Introducing Networksand the Internet

Mrs. WilsonRocky Point High School

Desktop Computing

•HARDWARE: Physical Components

Input/OutputDevices

• Data and instructions are entered into a computer using input devices.– Can you name any?

• Processed data is conveyed using output devices.

– Can you name any?

Examples of Input Devices

• Keyboard• Mouse• Scanner • Microphone• Digital Camera• CD-RW/DVD drive

• Disk Drive

Examples of Output Devices

• Monitors• Printers• CD-RWs• Disk Drives• Memory Keys• Speakers

Peripheral Devices

• In computing, any item connected to a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) through a port. – Ports can be USB, Bluetooth, FireWire, parallel and

serial.

• Typical peripherals include keyboard, mouse, monitor, and printer.

• Users who enjoy playing games might add a joystick or a trackball.

Hardware & Software

• Hardware– Physical components– You can “touch” them

• Software– You cannot “touch” it– Comes on CD ROMs

– Can be downloaded– Can be developed– Operating/Application

CPU—Central Processing Unit

• The CPU (Central Processing Unit) or processor processes data and controls the flow of data between the computer’s other units.

• Manufacturers– Intel

– AMD

• Processors are identified by a model name or number, such as Pentium® 4, Itanium® 2, and Opteron™. The Intel Pentium 4 (P4) CPU has a clock rate of 3.06 GHz.

Memory… Try to Remember!

• Memory in the form of integrated circuits (ICs) store data electronically.

• ROM (Read Only Memory) contains the most basic operating instructions for the computer. The data in ROM is a permanent part of the computer and cannot be changed.

• RAM (Random Access Memory), also called primary or main memory, is memory where data and instructions are stored temporarily.

Real-Time Clock

• A battery chip called a real-time clock keeps track of the date and time in a computer EVEN when the computer is off.

• When the first true personal computer, the Apple II, was introduced in 1978, the state of the art did not include computers having clocks.

Software & Programs

• Operating system software is run automatically when the computer is turned on and enables the user to communicate with the computer with input devices, such as the mouse and keyboard.

• Applications software is written by programmers to perform a specific task, such as a word processor.

Mobile Computing (Page 3)

• Improved technology

• Computers come in all sizes and shapes

– Notebooks– Tablets

– Handhelds– Smart Phones– “Wearables”

Bluetooth• Bluetooth is a wireless technology used to allow mobile

computing devices to communicate.

• It is used for short-range connections between desktop and laptop computers, PDAs (like the Palm Pilot or Handspring Visor), digital cameras, scanners, cellular phones, and printers.

• The technology is based on radio waves, there can be objects or even walls placed between the communicating devices and the connection won't be disrupted.

• Also, Bluetooth uses a standard 2.4 GHz frequency so that all Bluetooth-enabled devices will be compatible with each other.

• The only drawback of Bluetooth is that, because of its high frequency, its range is limited to 30 feet.

Cross-Platform Connectivity

• The ability for one type of PC to link to and share data with a different type of PC.

• Notebook and desktop PCs typically have good cross-platform connectivity.

Terms to Know

• Bluetooth• Handheld Computers• Mobile Computing• Software• Hardware

• Scanner

• Printer• Peripheral• CPU• Ports• Processors

• Real-time Clock