2011-12-22
2011-12-19
2011-12-11
New Acer ICONIA 484G64
It features:
Intel Core i5-480M Processor
- (2.66 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz, 3 MB L3 Cache, 35W TDP)
- Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)
640 GB HDD / 4 GB DDR3 RAM
Dual multi-touch screens, 14" HD Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit, supporting up to 10-finger touch
Optimized Dolby Home Theater v3 audio enhancement, featuring Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Natural Bass, Dolby Sound Space Expander, Dolby Audio Optimization, Dolby High Frequency Enhancer technologies
Bluetooth 3.0+HS
Intel Core i5-480M Processor
- (2.66 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz, 3 MB L3 Cache, 35W TDP)
- Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)
640 GB HDD / 4 GB DDR3 RAM
Dual multi-touch screens, 14" HD Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit, supporting up to 10-finger touch
Optimized Dolby Home Theater v3 audio enhancement, featuring Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Natural Bass, Dolby Sound Space Expander, Dolby Audio Optimization, Dolby High Frequency Enhancer technologies
Bluetooth 3.0+HS
2011-12-01
Sony's new VAIO Z ultraportable laptop with Power Media Dock hands-on (Laptop)
Now that we've seen Sony's new VAIO Z in its luscious press shots, it's time to face reality and lay our itchy hands on this 13-inch ultraportable laptop, along with its eccentric expansion dock that packs both a Blu-ray drive and an AMD Radeon HD 6650M graphics chip (with 1GB of video RAM). Just as we were told by our little birdie, said dock is connected to the notebook via Light Peak -- a first for Sony -- but there's a catch: Sony's only implementing the architecture and not the connector, so for the time being, this sweet high speed connection is only compatible with the docking unit and nothing else.
Anyhow, here's a quick recap: what we have here is a 1.18kg feather-light machine packing an Intel Sandy Bridge i5 (also available with an i7), 256GB SSD and 1.3 megapixel webcam, plus a matte LCD display with resolution at 1600 x 900 or an optional 1920 x 1080. Oh yes, for an extra cost, you get some sweet full HD action at just 13 inches. This upgraded display performed well in the relatively dark confines of the press event, but how it fares under direct sunlight remains to be seen. Read on for more hands-on impression.
Anyhow, here's a quick recap: what we have here is a 1.18kg feather-light machine packing an Intel Sandy Bridge i5 (also available with an i7), 256GB SSD and 1.3 megapixel webcam, plus a matte LCD display with resolution at 1600 x 900 or an optional 1920 x 1080. Oh yes, for an extra cost, you get some sweet full HD action at just 13 inches. This upgraded display performed well in the relatively dark confines of the press event, but how it fares under direct sunlight remains to be seen. Read on for more hands-on impression.
At first glance, the VAIO Z looks very much like the legendary VAIO X, and some of its technologies are actually ported over from the latter: a single sided motherboard, and a fold out RJ-45 port design, in order to reduce the machine's thickness to a mere 16.65mm. Like the VAIO X, the flap is plastic, but it doesn't feel flimsy. The rest of the VAIO Z feels solid all around, with carbon fiber used to reinforce the screen and chassis, along with a layer of aluminum for the palm rest. The hinge is hidden behind the back of the machine, and upon opening the lid upright, the machine is lifted up slightly by a couple of feet beneath the display -- much like the hinge on the ASUS Transformer's keyboard dock. Presumably, this is for better heat dissipation.
As with most ultraportables, the VAIO Z only packs a grand total of two USB ports, and only one of them is USB 3.0-compatible. But here's a surprise: the latter port is also where Light Peak is implemented: the fiber optic cables feed data to and from the media dock, which we will touch on later. Plugging in the Power Media Dock will leave you with only one usable USB port on the laptop, but then the dock has decent connectivity in it's own right -- as you'll see below. As for the remaining sockets we have HDMI and VGA output on each side of the machine, an SD card slot plus a dedicated MemoryStick reader (yes, it's still around), as well as a lone headphone port on the right hand side.
As with most ultraportables, the VAIO Z only packs a grand total of two USB ports, and only one of them is USB 3.0-compatible. But here's a surprise: the latter port is also where Light Peak is implemented: the fiber optic cables feed data to and from the media dock, which we will touch on later. Plugging in the Power Media Dock will leave you with only one usable USB port on the laptop, but then the dock has decent connectivity in it's own right -- as you'll see below. As for the remaining sockets we have HDMI and VGA output on each side of the machine, an SD card slot plus a dedicated MemoryStick reader (yes, it's still around), as well as a lone headphone port on the right hand side.
