HARDWAREHARDWARE

Components of Components of Computer HardwareComputer Hardware

Central Processing Unit Input Devices Output Devices Primary Storage Secondary Storage Communication Devices.

INPUT DEVICESINPUT DEVICES accept data and

instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand

OUTPUT DEVICESOUTPUT DEVICES present data in a form

people can understand

CENTRAL CENTRAL PROCESSING UNITPROCESSING UNIT manipulates the data and

controls the tasks done by the other components.

COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION DEVICESDEVICES

provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g., Internet, intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks.

STORAGE DEVICESSTORAGE DEVICES

The primary storage (internal storage) temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing. It also stores intermediate results of the processing.

The secondary storage (external) stores data and programs for future use.

Components of Components of Computer HardwareComputer Hardware

Hardware Hardware GenerationsGenerations

COMPUTER TIMECOMPUTER TIME

Millisecond .001 second thousand 15min 40 sec

Microsecond .001 millisecond million 11.6 days

Nanosecond .001microsecond billion 31.7 years

Picosecond .001 nanosecond trillion 31,700 years

Name Length Second To 1 SecondName Length Second To 1 Second

# Per Compared# Per Compared

TYPES OF TYPES OF COMPUTERS COMPUTERS based on based on Processing CapabilitiesProcessing Capabilities Supercomputers Mainframes Midrange computers

(Minicomputers & Servers) Microcomputers Mobile Devices

SUPERCOMPUTERSSUPERCOMPUTERS computers with the most processing

power used for scientific and military work especially valuable for large

simulation models of real-world phenomena, where complex mathematical representations and calculations are required, or for image creation and processing.

e.g. modeling the weather for better weather prediction; testing weapons nondestructively; designing of aircraft; making sequences in motion pictures

MAINFRAMESMAINFRAMES

are not as powerful and generally not as expensive as supercomputers

used by large corporations, where data processing is centralized and large databases are maintained

also allows large and complex information to be shared throughout the organization.

MIDRANGE MIDRANGE COMPUTERSCOMPUTERS

Minicomputers are smaller and less expensive than mainframe computers. Minicomputers are usually designed to accomplish specific tasks such as process control, scientific research, and engineering applications.

Servers typically support computer networks, enabling users to share files, software, peripheral devices, and other network resources.

MICROCOMPUTERSMICROCOMPUTERS

also called personal computers (PCs)

are the smallest and least expensive category of general-purpose computers.

Notebook computers are small, easily transportable, lightweight microcomputers that fit easily into a briefcase.

MOBILE DEVICESMOBILE DEVICES Platforms for computing and

communications include such mobile devices as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or handheld personal computers.

Another platform is mobile phone handsets with wireless and Internet access capabilities.

Usually, such devices would use a micro version of a desktop operating system, such as Pocket PC, Symbian, or Palm OS.