructions and data that are programmed
32. Sequential access ():
Sequential access describes a sequential method of storing and retrieving data from a file. Access times for any
33. Speech recognition ():
Direct conversion of spoken data into digital characters. As this technology develops, it promises to be the most
natural way to communicate with computers. Current accuracy rates range up to 95%.
34. Storage capacity ():
Units used for storage capacity and data: bits (b), bytes (B), kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB),
terabytes (TB), Petabyte (PB).
a. Bit – “b” ():
A contraction of “binary digit”. It can have the value of either 0 or 1.
b. Byte – “B” ():
A sequence of adjacent binary digits operated on as a unit and usually shorter than a computer word. In
many computer systems, a byte is a grouping of eight bits. In the ASCII coding scheme, this would
represent a single character, number, or symbol. Fun fact: a “nibble” is equal to four bits or half a byte.
c. Kilobyte – “K” or “KB” ():
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35. Supercomputer ():
This category comprises the most powerful computer systems. They are designed to solve massive
36. Volatility ():
Memory (RAM) that loses its contents when electrical power is interrupted.
37. Workstation computer ():
These computers are high-end microcomputers which support processor intense applications such as
mathematical computing, graphics rendering, computer aided design (CAD), and powerful analytical software.
ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUIZ
Q.
A.
Key Term
Q.
A.
Key Term
1
Computer system
28
Moore’s law
2
Central processing unit
29
Speech recognition
3
Cycles per second
30
Optical scanning
4
Information appliance
31
Processing speed
5
Primary storage unit
32
Millisecond
6
Secondary storage
33
Kilobyte
7
Peripherals
34
Computer terminal
8
Online
35
Storage capacity
9
Offline
36
Workstation computer
10
Binary representation
37
Bit
11
Graphical user interface
38
Terabyte
12
Microcomputer
39
ROM
13
Midrange system
40
14
Floppy disk
41
Volatility
15
Hard disk
42
Direct access
16
Network computer
43
Sequential access
17
RAID
44
Semiconductor memory
18
Network terminal
45
Magnetic disks
19
Network server
46
Magnetic tape
20
Supercomputer
47
Optical disks
21
Magnetic stripe
48
Microsecond
22
Nanosecond
49
Picosecond
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23
Gigabyte
50
Byte
24
Pointing devices
51
RFID (radio frequency identification)
25
Minicomputer
52
Megabytes
26
Mainframe system
53
Petabyte
27
MIPS
ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What trends are occurring in the development and use of the major types of computer systems?
Computers are becoming physically smaller, faster, with more memory, cheaper, more reliable, and user
friendly. They are increasingly being connected via telecommunications links throughout organizations.
2. Will the convergence of PDAs, subnotebook PCs, and cell phones produce an information appliance that
will make all of those categories obsolete? Why or why not?
There is no doubt that the convergence of PDAs, sub-notebook PCs, and cell phones will produce an
3. Review the Real World Challenge introduced in the chapter. Since the proof–of-delivery (POD)
documents are in essence the only binding evidence that products were delivered safe, sound, and on
time, what are some of the issues that customers may raise when Budway proposes to do away with this
document? What are some strategies Budway can use to assuage any concerns?
Changing from a physical document to an electronic document is mostly a matter of “getting used to the idea”.
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4. Do you think that information appliances like PDAs will replace personal computers (PCs) in business
applications? Explain.
If PDAs continue to grow in power, storage capacity, and in ability to connect with peripheral devices (via
Bluetooth, for example), then there is no reason they can’t replace personal computers.
5. Are networks of PCs and servers making mainframe computers obsolete? Explain.
Mainframe sales continue to trend upward. Reasons given include increased global demand for computing
6. Consider the Real World Solution discussed in the chapter. How are the challenges encountered by a
small company, such as Budway, different from those faced by larger enterprises? How was it possible
for Budway to create a superior solution at a lower cost than some of the higher–end systems used by
major companies in their industry?
One challenge of a smaller firm is not having as much investment capital as larger firms. This means doing
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7. What are several trends that are occurring in computer peripheral devices? How do these trends affect
business uses of computers?
Trends
• “plug and play” capability
• standardized connectivity (USB, Firewire, Bluetooth, WiFi)
8. What are several important computer hardware developments that you expect to happen in the next 10
years? How will these affect the business use of computers?
Developments:
• Hardware devices will increase in speed and capacity.
• Hardware devices will decrease in size and cost.
Effects on Business:
• Real-time data acquisition
• Automated data acquisition
9. What processor, memory, magnetic disk storage, and video display capabilities would you require for a
personal computer that you would use for business purposes? Explain your choices.
Note: all business computing requirements lists should include data backup and recovery hardware and
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Requirements:
1. Dual core processor or greater
Explanation:
1. Multi-core processes allow the operating system to free up more CPU cycles for computationally
2. The monitor is the desktop today. A large monitor enables multi-tasking without placing undo
demands on the user’s own memory. The user can simply see all the various tasks at hand and return to
them easily. Monitors have increased in size but have decreased in price, desktop footprint, and heat
production, so they are simple to incorporate into an existing physical workspace. For this reason,
multiple monitors have become increasingly common.