Don't worry, we haven't forgotten the Power Media Dock. Obviously, this add-on is designed to stay at home while the VAIO Z is out and about with you road warriors. Aside from providing a Blu-ray drive and discrete graphics, the dock also adds an additional USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports, along with the ability to connect two more monitors. The VAIO Z's chief designer confirmed to us that this allows the laptop to drive up to four displays -- including the laptop's own LCD -- simultaneously! Understandably, the dock must be powered externally, but it does pass on power to the notebook for recharging.
The keyboard is pretty standard Sony stuff, and those who are into chiclet keyboards should feel right at home. To shave some thickness off the machine, the keys aren't raised as high as their predecessors, but the travel is still deep and satisfactory. Under dim lighting, the keys are equipped with a pale green backlight -- a welcoming diversion from the over-used blue and white backlighting often seen on laptops. The button-free touchpad struck us as top-notch, being responsive to the lightest of taps anywhere across its area. Smack in the middle of the touchpad you'll find a fingerprint scanner, which we couldn't test but which should be supported by Sony's feature-rich software that lets you login to specific websites (as well as the OS itself) with a swipe of a digit.
Another feature worth noting is this new VAIO Z's twin-fan design. By sharing the load of cooling between the two spinners, Sony managed to reduce both thickness and noise. The entire chassis remained cool to the touch even after running for about 30 minutes, and fan noise was minimal. Those fans are of course there to pamper the Sandy Bridge processor, which Sony wouldn't let us see in action because the software configuration was far from final. Nevertheless, we did observe an impressive boot-up time of less than 20-seconds.
As for battery life, Sony claims 6.5/7 hours of usage with the standard, non-user replaceable battery, though you can extend that to 13/14 hours with the optional slice battery pack, which screws into the base of the laptop and adds a good few millimetres in thickness and 680g in weight. That might sound a lot, but it means you're getting up to two days' use from a powerful machine that weighs less than 2kg in total, so we're not complaining.
The keyboard is pretty standard Sony stuff, and those who are into chiclet keyboards should feel right at home. To shave some thickness off the machine, the keys aren't raised as high as their predecessors, but the travel is still deep and satisfactory. Under dim lighting, the keys are equipped with a pale green backlight -- a welcoming diversion from the over-used blue and white backlighting often seen on laptops. The button-free touchpad struck us as top-notch, being responsive to the lightest of taps anywhere across its area. Smack in the middle of the touchpad you'll find a fingerprint scanner, which we couldn't test but which should be supported by Sony's feature-rich software that lets you login to specific websites (as well as the OS itself) with a swipe of a digit.
Another feature worth noting is this new VAIO Z's twin-fan design. By sharing the load of cooling between the two spinners, Sony managed to reduce both thickness and noise. The entire chassis remained cool to the touch even after running for about 30 minutes, and fan noise was minimal. Those fans are of course there to pamper the Sandy Bridge processor, which Sony wouldn't let us see in action because the software configuration was far from final. Nevertheless, we did observe an impressive boot-up time of less than 20-seconds.
As for battery life, Sony claims 6.5/7 hours of usage with the standard, non-user replaceable battery, though you can extend that to 13/14 hours with the optional slice battery pack, which screws into the base of the laptop and adds a good few millimetres in thickness and 680g in weight. That might sound a lot, but it means you're getting up to two days' use from a powerful machine that weighs less than 2kg in total, so we're not complaining.
Our Sony VAIO Z (VPCZ127GX) Specifications:
- Windows 7
- Intel Core i5-520M 2.40GHz Processor (3MB cache)
- 6GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM (8GB max)
- 384GB (3 x 128GB) Samsung SSD Array (RAID 0)
- 13.1" Widescreen LED Backlit Display (1600 x 900)
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M GPU with 1GB of Dedicated Video RAM and Intel GMA HD integrated
- DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Drive
- Intel 6200 Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth (2.1 + EDR)
- Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
- Ports: 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone Output, Microphone Input, VGA, HDMI, RJ-45 Ethernet, Port Replicator Connector
- 6-cell 57Wh battery
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.3 x 1.0-1.3-inches
- Weight: 3.04 pounds (with standard capacity battery)
- Price: $1,919 starting, $2,899 as configured
Build and Design
The outside appearance of the Sony VAIO Z is sleek and compact. The screen is a few millimeters thick and could easily be described as paper thin. The power button and DC-input jack are integrated into the screen hinges, another common trend on VAIO notebooks that aims to improve looks and make use of regularly wasted space. Inside, Sony takes a similar path as Apple did with the newer generation MacBooks with a machined keyboard bezel. The keyboard and palmrest trim are a solid piece of metal with a Chiclet-style keyboard embedded in the surface. Offered in multiple colors including black, silver, carbon fiber, and metal shield, the VAIO Z can be tailored to match different personalities. Overall as far as notebook designs go the Z merges the best in ultraportable notebooks with the best in high-end business notebooks ... I love it.
