GUIDE TO IDENTIFYINGCOMPUTERS

Mrs. Staniec

Objectives:1. Identify different types of computer

devices.

2. Identify the role of the central processing unit.

3. Identify the difference between an operating system and application software.

Computers are EVERYWHERE!

What is a COMPUTER?

An electronic device, operating under the

control of instructions stored in its own

memory unit, that can accept data

(input), manipulate the data according to

specified rules (process), produce

information (output) from the processing,

and store the results for future use.

Brief History of Computers A computer originally meant a

mathematician. Gradually developed into machines. The 1st computer in the computing world

is known as ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator).

ENIAC

Computer Anatomy Computers have three main

components:

1. Hardware

2. Operating System

3. Applications

COMP

UTER

S

Hardware

Speaker

MouseKeyboard

Monitor

Tower Case

• The physical components of a computer system.

Operating System• Program that controls the computer,

enabling the hardware and application software to work together.

• For example, Windows 7, Mac OS X, etc.

Applications• Set of instructions that performs tasks and extends the functions of the computer.

• Also known as a program or software.

How Computers Work Three stage

process:1. Input2. Processing 3. Output

Categories of Computers Mainframes (1940s -

1970s) Big Powerful Support many users

Supercomputers Large mainframe Hundreds of CPUs Single task focus

For example, tallying census results

Categories of Computers Minicomputers

Older Like small

mainframes

Categories of Computers Microcomputers

Originally for single user

Called PCs Desktop systems Portable systems

Categories of Computers Handheld Computing

Devices Smartphone GPS Apple iPod E-Book Reader

Connecting Computer Systems

Microcomputers Decentralized processing Flexible storage

Decentralized Centralized on server

Sharing of resources through networks LAN (Local Area Network) WAN (Wide Area Network) Wireless (WiFi)

Connecting Computer Systems

Connecting to the Internet Single computing device or LAN (Local Area

Network) Use routers to connect

Microcomputer Networks Sharing resources

Storage

Printers

Scanners

Applications

In-class Activity Complete Chapter 1 Review Questions