Introduction to Computer Systems
What is Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that helps people perform
different task.
It accepts information (in the form of digitalized data) and
manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on
how the data is to be processed.
FOUR (4) TYPES OF COMPUTER:
Since the advent of the first computer different types and sizes of computers
are offering different services. Computers can be as big as occupying a large
building and as small as a laptop or a microcontroller in systems. The four basic
types of computers are:
1. Super computer
2. Mainframe computer
3. Minicomputer
4. Microcomputer
1. Supercomputer
The most powerful computers in terms of
performance and data processing are the
supercomputers. These are specialized and task
specific computers used by large organizations.
These computers are used for research and
exploration purposes, like NASA uses
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IBM AC922 by: ERIC M. TALAMISAN
system
CSS NCII Trainer/Assessor
This Supercomputer Can Calculate in 1 Second
What Would Take You 6 Billion Years.
CS The supercomputer is an IBM AC922 system
that's made up of 4,608 computer servers
supercomputers for launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space
exploration purpose.
Uses of Supercomputer:
Space Exploration
Earthquake studies
Weather Forecasting
Nuclear weapons testing
2. Mainframe computer
Although Mainframes are not as powerful as
supercomputers, but certainly they are quite expensive
nonetheless, and many large firms & government
organizations uses Mainframes to run their business
operations. The Mainframe computers can be accommodated
in large air-conditioned rooms because of its size. Super-
computers are the fastest computers with large data storage
capacity.
IBM System z9 mainframe
3. Minicomputer
Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms.
Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”.
These are small machines and can be accommodated on a
disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as
super-computers & Mainframes.
4. Microcomputer
Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets &
smartphones are all types of microcomputers. The micro-computers are
widely used & the fastest growing computers. These computers are the
cheapest among the other three types of computers. The Micro-computers
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CSS NCII Trainer/Assessor
CS
are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education and
work purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple,
Samsung, Sony & Toshiba.
Examples of Microcomputers
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CSS NCII Trainer/Assessor
CS
THE 3 FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE COMPUTER
c
1. System Unit>acts like the center
or core, processing the data and
information it receives from input
devices.
2. Input Devices>An input device is
any hardware device that sends
data to a computer, allowing you to
interact with and control the
computer.
3. Output Devices>these are the
devices like printers. It receives the system unit's processed information.
1. Input Devices
The most commonly used or
primary input devices on a
computer are
the keyboard and mouse. However,
there are dozens of other devices
that can also be used to input data
into the computer.
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CSS NCII Trainer/Assessor
CS
2. Output Device
Is any peripheral that receives
data from a computer, usually for
display, projection, or physical
reproduction.
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CSS NCII Trainer/Assessor
CS
3. System Unit
*Basic Parts of the System Unit:
1. System Case
2. Motherboard
3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4. Random Access Memory (RAM)
5. Power Supply
6. Hard disk
7. CDROM drive
8. Expansion Slot
1. System Case
A computer case also known as a
computer chassis, tower, system unit,
cabinet, base unit or simply case and
sometimes incorrectly referred to as
the "CPU" or "hard drive", is the Desktop Case
enclosure that contains most of the
components of a computer.
Tower Case
Two Types of System Case
1. Tower (Full, Mid, Mini) – designed to sit vertically
2. Desktop (Standard, Slimline) – designed to sit horizontally
2. Motherboard
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CSS NCII Trainer/Assessor
CS
A printed circuit board containing the principal components of a computer or
other device, with connectors into which other circuit boards can be slotted.
It holds and allows communication between many of the crucial electronic
components of a system such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory, and
provides connectors for other peripherals.
3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A CPU is the electronic circuitry within a computer
that carries out the instructions of a computer program by
performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and
input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions.
4. Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is the physical hardware inside a computer
that temporarily stores data, serving as the computer's
"working" memory. Additional RAM allows a computer to
work with more information at the same time, which
usually has a considerable effect on total system
performance.
5. Power Supply
A power supply is an electronic device that supplies electric
energy to an electrical load. The primary function of a power
supply is to convert one form of electrical energy to another
and, as a result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as
electric power converters.
6. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
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CS
The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data storage hardware
device in a computer. The operating system, software titles, and most other files
are stored in the hard disk drive.
The hard drive is sometimes referred to as the "C drive" due
to the fact that Microsoft Windows, by default, designates the
"C" drive letter to the primary partition on the primary hard
drive in a computer.
Inside the hard disk
Old and Newer Hard drive
1. SATA - Serial Advance Technology Attachment
(new)
2. IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics (old)
SATA
IDE
7. CD-ROM Drive
A CD-ROM /ˌsiːˌdiːˈrɒm/ is a pre-pressed optical compact disc
which contains data. The name is an acronym which stands
for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory". Computers can
read CD-ROMs, but cannot write to CD-ROMs which are not
writable or erasable.
CD – Compact Disk, DVD – Digital Versatile Disk
8. Expansion Slot
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The expansion slot (also expansion board, adapter card or accessory card) in
computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an electrical
connector, or expansion slot on a computer
motherboard, backplane or riser card to add
functionality to a computer system via the expansion
bus.
This is where you install the video card, sound card,
LAN card,
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CS