Build quality is very good but I don't think I would go as far as saying it is rugged by any means. The super thin design has a few weaknesses that could break if the system was treated roughly. The paper thin screen has some flex, but it doesn't seem to distort the display when bent. The screen cover also resists impacts without pressing against the panel. If the system was accidentally dropped I don't think it would hold up as well as say an HP EliteBook or Lenovo ThinkPad, but it should hold up better than the average consumer notebook. In my standard day-to-day activities I didn't notice any abnormal wear on the finish and the textured screen cover seemed to resist fingerprints very well.
The machined keyboard bezel is very strong, preventing flex and also giving the notebook chassis strength. While we were inspecting internals of the notebook we quickly found out the top panel is what gives the body of the VAIO Z much of its strength. As soon as it was removed the lower section of the chassis exhibited a lot of movement. Generally speaking most notebooks get their strength from an internal chassis or the bottom framework.
The Sony VAIO Z isn't designed to be user-friendly for upgrades. The only easy-access section inside the notebook is the system memory. The other system components are only accessible once you completely dismantle the notebook and remove the entire top plate. Even with the top plate off, most of the internal components such as the hard drives are proprietary in design and not something easily upgraded or replaced by the end-user. With most configurations pushing multiple SSDs, substantial quantities of system memory, and high-end processors... user upgrades probably won't be on the minds of most owners.
Screen and Speakers
Sony LCD displays have a special place in my heart when it comes to TVs, monitors, and notebook displays. Generally speaking they push the boundaries with their high-end models and offer some of the most vivid colors, best contrast, and good looks out of any other panels I have seen on the market. The VAIO Z is no different in this case with its HD+ 1600x900 13.1" display. Compared to other screens I have seen in this size the Z blows the competition out of the water. Colors look fantastic and with screen brightness a few notches down from 100% the contrast and black levels are excellent. Backlight levels were also very good, measuring 321nit with our Gossen light meter at 100% brightness. If you intend to get the Blu-ray burner with your VAIO Z, you won't be disappointed while watching movies from your notebook.
Sony LCD displays have a special place in my heart when it comes to TVs, monitors, and notebook displays. Generally speaking they push the boundaries with their high-end models and offer some of the most vivid colors, best contrast, and good looks out of any other panels I have seen on the market. The VAIO Z is no different in this case with its HD+ 1600x900 13.1" display. Compared to other screens I have seen in this size the Z blows the competition out of the water. Colors look fantastic and with screen brightness a few notches down from 100% the contrast and black levels are excellent. Backlight levels were also very good, measuring 321nit with our Gossen light meter at 100% brightness. If you intend to get the Blu-ray burner with your VAIO Z, you won't be disappointed while watching movies from your notebook.
Another unique option that Sony offers with the VAIO Z is a 1080P panel. If you have a taste for high resolution panels in a small form-factor, the 13.1" 1920x1080 display won't disappoint. At the time of this review it is a free upgrade option, regularly costing $100 extra. I am not sure if I would spring for it personally-my eyes might kill me for it-but it is very nice to know the option exists. Right now the market is saturated with WXGA resolution panels on larger notebooks, so it is refreshing to see at least some manufacturers still support folks who demand screen real estate.
Sony integrated the speakers on the VAIO Z into the solid metal plate used for the keyboard and palmrest. The speaker size is fairly small, not much bigger than a postage stamp in each side. In our tests we found bass and midrange to be lacking, although peak volume levels were fine for a small room. For gaming or listening to streaming music they should suffice, but using headphones would be the best alternative on this notebook.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The VAIO Z has the traditional Sony/Chiclet-style keyboard with white LED-backlighting. It is very comfortable to type on and fairly solid. I did notice some mild flex on the side of the keyboard directly on top of the optical drive but it was only under very strong typing pressure. The keyboard layout was very easy to follow with proper full-size keys everywhere. None of the secondary buttons were condensed to squeeze into the smaller layout. The direction arrows were spaced just far enough away from the other keys so you wouldn't accidentally hit something else when you were moving around the screen. Compared to the Apple MacBook keyboard it's hard to say which one is better as they both have the same layout (barring any key differences between a Windows system and Apple system). In terms of quality I think the MacBook keyboard might be slightly more solid, but only on the more recent unibody designs.
The VAIO Z offers a wide Synaptics touchpad that supports some multitouch features. Controls such as pinch zoom and flick work, but Sony opted for Chiral-scroll and vertical-swipe instead of the increasingly popular two-finger scroll. The touchpad surface was very responsive, with a fast refresh rate and very good sensitivity. We didn't notice any lag in testing nor did we have any problem with drawing unintended ovals when making circular motions on the touchpad. The touchpad buttons were located right on the edge of the palmrest and easy to trigger with the side of your thumb. Tactile feedback was shallow with a mild click when fully pressed.
