Ins and Outs of Computers

Discover Computer Hardware

Discover Computer Categories

Produced by Amber Watkins, West Wendover Jr./Sr. High School Website: www.elko.k12.nv.us/wendover/Company.htm Email: misswats@yahoo.com

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Hardware?What is computer hardware?

When we talk about computer hardware, we are talking about the actual physical mechanical, electric, and electronic parts of the computer. The hardware uses the instructions from the software to complete the four main operations in a computer.

Software Main Operations

Computer Hardware TypesA computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. For each of the processes, there is a specific type of hardware that works to complete the task assigned. Lets discuss the four types of computer hardware:

InputProcessingStorageOutput

InputComputer input is whatever is put

into a computer system. Input is also means to feed information into a computer. Input can be supplied by a person, by the environment, or by another computer.Examples of input are words, pictures, audio, symbols in a document, numbers for a calculation, instructions for completing a process, signals from a microphone, etc.

Input HardwareInput hardware gathers and translates input into a form that the computer can process.

Common types of input hardware include:

MouseKeyboardTouch PadJoystickMicrophoneTouch ScreenScannersInfrared PortCamera

Input

Processing HardwareComputers manipulate data in many ways, and we all this manipulation “processing”. Some of the ways a computer can process data include performing calculations, sorting lists of words or numbers, modifying documents and pictures, and drawing graphics.

The common type of processing hardware includes:

CPU or Central Processing Unit

Storage HardwareA computer must store data so it is available for processing. The places a computer puts data are referred to as storage. The place where the computer stores data depends on how the data is being used.

Temporary storage (for data waiting to be processed) is the Memory or RAM cellsPermanent storage (for long-term storage) is in the hard drive, CD-ROM, zip drive, or floppy disk.

RAM

RAMRandom-Access Memory (RAM) Cells are hardware that will temporarily store information as electrical charges. The data is replaced continuously as it is processed. When the computer is turned off, all the data is erased.

Output HardwareOutput hardware displays, prints, or transfers the results of processing from the computer memory. Output hardware help us get the information out of the computer.

Common output hardware includes:

PrintersMonitorsSpeakers

Computer SystemA computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software.

SoftwareWhat is software?

Software is the set of instructions or computer program that tells the computer how to perform a specific task. A computer without software is like a CD-player without a CD. The computer hardware acts as the CD-player and the software acts as the CD, together they perform a task, playing music.

Hardware OperationsWhat are the four main operations of computer hardware?

Computer hardware performs four main operations: Input of data Output of information Processing of data Storage of information

Computer HistoryComputers have evolved through a long process of invention, correction, and improvement. The computers we have today are the result of many years of work.To see more about the development of the computer visit, online:

ReferencesParsons & Oja, New Perspectives Computer Concepts Comprehensive, 3rd Edition. Course Technology, ITP: San Francisco. 1998. www.course.com Carl Friend’s Minicomputer Museum, www.ultranet.com/~crfriend/museum Cray Inc. www.cray.com/products/systems/gallery IBM Inc. www.jp.ibm.com/large/hard/3000.html Dell Corporation www.dell.com The Computer History Center www.computerhistory.org The Computer Museum www.mos.org/tcm/tcm.html

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Categories of ComputersComputers traditionally have been divided into four categories, based on their technology, function, physical size, cost and performance.There are basically four categories of computers:

MicrocomputersMinicomputersMainframesSupercomputers

MicrocomputersMicrocomputers are also known as personal computers. These computers are usually found in homes and small businesses. The microcomputer you use might be a stand-alone unit, or it might be connected to other computers so you can share data and software with other users, over a network. A microcomputer usually carries out tasks for only one user at a time.

Stand-Alone

Network

MinicomputersAre somewhat larger than a microcomputer and can carry out the processing tasks for many users. If you use a minicomputer system, you use a terminal to input processing requests and view results.Minicomputer systems typically help small and medium-sized businesses perform specific tasks such as accounting payroll, and shipping.

Terminal

MainframesMainframes are large, fast, and

fairly expensive computers, generally used by businesses or government to provide central

storage, processing, and management for large amounts of data. As with a minicomputer, one mainframe computer carries out processing tasks for multiple users who input data through a terminal. Mainframes generally have more than one processing unit.

SupercomputersSupercomputers are the fastest

and most expensive type of computer. Supercomputers are used for tasks such as weather prediction, molecular modeling, code breaking, managing huge pools of information, completing data intensive tasks, etc. Many businesses use supercomputer technology to complete processes that would be lengthy.

TerminalA terminal is a device with a

keyboard and a screen used for input and output, but not for processing. It may resemble a

microcomputer because it has a keyboard and screen, but a terminal does not have any processing power of its own.

Stand-Alone ComputerA stand-alone computer is a

single computer that is not connected directly to a network. Most people use a stand-alone computer at home.

Your computer may be connected to the Internet, but it does not rely on the network to get information, share between users, etc.

NetworkA network is a group of

connected computers that allow users to share information.

The Internet is the largest network in the world.Many businesses, schools, and government organizations use a network to connect users. Many times microcomputers are used as terminals for a network.