The modern world of high technology could not be possible without computers.

There are two main types of computers, analog and digital.

1) Computers can be classified by size and power as follows:

1. Personal computer. These computers are small and based on a microprocessor.

They have a keyboard for inputting data, a monitor for output and a storage
device for saving data.
2. Workstation. It is usually more powerful than a personal computer.
3. Minicomputer. It is a multi-user computer.
4. Mainframe computer - which supports many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
5. Supercomputer. It is an extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second.

2) A formation of the basic personal computer includes these things:

1. Motherboard - the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the
CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, cards to control
the video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB
ports).
2. CPU/processor. It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to
carry out commands. A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or
millions of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of
instructions per second. A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly.
However, the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of many different
components—not just the processor.
3. RAM (random access memory). RAM is your system's short-term memory
which disappears when the computer is turned off. While working, you need to
save your data to avoid losing it. RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at the
same time.
4. Hard drive. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which
acts as long-term storage. When you run a program or open a file, the computer
copies some of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM. The faster the hard
drive, the faster your computer can start up and load programs.
5. Power supply unit. It converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of
power needed by the computer.
6. Video card - which is responsible for what you see on the monitor. Most
computers have a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into the motherboard
 instead of having a separate video card. If you like playing graphics-intensive games,
you can add a faster video card to one of the expansion slots to get better performance.

3) An input device is used to bring data into the system. Some input devices are:

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Microphone
 Bar code reader
 Graphics tablet

An output device is used to send data out of the system. Some output devices are:

 Monitor
 Printer
 Speaker

4) Input and output devices for physically disabled people need to be in a convenient
setting.

An input device is used to bring data into the system. Some input devices for disabled
people are:

 Puff-suck Switch. This kind of switch is excellent for someone with limited
physical mobility from head below.
 Foot Mouse. It can be used by a person who has limited or no use in their upper
arms to navigate through software programs.
 Eye Typer. The camera determines where the user is looking and monitors
movements made by the eye.
 Braille Keyboard. This can be used by blind people. There is the embossed
system of Braille - which the user can 'read' by touch.

An output device is used to send data out of the system. Some output devices for
disabled people are:

 Speaker. It can be useful for visually impaired people. Text can be converted into
speech and can be output via the speaker in a sound format.
 Braille Printer - operates by embossing raised braille dots onto Braille paper.

5) To buy a new computer you need to:

 Ask yourself what you need your computer for.
 Decide between a laptop or a desktop.
 Compare Apple to a Windows PC.
 Check your budget.
 Research the basic computer components such as:

1. Motherboard - the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the
CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, cards to control
the video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB
ports).
2. CPU/processor. It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to
carry out commands. A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or
millions of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of
instructions per second. A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly.
However, the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of many different
components—not just the processor.
3. RAM (random access memory). RAM is your system's short-term memory
which disappears when the computer is turned off. While working, you need to
save your data to avoid losing it. RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at the
same time.
4. Hard drive. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which
acts as long-term storage. When you run a program or open a file, the computer
copies some of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM. The faster the hard
drive, the faster your computer can start up and load programs.
5. Power supply unit. It converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of
power needed by the computer.
6. Video card - which is responsible for what you see on the monitor. Most
computers have a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into the motherboard
instead of having a separate video card. If you like playing graphics-intensive games,
you can add a faster video card to one of the expansion slots to get better performance.