Ports and Features
Sony includes a few auxiliary buttons above the keyboard for quick access program buttons like the Sony Assist feature, an eject button for the optical drive (no button is on the drive itself), and a control for the switchable graphics. The graphics button has three modes including auto, stamina, and speed. Stamina correlates to when the system is in integrated graphics mode while Speed is with the Geforce GT 330M dedicated graphics. Besides switching the graphics mode it also changes the system's power profile to the previous setting in that mode. If you keep the Windows power profile set to High Performance with Speed and power saver with Power Saver with Stamina, it will remember and automatically change that setting when you switch over.
Sony includes a few auxiliary buttons above the keyboard for quick access program buttons like the Sony Assist feature, an eject button for the optical drive (no button is on the drive itself), and a control for the switchable graphics. The graphics button has three modes including auto, stamina, and speed. Stamina correlates to when the system is in integrated graphics mode while Speed is with the Geforce GT 330M dedicated graphics. Besides switching the graphics mode it also changes the system's power profile to the previous setting in that mode. If you keep the Windows power profile set to High Performance with Speed and power saver with Power Saver with Stamina, it will remember and automatically change that setting when you switch over.
Port selection was average for a 13-inch notebook, but we were still let down considering the price tag on this notebook. The system was equipped with three USB 2.0 ports, VGA and HDMI-out, Ethernet, and audio jacks. Expansion slots included a ExpressCard/34 slot, Memory Stick reader, and a SDHC-card reader. While it was neat to see a tray-loading Blu-ray burner option on this system it would have been nice to see some high speed external storage ports. Sony doesn't offer FireWire, eSATA, or USB 3.0 on the VAIO Z, which would seem almost fitting given the high-performance nature of this notebook. One feature I did like was the inclusion of a dock connector port on the bottom of the notebook. It includes four USB 2.0 ports, DVI and VGA-out, Gigabit LAN, and an input for the AC-adapter. The docking station is a $200 option and not included with the notebook.
2011-11-26
Tutorial F: Jenis/Kategori Perisian dan Perkakasan
Software is a set of programs, procedures, algorithms, and its documentation.
3 Categories for Software
1. System sofeware
2. Programming sofeware
3. Application sofeware
1. System software
System sofeware provides the basic functions for computer usage and helps run the computer hardware and system.
i. Device drivers
ii. Operating systems
Examples: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows, Window XP or Window 7
iii. Servers
Examples :
-GUI not available or optional
-ability to reconfigure and update both hardware and software to some extent without restart
-advanced backup facilities to permit regular and frequent online backups of critical data
-transparents data transfer between different volumes or devices
-flexible and advanced networking capabilities
-automation capabilities such as daemons in UNIX and services in Windows
-tight system security, with advanced user, resource, data, and memory protection
iv. Utilities
Examples
-Aintivirus
-Backup
-Data compresion
-Disk checkers
-Disk cleaners
-Disk compresion
-Disk defragmenter
-Disk particions
-Disk Space analyzers
-Disk storage
-Archive
-File manegers
-Cryptographic
-Hex editors
-Memory testers
-Network utilities
-Registry cleanerst
-Screensavers
-Syetem monitors
vi. Window systems
Examples:X Window System
2.Programming software
Programming sofeware usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way.
i. compilers
ii. Debuggers
iii. Interpreter (Computing)
iv. Linkers
Perkakasan Komputer
3 Categories for Software
1. System sofeware
2. Programming sofeware
3. Application sofeware
1. System software
System sofeware provides the basic functions for computer usage and helps run the computer hardware and system.
i. Device drivers
ii. Operating systems
Examples: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows, Window XP or Window 7
iii. Servers
Examples :
-GUI not available or optional
-ability to reconfigure and update both hardware and software to some extent without restart
-advanced backup facilities to permit regular and frequent online backups of critical data
-transparents data transfer between different volumes or devices
-flexible and advanced networking capabilities
-automation capabilities such as daemons in UNIX and services in Windows
-tight system security, with advanced user, resource, data, and memory protection
iv. Utilities
Examples
-Aintivirus
-Backup
-Data compresion
-Disk checkers
-Disk cleaners
-Disk compresion
-Disk defragmenter
-Disk particions
-Disk Space analyzers
-Disk storage
-Archive
-File manegers
-Cryptographic
-Hex editors
-Memory testers
-Network utilities
-Registry cleanerst
-Screensavers
-Syetem monitors
vi. Window systems
Examples:X Window System
2.Programming software
Programming sofeware usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way.
i. compilers
ii. Debuggers
iii. Interpreter (Computing)
iv. Linkers
vi. Text editor
3. Application software
Application software is developed to aid in any task that benefits from computation. It is a broad category, and encompasses software of many kinds, including the internet browser being used to display this page.
