Computer

Fundamentals
chapter 1
Common computing devices
• An Information Technology (IT) system is one of that
processes, stores, and transfer information.
• Information can take various forms like words,
numbers, pictures, sounds or video.
• The information is represented in binary digits one and
zero.
• When information stored and processed it is referred to
as data.
What is a computer?
A computer is a system that manipulates
data according to a set of instructions.
A machine that accepts input (raw data),
processes that input, and produces output
(information).
Three elements are required for a computer
to perform useful tasks: hardware, software
and computer’s user.
Input, Output, Processing,
and Storage
Input: The devices like keyboards, scanners, cameras, mouse and
microphones that are used to enter the data to the computer.
Processing: the data is written to memory and manipulated by
the CPU based on the instructions from the OS or any application
software.
Output: devices likes monitor or loudspeaker system are used to
display the processed data to the user.
Storage: the data may be written to different types of storage
devices such as hard disks or optical discs.
PC system showing processing and storage components , input components, and output components.
There are many different types of
computer: The Varieties of
Computers are as

1. Mainframes
2. Workstations
3. Microcomputers
4. Microcontrollers
5. Supercomputers
Mainframes
Small mainframes (mid-size
computers or
minicomputers).
5,000 to 5 million dollars
Used in large organizations –
banks, airlines, insurance
companies, colleges.
Processes billions of
instructions per second.
Often used with a terminal.
Workstations
A workstation type of PC is housed in a
case that can sit on or under a desk.
Referred to as desktop PCs or just as
desktops.
usually used for complex scientific,
mathematical, and engineering
calculations and for computer-aided
design
Example: designing airplanes, special
effects in movies
Microcomputer
$500 - $5000
Personal Computer (PC)
Tower PC
Desktop PC
Laptop / Notebook
Personal digital assistants
(PDAs), also called handheld
computers or palmtops
Mac
While a Mac is a PC, most
people relate the term, PC,
with systems that run the
Windows operating system.
Other types of microcomputers.

Personal Digital Assistant

Laptop computer
Microcontrollers
tiny, specialized microprocessors
installed in “smart” appliances
and automobiles
also called embedded computers
Supercomputers
 Fastest computer
 Can cost one million to 350 million
dollars
 looks like rows of refrigerator-size
boxes
 Consists of thousands of
processors and can carry out
several trillion calculations per
second.
 Used for computer simulations
 tracking hurricanes, biological
contamination, or understanding
ocean currents.
Servers
A server is any computer providing services to other computers.
Server - a central computer that holds collections of data &
programs for multiple clients
Clients - PCs, workstations, & other devices attached to a server
Server + Clients linked together form a client/server network
Most servers uses the same types of components as a desktop but
are have more powerful and reliable components.
 Laptops
A laptop computer is one that integrate the display, system
components, and input/output devices within a single, portable case.
The main features distinguishing laptops from desktop PCs are:
 Size and weight
 Display type
 Input devices
 Power source
 Components
 Networking
Small laptops are also described as notebooks and subnotebooks.
 Mobile and IoT Devices
A smartphone is a device with roughly the same functionality as a
personal computer that can be held in one hand.
Previous handheld computers, known as Personal Digital Assistants
(PDA).
Today’s smartphones use touchscreen displays, making them much
easier to operate.
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a world in which various types of
things are embedded with processing and networking functionality
which is controlled by very small chips. Example: Home automation
software that can control clock alarm system, refrigerator, Thermostats,
security systems, home appliances over an internet connection.
Other examples are modern cars and drones, medical devices, gaming
consoles etc.
Using a workstation
A workstation or a laptop or any other machine need an operating
systems (OS) to operate its components.
The main function of an OS is to provide a stable environment for
different software applications to work together..
OS controls access the computer hardware via functions of the OS.
OS provides tools for configuring the hardware.
Various types of OS are available: Windows, Linux, MAC iOS
 The Booting Process
Booting - the process of loading an operating
system into a computer’s main memory
Motherboard
• The most important component in the computer because it connects
all the other components together.
• Known as a System Board or Mainboard
• Asus P9X79 Intel X79 DDR3 LGA2011 ATX Motherboard w/ 3x PCI
• ASUS, Gigabyte
Signing in to windows
Some text or a logo may be displayed on-screen while the computer
starts up (boots).
Before the windows load, a Power-On-Self-Test
(POST) is done by computer to check the main
components work fine or not.
A screen prompting you to sign in to the
computer is displayed if everything goes OK.
Customizing taskbar setting
You can set options for how the
taskbar and start Menu are
displayed.
Select start > Settings >
Personalization > Start
 User Interface
Users communicate with the computer using a consistent
user interface provided by the OS

This UI can be a command-line interface in which a user

types in the commands. Example:
copy a:/file1.html c:/file1.html

Or, it can be a graphical UI, where Windows, Icons,

Menus, and a Pointing device (such as a mouse) is used to
receive and display information. Example:
With the help of the mouse, drag file1.html
from drive a to drive c
Graphical User Interface
Command Line Interface
Recognizing Desktop Icons
Icons are pictures used in an operating system to
represent folders, files and other system objects.
File icons: Data files have the pictures of the application
used to edit the file on them.
Shortcut icons: Links to a file have an arrow icon
superimposed.
Folder icons: Folders are used to store and organize files.
The type of icons also indicate what the folder contains
(documents, pictures, subfolders, and so on)
Recognizing Desktop Icons
Application icons: these are the files that contain the
program itself.
Device icons: hard disk drives store data saved or installed
on the computer.
Removable drives have different icons, such as an optical
drive or USB thumb drive.
Questions
- What are the three important element of the computer ?
- Complete :the processed data is ……………
- Example of input ,output devices :
- Select the correct option : all of the following are input devices except one is (scanner – monitor – camera
– microphone )
- Give an example : storage devices :
- True or false ( Mainframes used for complex scientific, mathematical ( ) )
- Give an Example of workstation , microcomputer
- Select the correct option : type of computer consists of thousands of processors and can carry out several
trillion calculations per second is (Microcontrollers – Supercomputers – Microcomputer – none of the
above)
- Complete : …………………….. is any computer providing services to other computers.
- Give an Example of IoT :
- Complete : the various types of OS are available are ………..,………..and……………
- Complete : ………………….. the process of loading an operating system into a computer’s main memory
- True or false :The most important component in the computer is motherboard
- There are two types of user interface , what are they ?
- There are number of the main features distinguishing laptops from desktop PCs, write three of them?
- Write four of the desktop Icons?