Hardware: Input, Processing,

and Output Devices

Chapter 3

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Principles and Learning Objectives
• When selecting computer devices, you also must
consider the current and future needs of the
information system and the organization.Your choice
of a particular computer system device should always
allow for later improvements.
– Describe the power, speed, and capacity of central
processing and memory devices.
– Describe the access methods, capacity, and portability of
secondary storage devices.
– Discuss the speed, functionality, and importance of input and
output devices.
– Identify popular classes of computer systems and discuss the
role of each.

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Hardware Components

• Central processing unit (CPU)

• Primary storage (main memory; memory)
• Secondary storage
• Input devices
• Output devices

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Hardware Components

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Processing & Memory
Devices

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Processing Characteristics and
Functions

• Machine cycle time is measured in:

– Microseconds (1 millionth)
– Nanoseconds (1 billionth)
– Picoseconds (1 trillionth)
– MIPS (Millions of Instructions Processed per
Second)

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Wordlength and Bus Line Width

• Bits (Binary Digits): smallest form of data in a

computer
• Word: number of bits that can be processed as
a unit
• Bus lines: electrical paths of data flow

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Physical Characteristics of the CPU

• Digital circuits on chips

• Electrical current flows through silicon
• Moore’s Law - transistor density of chips
will double every 18 months

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Moore’s Law

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Memory Characteristics and
Functions

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Storage Capacity

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Types of Memory

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Secondary Storage

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Secondary Storage

• Offers the advantages of nonvolatility, greater

capacity, and greater economy

• Access methods, storage capacities, and

portability required are determined by the
information system’s objectives

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Devices

• Magnetic tapes
• Magnetic disks
• RAID
• Storage area networks (SAN)
• Optical disks
• Magneto-optical (MO) disks
• Digital versatile disks (DVDs)

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Types of Secondary Storage

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Magnetic Disks

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Storage Area Network

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Expandable Storage

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Comparison of Secondary Storage
Devices

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Characteristics and Functionality

• Data - can be human or machine readable

• Data entry - converts human readable data into
machine-readable form
• Data input - transfers machine-readable data
into the system
• Source data automation - capturing and editing
data at its source

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Input and Output Devices

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Input Devices

• Personal computer input devices

– Keyboard
– Mouse
• Voice-recognition devices
• Digital cameras
• Terminals

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
Digital Computer Cameras

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Output Devices

• Display monitors
• Printers and plotters
• Music devices
• Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)
– Active matrix
– Passive matrix

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Printers

Principles of Information Systems,

Sixth Edition
 Summary
• Hardware - includes any machinery that assists with
the input, processing, and output activities of a CBIS

• Processing speed - often measured by the time it

takes to complete one machine cycle

• Primary storage (memory) - provides working

storage for program instructions and data

• Common forms of secondary storage - magnetic

tape, magnetic disk, compact disk, digital video disk,
and optical disk storage
Principles of Information Systems,
Sixth Edition