UNIT 1
CHAPTER 1: DIGITAL DEVICES
Sub topic: Types of computers
(Pages 5-8)
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson students will be able
to differentiate between different types of
computers.
Reflection of the previous lesson
Fill in the blanks:
Input- _______________ -Output Model
Computer input is called _______________ and the output
obtained after processing it, based on user’s instructions is called
_______________ .
Raw facts and figures which can be processed using arithmetic (+ -
* /) and logical operations (> < = ≠) to obtain information are called
_______________
Any kind of computers consists of _______________ and
_______________.
Ice breaker
How many types of computers are there?
Introduction
There are many different types of
computer available today. They
range from giant super computers
right down to small hand-held
personal organizers.
Mainframes
Mainframes are large, powerful computers that can carry
out many different tasks for many different people at the
same time.
Mainframes can execute billions of instructions per second
and can process large amounts of data simultaneously.
They are used by large companies such as: Utility
companies, Banks, Insurance companies, Airlines, Police
Mainframe computers need to be operated by specialist,
trained staff.
Personal Computers
Modern PCs are very powerful and are now relatively
inexpensive. You will find very similar machines both
in the home and office environments.
PCs can carry out millions of calculations per second
and can store large amounts of data
Personal computers tend to be set up and left in one
place, they are not intended to be mobile or carried
around with you.
They are useful for lots of different types of tasks.
Laptop
A laptop is a portable computer which is mobile and
small enough to carry around with you.
Most laptops have an integrated keyboard which is
often smaller in size than a standard keyboard. They
also have a touchpad and buttons next to the
keyboard which can be used in place of a traditional
mouse.
Laptops have a battery inside that allows it to used
anywhere.
They have as much processing power, the same
amount of memory and large hard disks as of Personal
Computers along with the software applications that
you would use on a PC.
Tablet
A tablet computer is a mobile, quite thin
device, having a flat surface. The device can
be easily held in your hand.
It contains a touch screen which is operated
using your fingers in various ways such as
tapping, double tapping, swiping and pinching.
The screen view can be changed automatically
from landscape to portrait mode by simply by
changing the orientation of the tablet.
Smartphones
Quite recently the mobile phone has
developed into what is now called a
'smartphone’.
These are true multifunctional devices.
Yes, they can do all that mobiles can do
but also so much more.
Part of the reason for the improvement in
their capability has been the addition
Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a single chip that contains all of
the elements that are essential for any computer i.e. RAM,
ROM, CPU, Input, Output, Clock,
Another term often used for an embedded computer is a
'micro controller'. This is because the main purpose of an
embedded computer is to control something.
Embedded Computers
For example, the Raspberry Pi is an extremely popular
single board computer that is intended to help school
students learn about computer programming.
All of the following also contain an embedded computer:
•telephones
•televisions
•cameras
•washing machines
•microwave cookers
•dishwashers
•cars
Plenary
Written work – Digital Devices –
Introduction to Computers
Q1. What is a computer?
Q2. Differentiate between data and information?
Q3. What is difference between input and output?
Q4. Write down 10 examples of hardware and software.
Written work – Digital Devices – Types
of Computers
What do you know about the following computers?
Mainframe computers
Personal computers
Laptop
Smart phones
Tablet
Embedded computers
