MAC OS – Unit A

Page: 2-3, 4-5

Investigating Types of Computer

Examining Computer Systems

Investigating Types of Computers

A computer is an electronic device that accepts information and instructions from a user, manipulates the information according to the instructions and displays the information in a way

Computers are classified by their size, speed and capabilities

Investigating Types of Computers

Three types of computers

Personal Computers

Hand-held Computers

Mainframe Computers

Types of Computers- Personal Computers

Personal Computers: are typically computers used by a single user either at home or office.

Common uses for personal computers are word processing, working with photographs, exchanging email and accessing the internet.

A personal computer is available as: Desktop computer: designed to sit on a desk Notebook computer: known as laptop computer Tablet PC: has the ability to recognize handwriting

on screen.

Tablet PC

Notebook Computer

Desktop Computer

Quick Quiz

The three available types of personal computers are: Desktop computer Notebook computer Tablet PC

Types of Computers- Handheld Computers

Handheld computers are small computers that fit in the palm of your hand. They have more limited capabilities than personal computers.

Handheld computers are available as: PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant): used as an

organizer to maintain appointments and address book, send /receive emails and make phone calls.

MP3 players: used to store and play music Cell Phones: used to make telephone calls and store

contact information

PDA

Cell Phone

MP3 Player

Types of Computers - Mainframes

Mainframe computers: are used by large business and government agencies to provide centralized storage, processing and management for large amounts of data.

The largest and fastest computers are called super computers. They are used by large cooperation and government agencies. (Figure A-3, page 3)

Supercomputers

Examining Computer Systems

A computer system includes computer hardware and software.

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer.

Software refers to the intangible components of a computer such as programs, list of instructions that the computer needs to perform a certain task

Overview of Computer Components

1. Architecture/Configuration: is the design and construction of a computer.

2. Specification: are the technical details about each hardware component.

3. Data: refers to the words, numbers, figures, sounds and graphics that describe people, events, things and ideas,

4. Processing: is modifying data.

5. Motherboard: is located inside the computer where all the processing tasks take place. It is a circuit board.

6. Circuit Board: is a piece of insulating material called circuits, electrical path that control a specific function.

Overview of Computer Components – Cont.

7. CPU: also called micro processer. It is the processor that consists of transistors and electronic circuits on a silicon chip. (Figure A-5)

- How fast the computer words depends on the speed of the processor. The speed is measured in clock speed (MHz), word size (amount of data processed at one time), whether it is a single (one) or dual (two) core processor

8. Cards: are removable circuit boards that are inserts into slots in the motherboard to expand the capabilities of the motherboard.

9. Input: data or instruction that you type into the computer.

10. Output: is the result of processing the input.

11. Peripheral devices: are additional components that the computer uses to accomplish input, output and storage functions.

Input / Output Devices

Input Devices: are devices used to enter data or issue a command. Example: keyboard, mouse, microphone

Commands: are input instructions that tell the computer how to process data.

Output Devices: are devices used to display output data such as monitor or printer.

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