Transcript Slide 1

Technology In Action
Technology In Action
Chapter 2
Looking at Computers:
Understanding the Parts
Chapter Topics
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The Varieties of Computers
Understanding Your Computer
Hardware components
Input devices
Output devices
Other devices
System unit
The Varieties of Computers
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Supercomputer
The Varieties of Computers
 Supercomputers
 Factoid: The fastest
computer in the world
 Speed: 1000 trillion
(1000 million million)
instructions per
second
– Cost $350 million
– Looks like rows of
refrigerator-size boxes
– NEC Earth Simulator
in Yokohama, Japan
All Computers, Great & Small:
The Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Mainframe
All Computers, Great & Small:
The Categories of Machines
• Mainframes
– Air traffic control
– Financial organizations
– Huge amount of data
processing and storage
Mainframe
All Computers, Great & Small:
The Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Workstation: Sun Ultra450
All Computers, Great & Small: The
Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
HP Compaq Business
d220 tower microcomputer
All Computers, Great & Small:
The Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Desktop
All Computers, Great & Small: The
Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Laptop computer
All Computers, Great & Small: The
Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Personal Digital Assistant
All Computers, Great & Small: The
Categories of Machines
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Supercomputers
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Mainframes
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Workstations
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Microcomputers
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Microcontrollers
Understanding Your Computer
The purpose of a computer is to process
data into information
Data
• The raw facts and
figures that are
processed into
information
Information
• Data that has been
summarized or
otherwise
manipulated for use in
decision making
Data and Information Example
What’s this?
Data and Information Example
River in Fall
Computers consist of hardware
and software
Hardware
• All the machinery and
equipment in a
computer system
• Tangible
Software
• All the instructions
that tell the computer
how to perform a task
• Non-tangible
Hardware
Input devices
Output devices
Other devices
System Unit
Peripheral Devices
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Keyboard
Mouse
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Keyboard
• The QWERTY
keyboard is standard
on most PCs
• Enhanced features
include number,
function and
navigation keys.
Specialty Keyboards
• Laptops
• PDAs
• Wireless
PDA
Laptop
Mouse
• Rollerball mouse
– Less expensive
– Harder to keep clean
Standard
Wireless
• Trackball
– Harder to control
– Stationary on desk
• Optical mouse
– Needs no mouse pad
– Doesn’t need cleaning
– More expensive
Trackball
Optical
Other Input Devices
Handheld
• Scanners
– Text
– Images
• Digital cameras
Flatbed
– Images
– Video
Camera
Camcorder
Input for the Physically Challenged
• Visually Impaired
– Voice recognition
– Keyboards with large keys
– On-screen keyboards
• Motor control
– Special trackballs
– Head-mounted devices
Inputting Sound
• Microphone Input
– Teleconferencing
– Voice over Internet
– Voice Recognition
Microsoft Voice Recognition
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Speakers
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
Monitor
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Communications
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Printer
Output Devices
• Retrieving information
from the computer
• Output devices
– Softcopy (video,
sounds, control
signals)
– Hardcopy (print)
Monitor Types
• CRT Cathode Ray Tube • LCD Liquid Crystal Display
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Less expensive
Use much more space
Uses more energy
Better viewing angles
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More expensive
Uses far less space
More energy efficient
Less viewable from an angle
Other Video Output
• Touch-screen monitors double as both
input and output devices.
• Data projectors project a computer image
to a large screen for sharing with large
groups.
Printers
• Impact printers
Inkjet
– Dot-matrix
• Nonimpact printers
– Inkjet
– Laser
– Multifunction
• Specialty printers
– Plotters
– Thermal printers
Dot-matrix
Laser
Multifunction
Plotter
Thermal printer
Nonimpact Printers
• Inkjet
– Less expensive device
– Full color printing
– Slower in pages per
minute (PPM)
– More expensive per
page in B&W
• Laser
– More expensive device
– Black and White (Color
lasers are very
expensive)
– Faster in PPM
– Less expensive in B&W
Outputting Sound
• Speakers and
Headphones
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Case or system cabinet
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Motherboard
How Computers Work
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
Central Processing Unit
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Communications
How Computers Work
• Input
• Processing
• Storage
• Primary storage - Memory
– RAM (Random Access
Memory) (volatile)
– ROM (Read Only
Memory) (permanent)
• Output
• Communications
RAM (Random access memory)
• Random-access memory (RAM) is a
form of computer data storage. Today, it
takes the form of integrated circuits that
allow stored data to be accessed in any
order with a worst case performance of
constant time. (Wikipedia)
ROM (Read only memory)
• Read-only memory (ROM) is a class of
storage medium used in computers and
other electronic devices. Data stored in
ROM cannot be modified. (Wikipedia)
How Computers Work
• Input
• Secondary storage
• Processing
• Storage
Floppy disk
• Output
• Communications
Zip disk
How Computers Work
• Input
• Secondary storage
• Processing
• Storage
• Output
Hard-disk drive
• Communications
Hard Disk Drive
• Stores data and program
instructions
• Permanent (nonvolatile)
storage
• Storage capacities up to
250 GB and higher
• Transfers data in
milliseconds
How Computers Work
• Input
• Secondary storage
• Processing
• Storage
• Output
• Communications
CD drive
The System Unit
Box that contains the
central electronic
components of the
computer:
– CPU/RAM/
motherboard
– Expansion cards
– Power supply
– Storage devices
The Front Panel
• Drive bays
• Memory card
reader
• Floppy drive
• Productivity
ports
• Power button
The Back
• Ports for peripheral devices
• Types of ports:
– Serial
– Parallel
– VGA
– USB
– Connectivity
Inside the System Unit
• Essential
electronic
components used
to process data
• Types of
components:
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Power supply
Hard disk drive
Motherboard
CPU
Expansion cards
The Motherboard
• CPU
• RAM
• Expansion
cards
• Chip set
• Built-in
components
Expansion Cards
• Adds functions
• Provides new connections for peripheral
devices
• Common types:
– Sound
– Modem
– Video (VGA)
– Network (NIC)
All computers follow the same five
basic operations
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Input
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Processing
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Storage
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Output
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Communications
Put all the hardware together
and…
Peripheral Devices
You still need the software!
• System software
• Helps the computer
perform essential
operating tasks and
enables the
application software
to run
• and…
You still need the software!
• Application software
• Enables you to
perform specific
tasks--solve
problems, perform
work, or entertain
yourself