-Business sotware
-Computer-aided design
-Decison making software
-Educational software
-Image editing
-Industrial automation
-Mathematical software
-Medical software
-Melecular modeling software
-Quantum chemistry&solid state physics software
-Simulation software
-Spreedsheets
-Telecommunications (i.e. the Internet&everything that flows on it)
-Video editing software
-video games
Perkakasan Komputer
Perkakasan komputer merupakan bahagian-bahagian yang terdapat dalam sesebuat komputer supaya komputer dapat berfungsi. Perkakasan ini terdiri daripada komponen-komponen yang boleh dikawal secara fizikal. Fungsi bagi komponen-komponen tersebut boleh dibahagi kepada 3 kategori iaitu input, output dan storan. Komponen bagi ketiga-tiga kategori dihubungkan kepada pemproses mikro, iaitu unit pemprosesan pusat (CPU) yang merupakan litar elektronik yang membekalkan kebolehan mengira dan mengawal komputer melalui litar yang dipanggil bas. Papan induk (motherboard) merupakan komponen yang paling utama di dalam sesebuah komputer yang mana terdapat semua komponen lain yang dipasangkan kepadanya. Komponen paling penting yang dipasangkan pada sesebuah papan induk ialah CPU (Central Processing Unit) atau unit pemprosesan pusat yang berfungsi memproses data dalam sesebuah komputer. Interaksi antara perkakasan input dan output dikawal oleh perisian yang dipanggil Basic Input Output System (BIOS). Walaupun pemproses mikro dianggap sebagai perkakasan, sebahagian fungsinya adalah berkaitan dengan perisian komputer. Oleh disebabkan pemproses mikro mempunyai ciri-ciri perkakasan dan perisian komputer, maka komponen ini selalu dikenali sebagai firmware. Pemproses atau unit pemprosesan pusat merupakan komponen utama dan berfungsi sebagai otak dalam sistem komputer. Komponen ini mengandung berjuta-juta litar yang berfungsi untuk pengawalan audio, video, pengiraan matematik dan arahan komunikasi. Oleh sebab tanggungjawab dan tugasnya yang banyak, pemproses direka untuk beroperasi dengan pantas bagi membolehkan pemprosesan berjuta-juta arahan setiap saat terutamanya dengan penggunaan perisian yang semakin canggih pada hari ini.
Jenis pemproses utama yang menggunakan platform x86 adalah pemproses dari Intel, AMD dan Cyrix. Sistem Apple pula dilengkapi dengan pemproses PowerPC. Walaupun berbeza daripada segi rekabentuk atau arkitektur serta sokongan sistem operasi yang berbeza, fungsi CPU dalam semua jenis komputer adalah serupa iaitu memproses arahan. Sebelum memasukkan pemproses, pastikan dahulu jenisnya boleh digunakan pada papan litar utama kerana bukan semua papan litar utama menyokong semua jenis cip.
PERKAKASAN INPUT
Perkakasan input mengandung peranti luaran, iaitu komponen yang terletak di luar CPU. Komponen ini merupakan peranti yang menerima data dan menghantarnya ke CPU. Data yang diterima oleh peranti input mestilah dalam bentuk yang sesuai seperti contoh pembaca kod bar hanya menerima data dalam bentuk kod bar. Peranti input menukar data kepada bentuk binari yang boleh diterima oleh CPU.
Papan Kekunci
Papan kekunci adalah seperti mesin taip yang membenarkan pengguna memasukkan teks dan arahan ke dalam komputer. Sesetengah papan kekunci mempunyai kekunci khas atau peranti penunjuk, seperti trackball atau "touch-sensitive regions" yang membenarkan pengguna menggunakan pergerakan jari untuk menggerakkan kursor pada skrin. Papan kekunci merupakan media yang menjadi sumber memasukkan data ke dalam sesebuah PC sama ada melalui perisian atau dengan melaksanakan operasi PC. Dalam banyak aspek, kekunci menjadi pembantu kepada tetikus.
OMR, OCR dan MICR
Terdapat beberapa kaedah membaca data berbentuk aksara atau tanda. Pembaca dokumen (document reader) adalah peranti yang membaca data terus dari borang. Antara pembaca dokumen yang biasa adalah Optical Mark Reading (OMR), Optical Character Recognition (OCR) dan Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR). OMR ialah sistem pembacaan baris atau tanda yang telah dibuat tepat kedudukannya pada kad atau dokumen. Contoh borang OMR adalah kertas saranan jawapan aneka pilihan.
OCR boleh mengesan aksara berdasarkan bentuknya. Pengimbas pada mulanya hanya digunakan untuk mengimbas gambar, tetapi ia juga boleh digunakan untuk mengimbas teks. Ia memerlukan perisian OCR. OCR boleh membaca tulisan cetakan dan juga tulisan tangan.
