Hardware Components

Mouse

A mouse is a pointing device. You can move it round the screen and click icons. It has a scroller ball which you can move pages up and down. There is a left click and a right click that have different functions.

You can use a mouse to manipulate a digital graphic by resizing and cropping images. You can also use a mouse to add different effects.

Screen

A screen is used to display the images and writing. It also shows it in colour.

You can get different screen resolutions and you can adjust the screen to how it suits you.

You can use a monitor to manipulate digital graphics as it displays all your work in a high resolution.

Graphics Tablet

A graphics tablet is a hardware device that contains a stylus. Whatever you draw on the graphics tablets appears on the screen.

A graphics tablet can used to manipulate a digital graphic as you can draw your own images and edit them.

Digital Camera

It is used to take pictures that can be uploaded on to the computer.

It stores the photographs in a digital format.

You then edit pictures in whatever way you want.

Scanner

A scanner is used to change a photograph into a digital image on your computer.

A scanners quality is measured by how many dots per inch it recognises (DPI).

When the image is on your computer you are able to edit it.

The following link explains how to use a scanner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhd1kU5yIZQ



Flash Card

A flash card is a storage device that holds data.

They are most common in mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras.

It can be used to manipulate digital graphics as you are able to transfer images to different computers using
the flash card.

USB

A USB pen is also a storage device that holds pictures, music, videos and documents.

USB pens are mainly used in computers but can also be used to transfer data to televisions.

USB pens are used to manipulate digital graphics as you are able to transfer data to different computers.

Firewire

Firewire is a high-speed data serial bus.

It can move data up to 400 Mbps.

Firewire can be used to manipulate digital graphics as you can transfer data at a high speed.

Printer

A printer is an output device that prints text or illustrations on paper.

There are different types of printers such as laser, ink-jet and LED.

Printers can be used to manipulate digital graphics as you are able to print out your image that you have changed from your computer.