Hardware

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Hardware
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Considerations

• There are five main areas to be considered when
  buying a new computer
• Operating System the way the PC is used
• Hardware specification of the system
• Type of computer laptop or desktop
• Manufacturer the reputation of the supplier
• Software the programs to be installed

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The Operating System (OS)
(This is Software)
The Windows family Windows XP Windows
2000 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium
Edition, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT4
Workstation
Linux Red Hat, SUSE etc. Unix Solaris
etc. Both run on IBM PCs
MacOS - runs on Apple computers
The MOST important question in buying a new PC
what applications do you want to run on the OS?
This determines the hardware you require.
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Microsoft Windows
The Operating system needs to be installed before
other software is installed on the computer

• Microsoft's Windows Operating Systems
• Windows XP (for Home Users)
• Windows 2000 or XP Professional (for Business
  Users and small networks)
• Windows 2003 server (for controlling a big
  network)

(This is Software)
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home user Windows 9x and XP
The home user version of the windows OS. Starting
with Windows 95, updated by windows 98 and
evolving into Windows Millennium edition.
Replaced by Windows XP. This OS is the one
typically provided to the home user. This OS has
a focus on compatibility with a vast amount of
hardware and doesnt drain the computers
resources.
(This is Software)
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Business user Operating Systems
Network focused OS devoted towards the needs of
the business community. Offers the business user
a more robust and secure platform with backup
systems which protect the data if anything goes
wrong. In addition to this requires more
knowledge and cost to set up, install, administer
and maintain.
(This is Software)
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A stand alone Computer
Needs its own printer and Internet
connection Files are saved on the computers
hard drive on drive C The software is
installed on the computers hard drive on drive
C If the computer breaks, what happens to the
data?
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A Peer to Peer network
Printers or files on one computer can be accessed
from any other. All computers are equals. Files
are saved on each computers hard drive on drive
C Client software is installed on each
computers hard drive on drive C
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A Client / Server network
The server controls who can log on and the
security set up. Files are stored on the server.
The client PCs can use network printers and
share the servers Internet connection. Client
software is installed on each computers hard
drive on drive C
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What is needed?

• Business User
• System Function
• Desktop
• Server
• Notebook
• Widely distributed, standardised networks
• Total cost of ownership (TCO)
• OS, Hardware, Support administration costs

• Home User
• Multi-Media much more important such as sound,
  DVD 3D game support.
• Less worried about standardisation
• Most likely OS is Windows 9X or XP

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Computer hardware overview
Computer Motherboard
Box of LEGO
Building a computer is like LEGO All the bits
slot into the Motherboard the main circuit
board of the computer
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Where things go
AGP slot (for graphics card)
PCI slots (to slot in any extra bits)
Power in (from power supply)
Lithium battery
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
RAM slots (for memory)
IDE Sockets (to plug in Hard Drive and CD or DVD
drive)
Building a computer is like LEGO All the bits
slot into the Motherboard the main circuit
board of the computer
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CPU the PCs brain
The FASTER the BETTER Measured in Megahertz or
Gigahertz eg 3.2 ghz or 3.200mhz
How fast is your brain?

• Two rival brands
• Intel vs. AMD
• Intel Celeron, PIII, P4 and Pm (Centrino)
• Industry Standard
• Directly market chip
• AMD Athlon
• Maybe better Performance per

Central Processing Unit
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RAM the PCs memory

• The BIGGER the BETTERVarious TypesSDRAMDDR RAM
• Varying Sizes
• 128, 256, 512 MB (or more)
• Enables the computer to think of more things at
  once

Random Access Memory
How BIG is your memory?
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storage - hard disk

• Hard Disks
• Interface type
• Small Computer serial interface (SCSI - Scuzzy)
• Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
• Size
• Measured In Giga-Bytes
• Eg 120 gigabyte

How BIG is your storage?
This is your C drive (where your programs are
installed)
The BIGGER the size the MORE you can store
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storage other types

• CD and DVD drivesUsed to backup data

How RELIABLE is your storage?
A CD-RW can hold about 650MB of data. A DVD may
hold 3.7 gigabytes or more.
Important data needs keeping safely
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input/output devices
Out
In
Network Card
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monitor
CRT cheaper, more noisy uses more electricity,
bulky

• Basic choice CRT or TFT
• A good monitor will outlast all the other parts
  of your system - best place to spend your money.
• Eyesight!

TFT dearer, less noisy uses less electricity
smaller desk space needed
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sound

• PCI CD quality surround sound.
• As good as your stereo (and in most cases
  better).
• Is it necessary or important?

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Connections

• Ethernet (network card and cables)
• Used to create computer networks.
• Relatively unimportant in home system, crucial in
  a business system
• Modem (for a slow Internet dial-up link)
• Wireless connectivity (eg Wireless Router)
• Infra red, bluetooth etc

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Type of computer

• Several type of basic computer configuration
  based on the needs of the users
• Desktop most common for home users
• Laptop for users who need to travel
• PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) ultra
  small pocket PCs
• Servers for companies that need to share data
• Home users traditionally fall into the desktop
  category, but laptops are becoming much more
  common as prices fall!

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Manufacturers and suppliers

• The Top Tier -
• Look for a good warranty as failures do occur!
• What does the warranty include? Where? How
  long?
• Support normally a charge
• Crucial for corporate users
• Manufacturer is where laptops differentiate more
  than desktops!

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Questions to consider
In IT hardware - you really do get what you pay
for.

• If you were going to buy a laptop, what issues
  would influence your decision?
• How different would these be if your were buying
  a desktop?
• What do you really need and will it suit your
  needs in the future (is it upgradeable)?