External Hardware

External Hardware

Okay so now that we've gone over the basics of computers (mouse, keyboard, pc, and monitor) now let's take a look at how you can customize your computer and make it even more powerful.

External Hardware are electronic devices that you can connect to your computer to serve different purposes.

The most commonly used pieces of external hardware are external hard drives and memory sticks, but there are other devices you can attach to your computer as well.

Internal Hard Drive

Every computer has a hard drive built in. This is where all the memory for the computer and data is stored. However memory on an internal hard drive is limited--especially on older computers. When this memory is used up a computer will run slower, some programs will not open or run properly, large files can't be saved, and downloads will fail or load very slowly.

Memory can be used up very fast if you install large or newer programs on an older computer, if you save a lot of video files or projects on your computer, if your computer is infected with spyware or viruses, or if you download a lot of music and movies from the Internet.

When it comes to using large programs or programs that require a lot of memory the best thing to do is first buy a computer that is equipped to handle the needs of the projects you want to do or install more memory in your old computer--but this requires some patience and skill.

External hardware can be used to supplement the memory on your computer so you can use the memory on your computer just for applications and programs--if you want to.

So let's look at some different types of hardware.

External Harddrive

External Hard Drive

This device acts just like the harddrive built in to your computer except that it can easily be connected and removed from your computer and is often times portable.

You can use and external harddrive to save all of your personal files such as your documents, music, pictures, and video files. This saves a lot of space on your computer for just running and installing programs.

Another benefit to having an external harddrive is that if your computer ever breaks down your files are safe on your harddrive because it can be connected to other computers.

NOTE: files on your external will not be lost if your computer breaks down, but if your computer had a virus and a file saved on your external was infected the virus can spread if you connect your hard drive to other computers.

External harddrives are also used to back up computers daily, so if something ever did happen to your computer all your work and settings would be saved. When an external harddrive is used to backup a computer it becomes a clone of that computer--a computer Mini Me.

Memory Stick

This is much smaller and easier to carry around than an external harddrive. However memory sticks don't have as much memory on them as external harddrives. Their main purpose is to transfer files from one place to another or from one person to another.

They can also be called flash drives, USB sticks, and that stick thingie--as well as many other names.

Another little quirk about memory sticks is that they come in so many varieties. You can get them in different colors, shapes, patterns, and even ones that look like your favorite cartoon characters.

Other hardware

External hardware does not apply only to memory devices but includes many different electronics as well.

Mouse and keyboard

Yes, your mouse and keyboard can be considered external hardware.

Camera or webcam

When you connect your camera to your computer it's considered an external device.

For computers that don't have cameras built in, web cams can be purchased and connected to your computer.

Wacom Tablet

Tablets

Tablets are used by artists an designers as a way to draw easily on the computer. The pad acts as paper, the pen acts as a real pen or pencil. Some tablets also come with an additional mouse.



Printers and scanners

Printers are considered external devices.

Scanners can be used to copy images on to paper or to copy them on to your computer.

Nowadays you can easily buy all in one printer-scanner-copiers.

Wireless USB Adaptor

Wifi or bluetooth devices

For computers that don't have built in wireless or bluetooth receptors you can buy hardware (that looks like memory sticks) to connect you to wireless networks or Bluetooth.

Mp3 players

IPods and other mp3 players can be considered external hardware.

Other

USB Fan

USB Hamster runs as you type.

There are many other random things you can connect to your computer. Some things useful--some things not. For example a USB fan may be useful on a hot day--but a USB hamster running on a wheel while you type may not be the most helpful device, even if it is amusing!

Basically anything you can plug into your computer is considered and external device!





Assignment

Go online and find one piece of external hardware that we talked about today.

Once you've done that find the SAME EXACT DEVICE on two other websites and answer the following questions:

(you can write your answers or email them to me for a real challenge. My email is Rodriguez.SamanthaJ@gmail.com)

1. How much does the device cost in NEW condition on all three websites?

2. Which website sells the device NEW at the lowest cost?

3. Which website is the most expensive?

4. Do any of the websites sell it refurbished or used?

4a. If so what are the USED prices?

5. Which site has the best deal overall?

Here are some hints on how to complete this assignment:

- visit:
Www.bestbuy.com
Www.amazon.com
Www.newegg.com
Www.eBay.com
Www.circuitcity.com

Or google "external harddrive" or "camera" or whatever you want to look for.

- once you find something you like copy the name and model of the device by highlighting it, right clicking an pressing copy.

Then open a new tab, go to google, and paste the name of the device in the search bar.

When you're done with the assignment show me what you've found.


Question review

1. What is a hard drive?
A. It is where floppy go.
B. It is where computer data is stored.
C. It is the device used to read CDs.
D. It is one of those sticks that you put in the USB port.

2. Which of these is external hardware?
A. External hard drive
B. Digital camera
C. Scanner
D. All of the above.

3. What is an external hard drive used for?
A. Backing up computer settings
B. Backing up personal files
C. Saving memory on internal hard drive.
D. All of the above.

4. True or false - when a computer crashes and the files are wiped out all of the files on the external hard drive are lost too. T or F