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ICT ICF Lesson Outline 2

Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer like the motherboard, CPU, keyboard and monitor. Software refers to instructions that tell hardware what to do, like operating systems and applications. The main components of a general computer are the CPU, memory (RAM and ROM), input devices, output devices, and secondary storage. RAM is used to temporarily store running programs and data while ROM stores the startup instructions. Peripheral devices allow data to pass into and out of the computer, categorized as input devices like keyboards, output devices like monitors, and secondary storage like hard drives. There are different types of computers including personal digital assistants, mainframe computers, palmtop computers, personal computers, and laptop computers.

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54 views2 pages

ICT ICF Lesson Outline 2

Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer like the motherboard, CPU, keyboard and monitor. Software refers to instructions that tell hardware what to do, like operating systems and applications. The main components of a general computer are the CPU, memory (RAM and ROM), input devices, output devices, and secondary storage. RAM is used to temporarily store running programs and data while ROM stores the startup instructions. Peripheral devices allow data to pass into and out of the computer, categorized as input devices like keyboards, output devices like monitors, and secondary storage like hard drives. There are different types of computers including personal digital assistants, mainframe computers, palmtop computers, personal computers, and laptop computers.

Uploaded by

lorenzo aoalin
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© © All Rights Reserved
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ICT-ICF BY: Lorenzo Aoalin

Types and Components of Computer


What Is Hardware?
*Hardware is the physical parts of the computer system – the parts that you can touch and see.
*A motherboard, a CPU, a keyboard, and a monitor are all items of hardware.

What is a Software?
*Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These instructions tell the computer what to do.
*Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium such as a CD-ROM), it is just a bunch of
codes.
*An operating system such as Windows XP or Mac OS X, applications such as Microsoft Word, and the instructions that control a
robot are all examples of software.

The Difference Between Hardware and Software


* Computer hardware is the physical components that make up the computer system. Hardware is useless without software to
run on it.
*Software is instructions that tell computer hardware what to do. Software is useless unless there is hardware to run it on.

Main Components of a General Computer


~central processing unit (CPU),
~main/internal memory (including ROM and RAM),
~input devices,
~output devices,
~secondary/backing storage.

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)


*The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer. It is the device that carries out software instructions.
The Pentium processor made by Intel is an example of a CPU.
*CPUs usually plug into a large socket on the main circuit board (the motherboard) of a computer. They get very hot when they
are operating so usually have a large fan attached to their top to keep them cool.
2. Main Memory
Any data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into main memory (sometimes known as primary
storage).
A. Random Access Memory (RAM)
*Random Access Memory (RAM) is the part of the computer that temporarily stores the instructions that the computer is running,
and the data it is processing.
a. RAM is a volatile storage device. This means that if the computer’s power is turned off the contents of b. RAM disappear and
are lost.
c. RAM, like the CPU, also plugs in to sockets on the motherboard.

When a computer is in use, its RAM will contain…


a. The operating system software
b. The application software currently being used
c. Any data that is being processed

B. Read-Only Memory (ROM)


*Read-Only Memory (ROM) is used in most computers to hold a small, special piece of software: the 'boot up' program.
*This software runs when the computer is switched on or 'boots up'. The software checks the computer’s hardware and then
loads the operating system.
*ROM is non-volatile storage. This means that the data it contains is never lost, even if the power is switched off.

Peripheral Devices
*Technically, a computer need only be made up of a CPU and some RAM. But a computer like this would not be much use to
anybody – other devices need to be connected to allow data to be passed in and out of the computer.
*The general name for these extra devices is “peripheral devices”. They are usually categorized into input devices, output
devices and storage devices.

3. What Are Input Devices?


Devices that pass data into the computer are known as input devices.
A keyboard, a mouse and a webcam are all examples of input devices.
They all take information from the outside world (key presses, hand movements, images), convert them into data and then send
this data into the computer for processing.

4. What Are Output Devices?


*Devices that take data from the computer are known as output devices.
*A monitor, a printer and a loudspeaker are all examples of output devices.
*They all take information from the computer and convert it into real world things (images, paper hardcopy, sound).

5. What is Secondary / Backing Storage?


*Secondary storage (sometimes called backing storage) is the name for all the devices (apart from ROM and RAM) that can
store data in a computer system.
*A hard drive, a CD-ROM, a floppy disc, and a USB memory stick are all examples of secondary storage devices.
*Secondary storage is non-volatile, so data that is stored on these devices remains there safely.

TYPES of COMPUTERS
1. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
A PDA is like a palmtop computer, except it is even more compact, and typically has no keyboard, using a touchscreen for all
data input. Since the screen is so small, many PDAs have a small stylus (plastic stick) that is used to press things on the screen.
Most PDAs use some sort of handwriting-recognition system to allow the user to write on the screen, and have their writing
converted into text.
PDAs tend to be used a ‘digital diary’ allowing users to take their e-mail, documents, appointments, etc. with them wherever they
go.
Note: You never see PDAs any more since modern 'smart' phones can do all of this, and work as a phone too!

2. Mainframe Computer
A mainframe computer is a large computer, often used by large businesses, in government offices, or by universities.
Mainframe computers are typically:
Powerful - they can process vast amounts of data, very quickly
Large - they are often kept in special, air-conditioned rooms
Multi-user - they allow several users (sometimes hundreds) to use the computer at the same time, connected via remote
terminals (screens and keyboards)

3. Palmtop Computer
A palmtop computer is like a laptop computer, but smaller. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (hence the name!)
Palmtops are usually not very powerful since fast CPUs require a large battery and get hot - both problems in a small device.
A typical palmtop has a very small keyboard - too small to type on normally. Instead, the user types using both thumbs. Also,
there is no room for a trackpad, so a touchscreen or tiny joystick is used instead.
Palmtops are extremely portable, but the small keyboard and screen make the devices tiring to use for long periods.

4. Personal Computer (PC)


The early 1980s saw a revolution in computing: The creation of computers that were small enough to fit on a desk, and cheap
enough that everyone could have their own, personal computer, instead of having to share access to a mainframe.
These computers came to be known as desktop computers, or personal computers (PCs).
A typical PC contained the same basic components as a mainframe computer (CPU, RAM, storage, etc.) but at a fraction of the
size and cost.

5. Laptop Computer
A 'laptop' computer is a light, compact and portable PC.
Laptops contain a rechargeable battery so that they can be used even when not plugged in to a mains power supply. They also
have a built-in LCD monitor.
To make them as portable as possible, most laptops try to avoid any sort of cable or wire. Instead of a mouse, a trackpad is
used. Instead of a wired connection to a network or printer, 'wireless' radio connections are used.

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