Unit Computer Hardware and Software

Contents
Starting with You Why is it
important to organize files Tech Talk: Introducing Your Computer
on your computer? To find
out, go to the Online  Types of Computers
Learning Center at
concepts.glencoe.com.
 Hardware Basics
Choose Before You Read  Computer Memory and Storage Basics
Quizzes and take the Unit
2 Pre-Quiz.
 Software Basics
 Computer Network Basics

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies,

Technology Inc. All rights reserved.
in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer
pg. 41-50

Key Terms You Will Learn

personal computer (PC)
central processing unit  How computers work
(CPU)  To identify hardware
bit
byte
 How memory and storage are used
hardware  To identify software
input  How networks work
output
random-access
memory (RAM)
read-only memory
(ROM)
storage device
software
operating system (OS)
network

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Types of Computers pg. 41-42

personal computer Computers can be grouped by size, purpose, and number

(PC) of users.
A computer used by
one person at a time. Type of Computer Number of Size Typical User/Purpose
(pg. 41) User at One
Time
Personal One Fits on a desk, Used by individuals for
computer (PC) on a lap, or in organizing information,
(microcomputer) a hand creating products, and
entertainment
Minicomputer Several to Occupies part Used by small to medium-
hundreds of a room sized organizations, such
as schools
Mainframe (super Thousands Room-sized Used by large corporations
computer) and government agencies

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Types of Computers pg. 41-42

PCs and Macs

Personal computers are grouped by the software they use:
 PC - uses the Microsoft Windows operating system
 Mac - uses the Macintosh operating system

Examples of personal computers are:

 Desktops
 Laptops
 MP3 players
 Personal digital assistants (PDAs)

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Types of Computers

central processing How Does My Computer Work?

unit (CPU) The “brain” of a computer is the central processing unit
A microprocessor, or
(CPU). When the CPU receives and carries out an
tiny computer chip,
that receives and instruction, it has completed one cycle.
carries out all the
instructions given to a Computer’s speed = number of cycles completed in one
computer. (pg. 42)
second

Cycles are measured in:

Megahertz (MHz) = millions of cycles per second
Gigahertz (GHz) = billions of cycles per second

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Types of Computers pg. 41-42

bit Bits, Bytes, and Binary Numbers

The smallest unit of Bits and bytes are small pieces of computerized data that
computerized data. (pg.
communicate commands to a computer’s CPU:
42)
 A bit is either a 1 or a 0 (binary digits).
byte  A byte contains eight bits.
The building block for
all information that Each letter in the English language is represented by
flows through a one byte.
computer. (pg. 42)

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Types of Computers pg. 41-42

How Big Is a Terabyte?

Common storage units:
 Kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 bytes
 Megabyte (MB) = 1,000 bytes, or 1 million (1,000,000)
bytes
 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,000 MB, or 1 billion (1,000,000,000)
bytes
 Terabyte (TB) = 1,000 GB, or 1 trillion
(1,000,000,000,000) bytes

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Types of Computers

Compare and Contrast What are some similarities and differences

between mainframe computers and personal computers?
Some similarities are:
 Both have a central processing unit (CPU).
 Both read only 1s and 0s.
 Both recognize and process bits and bytes.
 For both, speed is determined by cycles per second.
Some differences are:
 Mainframes are very large. PCs can be very small.
 Mainframes can be used by thousands of people at once. PCs can only be
used by one person at a time.
 Mainframes are used by corporations and government agencies. PCs are
used by individuals, like students!
Technology in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer
Hardware Basics pg. 43-44

Your computer may use hardware like the components

hardware shown here.
The collection of
physical pieces, or
components, that
make up a computer.
(pg. 43)

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Hardware Basics pg. 43-44

Hardware can be inside or outside the computer:

 The CPU and hard drive are inside the computer.
 The keyboard, monitor, and printer are outside the
computer and must be connected by cables.

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Hardware Basics pg. 43-44

input What Are Input and Output Devices?

Information that is Information flows between you and your computer through
entered into a
input and output devices. Examples of input devices are:
computer. (pg. 44)
 keyboard
output  mouse
Information that a  scanner
computer produces  digital camera
and delivers back to  joystick
the user. (pg. 44)
Examples of output devices are:
 monitor
 printer
 speakers

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Hardware Basics

Identify Name three hardware components that are also input devices,
and three hardware components that are also output devices. (Try to think
of input and output devices that have not been mentioned yet.)

Input devices include: Output devices include:

 digital camera monitor
 joystick printer
 keyboard projector
 microphone speakers
 mouse
 scanner
 touch screen
 trackball
Technology in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer

Computer Memory and Storage Basics pg. 45-46

read-only memory When Do I Use RAM and ROM?