MICR mengesan aksara yang terbentuk dari dakwat magnetik. Contoh penggunaan MICR adalah pengesanan nombor pada cek bank. Contoh-contoh peranti lain yang dapat mengesan aksara adalah pembaca kod bar yang mana contohnyta seperti ada tanda harga dan pembaca jalur magnet yang terdapat pada kad kredit atau tiket.
Tetikus
Tetikus pula adalah alat penunjuk (pointing device) yang direkabentuk untuk digenggam dengan sebelah tangan. Tetikus mempunyai peranti pengesan (biasanya bebola) di bawahnya yang membolehkan pengguna mengawal kursor dengan menggerakkannya di atas permukaan rata. Tetikus merupakan aksesori yang memudahkan operasi dalam persekitaran GUI (Graphical User Inrerface) atau Windows. Pengguna dengan mudah melakukan pelbagai operasi dengan menggerakkan petunjuk dan mengklik butang tetikus.
Pen Cahaya
Pen cahaya digunakan untuk melukis terus di atas skrin monitor atau memilih maklumat pada skrin dengan menekan klip pada pen atau dengan menekan pen cahaya ke atas permukaan skrin. Pen mengandung pengesan cahaya yang dapat menentukan bahagian mana skrin yang dilalui.
Skrin Sentuh (Touch Screen)
Skrin Sentuh ialah skrin yang mana data boleh dimasukkan ke dalam komputer hanya dengan menyentuhnya dengan jari. Item yang dipilih adalah seperti apa yang dilakukan oleh tetikus atau pen cahaya.
Tablet Grafik
Tablet Grafik adalah papan yang boleh mengesan kedudukan stylus (pen) di atas permukaannya dan boleh digunakan untuk menyurih lukisan yang diletakkan di atasnya.
Kayu Ria (joystick)
Kayu ria ialah peranti penunjuk yang mempunyai lengan yang boleh digerakkan ke beberapa arah bagi memandu kursor atau objek grafik lain pada skrin komputer.
Pengimbas Optikal
Pengimbas optikal menggunakan peralatan pengesan cahaya untuk menukar imej seperti gambar atau teks kepada isyarat elektronik yang boleh dimanipulasi oleh komputer. Dua jenis pengimbas yang biasa ialah "flatbed scanner" yang seperti fungsi mesin fotostat dan pengimbas "hand held" yang dilalukan ke atas imej untuk diproses.
Mikrofon
Mikrofon ialah peranti yang menukarkan bunyi kepada isyarat yang kemudiannya boleh disimpan, dimanipulasi dan dimainkan semula oleh komputer.
Modul Pengecam Suara
Modul pengecam suara ialah peranti yang menukarkan percakapan kepada maklumat yang boleh dicam dan diproses oleh komputer.
Modem
Modem ialah peranti yang menghubungkan komputer dengan talian telefon dan membenarkan maklumat dihantar atau diterima dari/ke komputer lain. Setiap komputer yang menghantar atau menerima maklumat mestilah disambungkan kepada modem. Maklumat yang dihantar dari sebuah komputer akan ditukar kepada isyarat audio oleh modem yang mana dihantar melalui talian telefon kepada modem penerima yang menukar semula isyarat kepada maklumat yang mana komputer yang sebagai penerima dapat memahaminya. Modem merupakan peranti yang sangat diminati pada masa hari ini. Hal ini disebabkan perkembangan pantas internet memerlukan pengguna melengkapkan PC dengan modem bagi sambungan Internet. Modem merupakan peranti yang dapat menukarkan isyarat digital yang digunakan oleh komputer kepada isyarat analog yang mana digunakan dalam talian telefon dan sebaliknya. Jenis modem adalah dibezakan oleh kepantasan penghantaran data misalnya 14.4 kilobait per saat , 28.8 Kbps, 33.6 Kbps dan 56.6 Kbps. Dengan modem yang lebih pantas, pengguna dapat mengurangkan masa untuk mendapatkan data.
Terdapat dua kategori modem di pasaran iaitu modem dalaman (internal modem) dan modem luaran (external modem). Modem dalaman berbentuk kad yang dimasukkan ke dalam slot tambahan pada papan litar utama. Modem luaran pula disambungkan ke pelabuhan (port) dan memerlukan bekalan kuasa yang berasingan.
Perkakasan Output
Paparan Video
Paparan video atau skrin, menukarkan maklumat yang dijanakan oleh komputer kepada maklumat visual. Paparan biasanya terdiri daripada dua bentuk iaitu skrin video dengan "cathode ray tube" (CRT) dan skrin video dengan "liquid crystal display" (LCD). Skrin berasaskan CRT, atau monitor adalah seperti set televisyen. Maklumat dari CPU dipaparkan dengan menggunakan pancaran elektron yang mengimbas permukaan "phosphorescent" yang mengeluarkan cahaya dan membentuk imej. Skrin berasaskan LCD memaparkan maklumat visual pada skrin datar. Ia biasanya digunakan pada komputer laptop atau notebook.
