Types of Computers

Super Computer

 Used primarily by government, industry, and research

 Possesses huge amounts of computing power and multiple CPU’s (Central Processing
Unit)
 Main Frame
 Used by large businesses such as banks, airlines, insurance companies to store and
manipulate large amounts of information.
 Capable of multiprocessing
 Usually networked with minicomputers and/or workstations
 Personal Computer (PC) a.k.a. the microcomputer, desktop
 Designed for a single user and consists of its own CPU, input/output units, and power
supply

Laptop

 Possesses many of the same features as a PC in a portable size

 Many components in the laptop are designed to be smaller without sacrificing
performance
 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Used as personal organizers, word processors, email, internet access
 Embedded computers
 Used as control components in industrial equipment such as appliances and cars
(controlling lights, buttons, and very small graphics screens (odometer))
 Parts of computers

The silicon chip

 Every computer contains silicon chips

 The silicon chip has increased the speed that computers can perform tasks
 Computers can perform an operation in a trillionth of a second or perform millions of
calculations
 Silicon has also decreased significantly in size and cost over the years.
 As a result, computers today are much smaller, faster, and cheaper than they were 20
years ago

The tower case

 The tower case houses the brains of your computer and all the necessary devices to
process and store information.
 It contains (among other things) a case, a motherboard, a CPU, a hard drive, a modem or
network card, and sockets for any other devices you wish to connect to your computer
system.

Specifications

 When purchasing a computer, it is important to know what you are buying.

 The following is list of important specifications that should be considered when
purchasing a computer.
  Processor speed
 The speed at which the CPU is able to perform calculations
 Measured in megahertz (MHz) – 1 million cycles per second
 or gigahertz (GHz) – 1 billion cycles per second

RAM

 Temporary memory used to store files currently in use

 Measured in Bytes – (MB, GB)

Hard drive

 Amount of storage space for data – Measures in Bytes (Mega, Giga, Terra)
 Cache
 memory available for short term storage of information during processing.
 cache allows users to work on larger files without crashing
 System bus
 The speed of the connection between components
 Measured in megahertz (MHz)

Motherboard The motherboard is the core of the system. It really is the PC;
everything else is connected to it, and it controls everything in
the system. Microprocessors are covered in detail in Chapter 3,
"Microprocessor Types and Specifications."
Processor The processor is often thought of as the "engine" of the
computer. It's also called the CPU (central processing unit).
Memory (RAM) The system memory is often called RAM (for random access
memory). This is the primary memory, which holds all the
programs and data the processor is using at a given time.
Memory is covered in detail in Chapter 6, "Memory."
Case/chassis The case is the frame or chassis that houses the motherboard,
power supply, disk drives, adapter cards, and any other physical
components in the system. The case is covered in detail in
Chapter 21, "Power Supply and Chassis/Case."
Power supply The power supply is what feeds electrical power to every single
part in the PC. The power supply is covered in detail in Chapter
21.
Floppy drive The floppy drive is a simple, inexpensive, low-capacity,
removable-media, magnetic storage device.
Hard drive The hard disk is the primary archival storage memory for the
system. Hard disk drives are also covered in detail in Chapter
10, "Hard Disk Storage."
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM CD-ROM (compact disc read-only) and DVD-ROM (digital
 versatile disc read-only) drives are relatively high-capacity,
removable media, optical drives. These drives are covered in
detail in Chapter 13, "Optical Storage."
Keyboard The keyboard is the primary device on a PC that is used by a
human to communicate with and control a system. Keyboards
are covered in detail in Chapter 18, "Input Devices."
Mouse Although many types of pointing devices are on the market
today, the first and most popular device for this purpose is the
mouse. The mouse and other pointing devices are covered in
detail in Chapter 18.
Video card The video card controls the information you see on the monitor.
Video cards are covered in detail in Chapter 15, "Video
Hardware."
Monitor Monitors are covered in detail in Chapter 15.
Sound card It enables the PC to generate complex sounds. Sound cards and
speakers are covered in detail in Chapter 16, "Audio Hardware."
Modem Most prebuilt PCs ship with a modem (generally an internal
modem). Modems and other Internet-connectivity devices and
methods are covered in Chapter 19, "Internet Connectivity."