Resume Chapter 3

Karin Nafila
3H AKM/2042520075
Resume Ch3 – Computer Hardware

Categories of computer systems:

Computer systems are typically divided into three categories: microcomputers, midrange computers,
and mainframe computers. These differences, though, are not as obvious as they were a few years
ago. Microcomputers are now more potent than ever thanks to advances in technology, and both minis
and mainframes come in lower- and higher-end models. Within these limits, the following is typically
accurate:
 Microcomputers: These are the smallest types of computers, with sizes varying from desktop
personal computers to laptops to handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs). Although most
microcomputers are made for single-user purposes, they can be connected to network servers
using telecommunications.
 Midrange: Smaller and less powerful than most big mainframes, midrange or minicomputers
are larger and more powerful than most microcomputers. In both business and scientific
study, midrange systems are frequently used.
 Mainframes: massive, potent computers that can frequently occupy an entire room with
primary storage. (from 64 megabytes to several gigabytes of RAM). This function speeds up
the information processing on mainframes. (at 10 to 200 million instructions per second –
MIPS)
Computer system capabilities trends
A computer system is an interconnected collection of parts that work together to perform specific
tasks and offer end users a potent information-processing instrument. Since their inception,
computers have undergone significant change. As shown by the image,
 First Generation.
For their working and memory circuitry, first-generation computers (1951–1958) used hundreds or
thousands of vacuum tubes. These were large, room-sized computers that produced a lot of heat and
needed a lot of cooling and upkeep.
 Second Generation.
Transistors and other solid-state semiconductor devices were connected to circuit boards in second-
generation computers (1959–1963). Memory was stored on magnetic cores, and auxiliary storage was
done with removable magnetic disk packs and magnetic tape.
 Third Generation.
Third-generation computers (19654-1979) started utilizing coordinates circuits comprising of
thousands of transistors and other circuit components carved on minor chips of silicon permitting for
expanded memory and preparing speeds of a few millions of enlightening per moment (MIPS).
 Fourth Generation.
Fourth-generation computers (1979-present) utilize large-scale integration (LSI) and exceptionally
large-scale integration (VLSI) that pack hundreds of thousands or millions of transistors and other
circuit components on each chip.
 Fifth Generation.
The another era of computers ought to proceed the slant toward more control, more speed, littler
estimate, and longer terms of benefit. Fifth-generation computers may utilize superconductor circuits
or other creating innovations to handle and store data.
Microcomputer Systems
 Handheld Computers
PDA, Information Appliances
 Notebook Computers
 Desktop Computers
 Workstations
 Network Server
Powerful microcomputer used in small LANs

Network Computers and Terminals

 Network computers and terminals are emerging as the serious business-computing platform.
 Network Computers. Network computers (NC) are a microcomputer category designed
primarily for use with the Internet and corporate Intranets by clerical workers, operational
employees, and knowledge workers. NCs are low cost, sealed networked microcomputers
with no or minimal disk storage. As a result they depend on Internet and Intranet servers for
their operating system and web-browser, Java-enabled application software and data access
and storage.
 NC benefits include:
1. Lower purchase cost
2. Easier maintenance
3. Easier software distribution and licensing
4. Computer platform standardization
5. Reduced end user support requirements
6. Improved manageability
There are two types of Network Computers:
 NCs or Thin Clients.
 NetPC.
 Still another device becoming more popular is the network terminal, or window terminal.
 Network
 They typically use multiuser versions of windows 2000, Linux, or unit as the operating
system.
Computer System Components
A computer system is an interrelated combination of components performing specialized basic
functions to provide end users with a powerful information processing tool.
Key functions include:
 Input
 Processing
 Output
 Storage
 Control

Input Technology Trends

This figure emphasizes that there has been a major trend toward the increased use of input
technologies that provide a more natural user interface for computer users. You can now enter data
and commands directly and easily into a computer system through pointing devices like electronic
mice and touch pads, and technologies like optical scanning, handwriting recognition, and voice
recognition. These developments have made it unnecessary to always record data on paper source
documents (such as sales order forms, for example), and then keyboard the data into a computer in an
additional data entry step. Further improvements in voice recognition and other technologies should
enable an even more natural user interface in the future.
 Common Input Devices
 Keyboard Pointing Devices
 Pen Based Computing
 Speech Recognition
 Optical Scanning
 Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
 Smart Cards
 Digital Cameras
Output Technology Trends
This figure shows you the trends in output media and methods that have developed over the
generations of computing. As you can see, video displays and printed documents have been, and still
are, the most common forms of output from computer systems. But other natural and attractive output
technologies such as voice response systems and multimedia output are increasingly found along with
video displays in business applications.
For example, you have probably experienced the voice and audio output generated by speech and
audio microprocessors in a variety of consumer products. Voice messaging software enables PCs and
servers in voice mail and messaging systems to interact with you through voice responses. And of
course, multimedia output is common on web sites of the Internet and corporate intranets.
 Common Output Devices
 Video Output
 CRT
 LCD
 Printed Output
 Inkjet
 Laser
Common Output Devices
 Video displays and printed documents have been, and still are, the most common forms of
output from computer systems.
 Video images can serve as input as well as output.
 Cathode Rate Tube (CRT).
 Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs).
  Plasma Displays.
 Printed output on paper is still the most common form of output after video displays.
 Inkjet printers
 Laser printers

Storage Trends
 Data and information must be stored until needed using a variety of storage methods. For
example, many people and organizations still rely on paper documents stored in filing
cabinets as a major form of storage media. However, you and other computer users are more
likely to depend on the memory circuits and secondary storage devices of computer systems
to meet your storage requirements.
 Above figure illustrates major trends in primary and secondary storage methods. Progress in
very-large-scale integration (VLSI), which packs millions of memory circuit elements on tiny
semiconductor memory chips, is responsible for continuing increases in the main-memory
capacity of computers. Secondary storage capacities are also expected to escalate into the
billions and trillions of characters, due primarily to the use of optical media.
Characteristics of Magnetic Disks
 Magnetic disks are the most common form of secondary storage for modern computer
systems. Magnetic disks are thin metal or plastic disks that are coated on both sides with an
iron oxide recording material. Several disks can be mounted together vertically to increase
storage capacity. Electromagnetic read/write heads are positioned by access arms between the
slightly separated disks to read and write data on concentric, circular tracks (the unique
addresses for each data element). The most popular forms of magnetic disks include:
 Floppy Disks. Also called magnetic diskettes, these consist of polyester film disks covered
with an iron oxide compound. A single disk is mounted and rotates freely inside a protective
flexible or hard plastic jacket. Floppies are extremely portable, a 3.5” disk fitting into a shirt
pocket.
 Hard Disk Drives. The “hard drive” combines several magnetic disks, access arms, and
read/write heads into a sealed module. This allows higher speeds, greater data- recording
densities, and closer tolerances within a sealed, more stable environment.
 RAID. RAID stands for redundant arrays of inexpensive disks. They combine from 6 to over
100 small hard disk drives and their microprocessors into a single unit. RAIDs provide large
capacities with high speed access via parallel multiple paths from many disks. They are also
fault tolerant in that more than one copy of the data exists. If a track, sector, or disks fails,
backup is possible from one of the redundant disks.