Pencetak
Pencetak mengambil teks dan imej dari komputer dan mencetaknya di atas kertas. Pencetak matriks bintik (dot matrix) menggunakan dawai halus untuk menghentak "ribbon" bagi membentuk aksara. Pencetak laser menggunakan sinaran cahaya untuk melukis imej di atas "drum" dan kemudiannya mengutip zarah hitam halus yang dipanggil "toner". Toner dipindahkan ke atas kertas bagi menghasilkan imej. Pencetak pancut dakwat (ink jet) menembak titisan dakwat ke atas kertas untuk membentuk aksara dan gambar.
Perkakasan Storan
Perkakasan storan menyediakan storan kekal bagi maklumat dan program untuk diambil oleh komputer. Dua jenis peranti yang utama ialah pemacu cakera dan ingatan (memory).
Ingatan
Ingatan merujuk kepada cip komputer yang menyimpan maklumat yang dapat diakses dengan cepat oleh CPU. Ingatan Capaian Rawak (Random Access Memory - RAM) digunakan untuk menyimpan maklumat dan arahan yang diperlukan untuk melaksanakan program komputer. P:rogram akan dipindahkan dari storan pada pemacu cakera kepada RAM. RAM ialah tempat storan sementara yang mana isi kandungannya akan hilang apabila bekalan kuasa diputuskan.
Dengan saiz RAM yang lebih besar, pengguna dapat menikmati persembahan yang lebih pantas terutama ketika menggunakan sistem operasi Windows 95 atau perisian-perisian yang canggih. Dengan saiz RAM yang besar juga, operasi multitasking dapat dilaksanakan dengan lebih pantas. Contoh operasi multitasking adalah apabila kita membuka lebih daripada satu perisian serentak - misalnya Word, Excel dan Powerpoint.
RAM terdiri daripada litar yang diletakkan di atas papan kecil dengan jejari untuk dimasukkan ke dalam slot tertentu pada papan litar utama. RAM jenis lama mempunyai 30 pin sementara kebanyakan sistem hari ini menggunakan RAM 72 pin. Selain dari jumlah jejari yang berbeza, kebanyakan PC hari ini juga menggunakan ingatan jenis EDO (Extended Data Out) yang lebih pantas daripada ingatan jenis lama seperti Fast Page.
Terdapat jenis memori baru yang dipanggil "Synchronous DRAM"(SDRAM) yang memberi persembahan baik dan harganya semakin menghampiri harga memori EDORAM. SDRAM menghasilkan kadar hantaran lebih pantas di antara CPU dan memori.
Jumlah ingatan yang boleh dimasukkan dalam sesebuah PC bergantung kepada jumlah bank ingatan pada papan litar utama. (syarat: Pastikan anda memeriksa spesifikasi sistem dan konfigurasi susunan pada bank sebelum membeli dan menambah ingatan)
Ingatan Baca Sahaja (Read Only Memory - ROM) mengandungi maklumat dan perisian kritikal yang kekal agar komputer dapat beroperasi. ROM ialah ingatan yang tidak meruap kerana cip ingatan tidak akan kehilangan maklumat apabila bekalan kuasa diputuskan.
Selain memori, komponen yang berupaya mengurangkan masa bagi melaksanakan sesuatu tugas ialah cache memori yang dipanggil cache aras 2 (Level 2 - L2). Cache L2 menjadi sumber terdekat bagi prosesor mendapat data dan pada kadar lebih pantas berbanding RAM.
Seperti komponen lain, saiz cache L2 ialah 512KB. Dengan saiz lebih besar, lebih banyak kod boleh disimpan dan dihantar kepada pemproses. Ia berfungsi menyimpan data/arahan yang kerap diminta oleh CPU.
Pemacu Cakera
Terdapat beberapa jenis pemacu cakera : cakera keras, cakera liut, cakera magneto optical, CD-ROM dan ZIP.
Cakera Keras. Komponen ini dianggap sebagai gudang atau stor yang menyimpan data. Semua maklumat ditulis dan dibaca ke/dari cakera keras. Cakera keras yang terdapat di pasaran hari ini berupaya menyimpan antara dua hingga tujuh gigabait data. Keupayaannya terus ditingkatkan dengan beberapa syarikat sedang membangunkan cakera dengan storan 9GB. Dengan saiz aplikasi terutama dengan gabungan video dan audio, pemilihan cakera keras dengan storan lebih tinggi ialah pilihan terbaik. Selain saiz, persembahan cakera keras turut berbeza dan dipengaruhi oleh kepantasan akses, pusingan setiap minit (RPM) dan saiz cache sesuatu cakera. Lebih pantas masa akses dan lebih tinggi RPM, maka lebih pantas persembahan cakera dan secara langsung meningkatkan keupayaan PC.