5. A reliable, internal 1.5 TB SATA drive costs less than $150. As of this writing, this is the lowest cost
per GB available. Video, image, and scientific data storage could easily require a drive this large.
Without looking too far into the future, 500 GB would satisfy all the common business applications.
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10. What other peripheral devices and capabilities would you want to have for your business PC? Explain
your choices.
Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
All computers should connect to a UPS. This helps prevent damage due to variances in power supply, preserves
3
This manual’s author uses about 10 TB of hard drive space including backup drives. This accommodates his digital
image, video, audio, book, and database projects.
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Ergonomic I/O devices
An ergonomic mouse, keyboard, desk, and chair all contribute to comfort, productivity, and safety.
Auto-feed Digital Scanner
functional output device. For example, file management activities lend themselves more to icons and spatial
representation than characters.
Video camera
Video is to word processing what word processing was to typewriters thirty years ago. Video has numerous
applications including instruction, entertainment, personal communications, feedback, and security.
without the need for pop-ups, audio feedback, or incessant toggling between windows.
Wireless peripheral devices
Wireless technologies enable both data and power connections. Wireless devices are easier to set up and take
down. They also reduce desktop and floor clutter.
Wireless router
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ANSWERS TO ANALYSIS EXERCISES
1. Hardware costs
a. Prepare a spreadsheet summarizing this pricing information and showing the cost from each supplier of
b. Prepare a set of PowerPoint slides summarizing your results. Include a discussion of the warranty and
servicing contract options offered by each supplier.
See Data Solutions Disk for a sample presentation [Chapter 03 – Solutions Ex 1.ppt]
2. Price and Performance Trends for Computer Hardware
a. Create a spreadsheet based on the figures above and include a new row for each component, showing the price
per unit of capacity (cost per megahertz of speed for microprocessors and cost per megabyte of storage for
RAM and hard disk devices).
See Data Solutions Disk for a sample spreadsheet [Chapter 03 – Solutions Ex 2.xls]
c. Write a short paper discussing the trends you found. How long do you expect these trends to continue?
Why?
Findings: The trends for all three elements, CPU, RAM, and hard drives all lead drastically downward. This
trend is loosely described by “Moore’s Law.” We can attribute this trend to improved technology, increasing
volume, and to consumer demand that reflects more than just price sensitivity but a growing market of
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d. Prepare a summary presentation outlining the points from your paper (above). Be sure to link your Excel
chart into the PowerPoint presentation so that it automatically updates when any data change in the
spreadsheet.
3. Can Computers Think Like People?
Note: For decades, computer scientists have promised “thinking machines” within a “few years”. The useful
business application of the Turing test provides an ironic twist to this history.
Over the last forty years, business needs have far outstripped computing resources and capabilities. The useful
business application of the Turing test provides a delightful irony to this history.
a) Aside from those mentioned above, in what applications might businesses find it useful to distinguish
between a human and a computer?
Just about any security application where there’s a risk that software might try to fool the security system into
b) Describe a Turing test that a visually impaired person but not a computer might pass.
c) Search the Internet for the term “captcha” and describe its strengths and weaknesses.
Captcha is an acronym for “Completely Automated public Turning test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”,
4. Radio Frequency Identification
a. How would you feel if your university used RFID tags embedded in student IDs to replace the magnetic
swipe strip? On a campus, RFID tags might be used to control building access, manage computer access,
or even automatically track class attendance.
RFID tags offer modest convenience compared to card swiping. One simply approaches a door and is instantly
recognized. The risks associated with losing an ID card remain about the same. Mitigating methods
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b. Enter “RFID” into an Internet search engine and summarize the search results. Of the top 20 results,
how many were positive, negative, or neutral?
About two thirds of the hits were either industry or manufacturing related. About one in four hits linked to sites
concerned with privacy. The remaining sites were simply informational and took no sides.
c. Enter “RFID” and “privacy” into an Internet search engine, select a page expressing privacy concerns,
and summarize them in a brief essay. Do you find these concerns compelling?
5. Gadgets
Getting to Know All About You
a) What additional context sensitive inputs are computing devices now able to automatically acquire?
Some mobile devices can automatically detect the following:
b) Briefly explain the difference between “hard-sensing” and “soft-sensing.” Provide an example of each.
Hard-sensing uses inputs from hardware such as an accelerometer. An accelerometer might detect when a
laptop computer is in freefall and move its hard drive’s read-write head off the platter to protect its disks from
c) Do you agree with researchers Allan and Warden that “there’s no immediate harm that would seem to
come from the availability of this data”? Give several examples of harm that might arise from having this
information fall into the wrong hands.
No. A database of a user’s time/location information could cause that user significant harm. Examples:
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• A political party might use this information to try and get “dirt” on its opposition.
d) Has Apple’s response to this revelation been adequate? Why or why not?
As of this writing, Apple has not released a public statement.
