D. Beecroft Fremont High School 2009-2010 Types of Computers & Computer Hardware

D. Beecroft Fremont High School2009-2010

Types of Computers & Computer Hardware


Basic Terminology Computer

An electronic device capable of interpreting and executing program instructions and data and performing the required operations to produce the desired results.

Hardware All of the physical devices or

equipment that make up a computer system.

Software Programs containing instructions

that direct the operation of the computer system and the written documentation that explains how to use the programs.

Network A group of two or more

computers, software, and other devices that are connected by means of one or more communications media.

Peripheral devices Used to expand the computer’s

input, output and storage capabilities.


Basic Terminology Input

Data that is read into a computer or other device. Data

Raw, unprocessed information. Information

Data that has been processed so as to make it useful for a specific purpose.

Output Information that is written or displayed as a result of computer

processing or the act of writing or displaying such data. Information Processing Cycle

A cycle during which information is entered, processed, outputted, and/or stored by a computer.

Memory A place for storage, temporary or permanent, of data, programs, or

instructions.


Types of Computers


Desktop Microcomputer

Implies stationary use.


Laptop or Notebook Computer

A portable computer.


Workstation

A computer (and often the surrounding area) that has been configured to perform a certain set of tasks, such as photo editing, audio recording, or video production.


Supercomputer

The fastest, most powerful computer designed for multiple uses.


Mainframe

A large computer capable of accommodating multiple users.


Server

Storage; memory; accessed remotely by users.


Handheld

Fits in your hand; i.e., palm pilot.


Computer Hardware


System unit

The main part of a personal computer system that contains the motherboard and other components necessary for processing information.


CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The part of a computer that interprets and carries out instructions that operate the computer and manages the computer’s devices and resources.


Input Device

Any hardware component that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer system.

Keyboards, point-and-click devices, and scanners are among the more popular input devices.


Keyboard

An electronically controlled hardware component used to enter alphanumeric data (letters, numbers, and special characters.)


Mouse

An input device that, when moved about on a flat surface, causes a pointer on the screen to move in the same direction.


Sound Card

A plug-in card that records and plays back sound.


Modem

A hardware device that translates signals from digital to analog and from analog to digital; making it possible for digital computers to communicate over analog telephone lines.


Output Devices

Any peripheral that presents output from the computer.

Typical output devices are the monitor, speakers, and the printer.


Monitor

The screen, or display, on which computer output appears.. Resolution

A measurement of the sharpness of an image displayed on a computer monitor or other output device; resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi), both vertically and horizontally, with higher resolution achieved by more dots per inch.

Pixels The smallest picture element that a computer monitor or other device can

display and from which graphic images are built.


Input AND Output ~ I/O

Transferring data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input into another.

Examples: Disk drives (all types) Modem Touch screen monitor


Printer

The most common type of hard-copy output device that produces output in a permanent form.


Speakers

Computer devices that produce warning sounds to alert the user to errors or other matters that require attention and, with a computer equipped a powerful sound card can output high-quality sound from CD-ROMs, MIDI keyboards, or the Internet.


Resources

Fuller, Floyd. Computers: Navigating Change. EMC Paradigm, 2002.

Parsons, June Jamrich, and Dan Oja. Computer Concepts. Boston: Course Technology - Thompson Learning, 2002.

http://cil.usu.edu/comptech/OSTutorial/

Documents

D. Beecroft Fremont High School 2009-2010 Types of Computers & Computer Hardware