Terdapat cakera keras yang menyokong standard IDE dan SCSI. Daripada kajian, cakera keras SCSI lebih pantas tetapi harganya lebih tinggi. Selain itu, cakera keras jenis ini memerlukan pengawal SCSI (SCSI Controller). Kebanyakan PC hari ini dilengkapkan dengan cakera keras jenis IDE. Komponen ini tidak memerlukan kad tambahan dan boleh dipasang terus ke dalam sistem dengan sokongan EIDE. Persembahan cakera EIDE juga semakin pantas dengan peningkatan masa carian dan masa akses.
Pemacu CD-ROM. Selain pemacu cakera liut 3.5 inci, kebanyakan PC hari ini dilengkapkan dengan pemacu CD-ROM. Berbanding dengan pemacu cakera liut, pemacu CD-ROM dapat menyimpan sejumlah data yang besar sehingga 650 MB. Bagaimanapun pengguna hanya boleh membaca isi kandungan CD-ROM dan tidak boleh menulis ke atasnya.
Kelajuan pemacu biasanya dilabel sebagai 4X, 6X, 8X, 10X, 16X, 20X,24X dsb dikira berdasarkan pusingan. Kebanyakan pemacu CD-ROM pada hari ini berpusing pada kadar 16X iaitu kadar data boleh dihantar ke cakera keras. Pemacu CD-ROM 16X sangat mencukupi bagi penggunaan seharian serta aplikasi multimedia.
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) Teknologi cakera CD yang paling mendapat perhatian pada hari ini ialah DVD. Kelebihan utama DVD berbanding dengan CD-ROM ialah keupayaan storan yang 10 kali lebih besar berbanding dengan CD tradisional. Keupayaan storan tinggi ini membolehkan kandungan multimedia berkualiti seperti cakera laser dapat disimpan dalam satu CD. Contohnya, sebuah filem 120 minit hanya boleh disimpan dalam dua keping CD-ROM. Dengan menggunakan DVD, semua kandungan filem dapat dimasukkan. Cakera DVD hari ini mempunyai kapasiti 4.7GB (single sided). Walau bagaimanapun cakera DVD hanya boleh dibaca sahaja.
Pemacu ZIP (ZIP Drive Penyimpanan data menggunakan pemacu ZIP mula mendapat perhatian kerana keupayaannya menyimpan data lebih besar serta fungsi mudah alih data dalam cakera seperti kaedah cakera liut. Secara umum, pemacu ZIP berfungsi seperti pemacu cakera liut, perbezaannya hanya dari segi kapasiti storan di mana setiap cakera ZIP boleh menyimpan sehingga 100MB data.
Terdapat dua jenis pemacu ZIP, iaitu jenis yang dipasang seperti pemacu cakera liut manakala satu jenis lagi dipasang di luar (external). Walau bagaimanapun kedua-duanya mempunyai kapasiti storan yang sama.
Sambungan Perkakasan
Untuk berfungsi, perkakasan memerlukan sambungan fizikal bagi membenarkan komponen-komponen berkomunikasi dan berinteraksi. Bas menyediakan sistem sambungan litar yang mengkoordinasi dan menggerakkan maklumat antara bahagian-bahagian dalam komputer. Bas komputer mempunyai dua rangkaian, satu yang digunakan oleh CPU bagi menempatkan data yang dipanggil "address bus" dan satu lagi untuk menghantar data kepada alamat tersebut yang dipanggil "data bus". Bas ditentukan melalui dua ciri iaitu berapa banyak maklumat dapat dimanipulasi pada satu masa yang dipanggil lebar bas (bus width) dan satu lagi berapa cepat komponen ini dapat menghantar data tersebut.
Sambungan bersiri merupakan wayar atau set wayar yang digunakan untuk memindahkan maklumat dari CPU kepada peranti luar seperti tetikus, papan kekunci, modem, pengimbas dan beberapa jenis pencetak. Jenis sambungan ini hanya memindahkan satu data pada satu-satu masa, jadi komponen ini adalah lambat. Kelebihan menggunakan sambungan bersiri ialah komponen ini menyediakan sambungan yang efektif pada jarak yang jauh.
Sambungan selari menggunakan set wayar untuk memindahkan satu blok maklumat serentak. Kebanyakan pengimbas dan pencetak menggunakan jenis sambungan ini. Sambungan selari lebih laju daripada sambungan bersiri, tetapi jaraknya adalah terhad (kurang dari 3 m), antara CPU dan peranti luaran sahaja.
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