(ROM) When you use your computer to perform any type of task,
Memory that
you are using two types of memory:
permanently stores
data and that cannot
be erased or changed. Type of Memory What Does It Do? When Is It Used?
(pg. 45)
Read-only Stores permanent When you turn a
random-access memory (ROM) information like telling computer on or off
memory (RAM) the computer how to
Temporary memory start up
that a computer uses
to store data and Random-access Stores temporary When you start and
process information memory (RAM) information when you use software
while working in a are working in a file
program. It is erased
when the computer is
turned off. (pg. 45)
Technology in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer
Computer Memory and Storage Basics pg. 45-46

storage device How Is Information Stored?

Computer equipment When you save a file, you move the information from RAM
used to store data.
to a storage device. The type of storage device depends on
Examples of storage
devices are hard drive, how much space is needed. Music and video files require
network server, floppy more storage space than text files.
disk, CD, DVD, and
USB flash drive. (pg.
46)

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
Hardware Basics

Explain What do ROM and RAM stand for, and what do they do?

ROM: RAM:
 Stands for read-only memory  Stands for random-access
 Is permanent memory memory
 Works when you turn a  Is temporary memory
computer on or off  Works when you start and
 Stores data even when a use software
computer is turned off  Stores data only while a
computer is on

Technology in Your Life Unit

 Introducing Your Computer
software
A set of instructions, also
called a program or
application, that tells a
computer how to perform
tasks. (pg. 47)
operating system (OS)
Software that controls all
the other software
programs and allows a
computer to perform
basic tasks. (pg. 47)
Software Basics pg. 47-48
Software is the set of instructions that lets you “talk” to your
computer. Software translates commands into bits and
bytes. Different types of software have different functions:
 Operating system (OS) software - makes your
computer work
 Application software - lets you do different tasks on
your computer
 Utility software - helps you maintain your computer and
keep it in good running condition
Technology in Your Life Unit
Introducing Your Computer
Software Basics pg. 47-48

How Do I Use Software?

It is important to choose the right software program for the
type of task you want to do:

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Software Basics pg. 47-48

What Is an Operating System?

The operating system (OS) controls all other software and
allows the hardware devices to work properly. Some popular
operating systems are:
 Microsoft Windows - for PCs
 Mac OS - for Apple computers
 Linux - for very large network computers
 Handheld operating systems - for PDAs, MP3 players,
and cell phones

What Is a GUI?
Nearly all modern operating systems use a graphical user
interface (GUI). This lets users click on images or text
on the screen instead of having to type commands.
Technology in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer
Software Basics

Draw Conclusions What types of software could you use to accomplish

your school tasks?
Possible types of software and sample tasks you could accomplish with them are:
Type of Software Sample Task
Web browsers Conduct Internet research
Instant messaging Communicate with friends
E-mail Send a file to your teacher
Word processing Write a letter, paper, or essay
Presentation Create a slide show
Spreadsheet Make calculations
Database Organize and access large amounts of information, such as
at a library
Technology in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer
Computer Network Basics pg. 49

network A computer network is a group of computers connected

A group of computers together. Networks allow people to share:
connected together,
 information
often through a central
server, using  hardware
telephone lines,  storage devices
cables, satellite links,  Internet connections
radio, and/or other
communication A network allows you to send data back and forth between
devices. (pg. 49) different computers, servers, storage devices, and shared
output devices:

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Computer Network Basics pg. 49

The Internet is the biggest network there is. Types of

networks are:
 Local-area network (LAN) - covers a small area, such
as a school or office
 Wide-area network (WAN) - covers a large geographic
area, such as an international corporation
 Intranet - lets people within an organization or business
share information

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Tech Talk Assessment pg. 50

Identify What are some activities for which you might use
computer networks?

Possible answers include:

 Send and receive e-mail
 Surf the Internet
 Access the school library
 Share information
 Share documents
 Share hardware, such as printers and scanners
 Share Internet connections

Technology in Your Life Unit

Introducing Your Computer
Tech Talk Assessment pg. 50

Analyze If your teacher asked you to write a paper using a

computer, how would the following help you?
A. ROM
B. RAM
C. Application software
D. Storage devices

A. ROM would let you turn your computer on and start

the operating system.
B. RAM would let you use software, such as word
processing, to perform tasks.
C. Application software, such as word processing
software, would let you create a text document.
D. Storage devices would let you save files without
having to print them on paper.
Technology in Your Life Unit
 Introducing Your Computer
Tech Talk Assessment pg. 50

Compare How is a computer’s central processing unit

(CPU) similar to the human brain?
Self-Check Assess your
understanding of what you The CPU receives input, interprets its meaning, and
read. Go to the Online responds by processing it. Similarly, the human brain
Learning Center at
concepts.glencoe.com. receives input from the sense organs via the central nervous
Choose After You Read system, interprets its meaning, and responds.
Quizzes and take the Unit
2 Tech Talk Quiz.

Technology in Your Life Unit