ANSWERS TO REAL WORLD CHALLENGE/SOLUTION
Real World Challenge
1. In this scenario, management was able to outline some specific characteristics that the resulting
technology must have. Is this a good idea? On the one hand, it provides clear criteria against which
proposals can be evaluated; on the other hand, it limits solutions to what management has thought of,
which is likely derived from what exists today, not what might exist in the future. How do you balance
these two aspects of the problem?
a) Is outlining specific characteristics in advance a good idea? – yes
• Budway’s managers know the business and desirable “characteristics”
b) Balance:
• solicit vendors with relevant industry, region, and business function experience
2. Beyond the obvious efficiencies, is management taking a leap of faith when it assumes that going digital
will open the door to new products and services, or is it a foregone conclusion? Can you provide some
examples of what would be possible with digital PODs that would not be possible with paper-based ones?
a) Leap of faith
It’s only a leap of faith only if they have no experience going digital.
b) Example possibilities with digital PODs
• real-time, automated productivity monitoring and analysis
3. What are some of the challenges Budway Enterprises faces as it seeks to modernize its business practices?
Which are technical in nature, and which are business-related? How do the challenges you identified
generalize to other companies?
a) Technical challenges
• integrating with customer’s systems (where applicable)
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b) Business related challenges
• convincing clients to do without paper
• hiring and managing the appropriate technology personnel
c) Generalizations
All challenges noted here generalize directly to other organizations depending on their individual degree of
technological sophistication.
Real World Solution
1. Did Budway management take on an unnecessary risk by becoming the principle integrator of all of these
components, instead of delegating the task to an outside partner, such as a consulting company? What
are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?
a) Unnecessary risk
Risk reflects the degree to which the probability of a desired outcome is unknown. Experience reduces these
Outsource disadvantages
• vendors may not have the relevant experience
• vendor seeking to expand scope; scope creep
• poor knowledge transfer at the end of the project
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2. Now that the new systems are in place and working properly, what is the next step for Budway? Where
do you think management could still improve their operations with the use of technology?
a) Next step
• market their new capabilities (capitalize on its investment)
ANSWERS TO REAL WORLD CASES
RWC 1: AstraZenica, UnitedHealth, and Others
Case Study Questions
1. What are the companies mentioned in the case trying to control, or manage, through these projects?
What is the problem? And how did they get there?
Objectives
To more effectively manage its IT department’s…
• hardware
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2. What are the business benefits of implementing strong IT asset management programs? In what ways
have the companies discussed in the case benefited? Provide several examples.
Business benefits
• Respond quickly and confidently to audits
• Negotiate volume deals with vendors
3. One of the companies in the case, UnitedHealth Group, tackled the issue by imposing standardization
and “charging” those stepping outside standard models. How should they balance the need to standardize
with being able to provide business units with the technologies best suited to their specific needs? Justify
your answer.
Approaches to achieving balance
• Create multiple, manageable standards (e.g. desktops for various types of work: clerical, secretarial,
Real World Activities
1. An important metric in this area considered by companies is the Total Cost of Ownership ( TCO) of their
IT assets. Go online and research what TCO is and how it is related to IT asset management. How are
companies using TCO to manage their IT investments? Prepare a presentation to share your research
with the rest of your class.
TCO
Total Cost of Ownership consists of the hardware, software, training, and support costs from acquisition to final
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2. What does Don Barry of IBM mean by “life–cycle” in the context of this case? How would this life-cycle
management work when it comes to IT assets? Break into small groups with your classmates and create a
working definition of life-cycle management and how it works as you understand it from the case.
Life-cycle
Life-cycle begins with the analysis of a business need and ends when IT removes the hardware/software from its
RWC 2: IT in Health Care
Case Study Questions
1. What are some of the benefits afforded to organizations implementing voice recognition technologies in these
settings? How can you quantify these benefits to assess the value of the investment? Provide several examples
from the case.
Benefits
The case study describes several benefits:
• cost savings
2. There is no margin for error when working in a health care setting. How would you go about implementing
these technologies in this high-risk environment? What precautions or approaches would you take to minimize
risks? Develop some recommendations.
Implementation precautions
• Start with a small group to test the implementation process and give the organization its own experience base.
3. In what other areas of medicine would you expect technology to make inroads next? Where do you think it
would be most beneficial, and how would it change the way doctors and nurses work today? Provide several
examples.
Future of Medical Technology
Changes in government sponsored entitlement programs will absorb most of the health industry‘s IT capacity over the
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Real World Activities
1. The case talks about electronic medical or health records systems. These are slowly becoming standard in many
hospitals and clinics, both private and public. Go online and search for reports of these implementations. What
are the main benefits derived from their adoption? What have been the major roadblocks preventing their
acceptance? Prepare a report to share your findings.
Benefits
• Improved health care
2. The case above was presented from the perspective of practitioners and hospital administrators. How
comfortable would you feel, as a patient, knowing that your health care providers are using these technologies?
Would you have any concerns? Break into small groups with your classmates to discuss this issue.
How comfortable are patients in any case? Patients are in a position where they have to trust their providers. If their
providers appear comfortable with the technology they are using, then patients should feel no less comfortable. This is