COMPUTER HARDWARE

I.C.T - (T.I.C)

Colegio Montepinar - Primary 6

OUR COMPUTER CLASSROOM

Types of Computers
Type
Supercomputers

Size
Largest

Power
Fastest processing speeds compared to other computers Less powerful than supercomputers but large compared to personal computers Same as microcomputers

Purpose
Cost can be several million dollars For corporations with lots of data to be processed Can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars Performs centralized processing tasks for many users Used for companies with many users and large amounts of data and can run on any computer hardware Writing papers, tracking finances, playing games, connecting to the Internet.

Mainframe computers

Large

Minicomputers

Larger than microcomputers but smaller than mainframe computers Fits on a desktop

Microcomputers and notebook computers

Not meant for large amount of data

PDAs, Cell phones, calculators, interactive books, digital cameras, game systems are accepted as they make everyday tasks easier to accomplish.

SUPERCOMPUTERS
Type Supercomputers Size Largest Power Fastest processing speeds compared to other computers Purpose Cost can be several million dollars For corporations with lots of data to be processed

Mainframe Computers
Type Mainframe computers Size
Large

Power
Less powerful than supercomputers but large compared to personal computers

Purpose
Can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars Performs centralized processing tasks for many users

Minicomputers
Type Size Power
Same as microcomputers

Purpose
Used for companies with many users and large amounts of data and can run on any computer hardware

Minicomputers Larger than microcomputers but smaller than mainframe computers

Microcomputers Personal Computers

Type Microcomputers and notebook computers Size Fits on a desktop Power Purpose Not meant for Writing papers, large amount of tracking finances, data playing games, connecting to the Internet.

two main types of consumer computers

COMPUTER:

Desktop Computer

Laptop Computer

THE COMPUTER:
A computer has got many components or devices. Some of these devices are outside the main computer box or System Unit. These devices are called peripherals, the user interacts with the peripherals to input or output information from the computer. (ex. keyboard, printer, scanner, web cam). Some of the other devices are internal, and they work automatically without direct interaction with the user. (Ex. Hard disk, RAM, motherboard).

System Unit
The System unit contains the C.P.U

Our Computers Head!

The CPU has got many components INSIDE

The Power Supply

If there is any one component that is absolutely vital to the operation of a computer, it is the power supply! Without it, a computer is just a box full of plastic and metal.

The power supply converts the alternating current (AC) line from your home or school (220 V to 240 V at 50 Hz) to the direct current (DC) needed by the computer (12 V, 5 V, 5VSB, 3V3, 5 V, and 12 V).

Processing Devices

The Motherboard

Your computer couldnt work without the motherboard. It ties everything together!

The Motherboard allows every internal part of your computer to receive power and communicate with each other. Specially with the C.P.U

The C.P.U.
(the processor)

The C.P.U. is also called the microprocessor. The word micro means small. Since the CPU is located on a small computer chip about 1 inch square, that makes sense!

The Brain of our computer

The BIOS
(Basic Input Output System) A BIOS chip is a very important computer component.

In simple terms, the BIOS chip wakes up the computer when you turn it on and reminds it what parts it has and what they do!

The RAM
(Random Access Memory)
RAM is temporary memory. The computer holds information in this memory and gets it when it needs it.

If a computer has got more RAM, it can solve problems and process information faster! If youre updating your computer, more RAM is a great thing to add!

Input Devices

Keyboard

The keyboard is probably the most used input device. It operates a lot like a typewriter, but has got many additional keys that let it do special things a typewriter cant do.

Mouse
pointer

When you move the mouse and look up at the screen, youll see a small moving arrow. This arrow is called the pointer.

There are two kinds of mice. Some use a roller ball that allows the mouse to roll around a flat surface. A laser mouse doesnt have a roller ball. It uses a laser light that makes the pointer move.

Scanner

Our computers Reading machine

A scanner is a very useful input device. You can place a page of writing or pictures in the scanner and it will send the information to your computer.

Microphone

The Microphone connects to the sound card and you can use it to input sounds or voice into the computer.

Cameras

Digital Camera

Webcam

The cameras allow the user to record pictures and video, or input them directly into the computer.

Output Devices

Monitor
Im NEW and COOL!
The monitor looks like a TV and lets you see your work and your files.

Im OLD and clumsy.

LCD TFT Monitor

CRT Monitor

Printer

Our Computers drawing and writing hand!

One output device is a printer. The printer prints exactly whats on the screen.

Printer
An inkjet printer usually prints in color. It prints by squirting out small dots of ink onto the paper.

A laser printer uses a laser beam to create an image that is transferred to paper. It uses toner and a drum. The ink is powder.

The Video Card

A Video Card is an Output Device. It has got special circuits that allow your computer to display graphics on your monitor.

The Sound Card

A Sound Card is an Output Device. It has got special circuits that allow your computer to record and play sounds.

Speakers
Bla, bla, bla, bla

BEEP!

The Speakers are connected to the sound card, they can output music, voice, sounds, and beeps.

Storage Devices

Hard Disk Drive

Our Computers storage space!

Hard Disk Drive

The Hard Disk Drive is a magnetic storage device. All the computer programs and files you create and save are located there.

This is permanent storage (at least until you uninstall software or delete a file). The hard drive is normally signified by the drive letter C. Todays hard drives can store a HUGE amount of information. A new computer might have got a hard drive that will hold 250 GBs to 2TBs!

CD DVD Rom
CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. This type of disk allows you to write information to it, as well as read from it. Most can hold up to 700 megabytes of information.

They are flat, shiny disks that have got information stored inside. Most new computers have CD-RW drives. CD-RW stands for Compact Disk ReWrite.

External drive

An Eternal Drive is a portable hard disk drive that can run outside of the computer box.

USB Pen Drive

A Pen Drive or Flash Drive is a relatively new storage device. Its like a mini, portable hard drive! You plug it into the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port on the front of newer computers and you can save to it!

The Memory Card Reader

A memory card is a device that reads or writes information from the computer into the memory cards

Communication Devices

The Network Card

A NIC card (Network Interface Card) allows your computer to talk to other computers!

A cable called Cat5 is plugged into the NIC card and your computer can then be attached to a network and be on the internet!

The MODEM

A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a peripheral used totransfer information between several computers over a wire transmission medium (eg telephone lines).

Network

Many machines connected together

Internet

Many users connected together