MODULE 1

Lesson 2

Components of a Computer & Categories of

Computers

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, the students should

be able to:
identify the different parts of the computer
system, and categorize the different computer
peripherals

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WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions
stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to
specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Data and Information

Computers process data into information. Data is a collection of unprocessed
items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information
conveys meaning and is useful to people.
A computer processes data into information. The employee’s name, and address,
hourly pay rate, and hours worked all represent data. The computer processes
the data to produce the payroll check (information).
Information Processing Cycle
Computers process data (input) into information (output). A computer often holds
data, information, and instructions in storage for future use. Instructions are the
steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task. Some people ref to
series of input, process, output, and storage activities as the information
processing cycle. Most computers today can communicate with other computers.
As a result, communications also has become an essential element of the
information processing cycle.

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

What makes a computer work? By definition, a computer is an electronic device

that manipulates information or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and
process data. It contains both hardware components and software
applications.
The hardware pertains to the computer's physical devices It is any part of the
computer that can be seen and touched. A computer's hardware consists of
interrelated electronic devices that are used to manipulate the computer's
operation, input devices and output devices
Input Devices
Working with a computer would be ineffective if one does not intermingle with it
because the machine cannot accept and receive instructions and/or deliver an
output on its own. Input devices enter or send data and instructions from the user
or from another computer system on the internet while output devices send back
the administered data to the user or to another computer system.
The following are some of the most common and important input devices of a
computer:

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  Keyboard - is the most common input device that accepts letters,
numbers, and commands from the user.
 Mouse - lets one select options from on-screen menus. A mouse is used
by moving it on a flat surface, pressing its two buttons (left and right), and
scrolling the wheel that is located between the buttons.
There are also alternatives to using a mouse. A trackball has a ball that can rotate
using a finger or the palm of a hand to move the pointer. A touchpad also called a
trackpad is a touch-sensitive pad that lets the user move the pointer by touching
and dragging his or her finger on the pad. Touchpads are commonly built-in on
laptop computers.
 Microphone - allows a user to speak into the computer to input data and
instructions. While there are available stand-alone microphones for
computers, most of the time, users buy a headset-a combination of
microphone and earphones for the sake of practicality.
 Scanner - converts printed material (such as text and pictures) into a form
the computer can use.
 Digital camera - allows one to take pictures then transfer the photographed
images to the computer or printer instead of storing the images on a
traditional film.
 PC video camera - is a digital video camera tha enables users to create a
movie or take still photographs electronically. With the PC video camera
attached to the computer, users can see each other as they communicate
via the computer.

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Output Devices
An output device is any hardware component that transmits information to one or
more people.
The three commonly used output devices are as follows:
 Printer - produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as paper.
The two types of printer are the impact printer and the non-impact printer.

A non-impact printer does not

use a striking device to produce
An impact printer makes contact with
characters on the paper, and
the paper by pressing an inked ribbon
because it does not hammer
against the paper using a hammer or
against the paper, the printer
pins.
produces less noise.

Non-impact printers are inkjet

Impact printer is the dot-matrix printer printers and laser printers.

 Monitor - displays text, graphics, and videos on a screen. Many monitors look
similar to a television. The three types of monitor available in the market are
the following:

o Cathode ray tube (CRT) is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun

at one end and a fluorescent screen at another end.

o Liquid crystal display (LCD) - is a flat-panel display that consists of a

layer of color or monochrome pixels arranged schematically between a
couple of transparent electrodes and two polarizing filters. Optical effect
is achieved by polarizing the light in varied amounts and making it pass
through the liquid crystal layer.

o Light-emitting diode (LED) - is a flat-panel display that uses light-

emitting diodes for backlighting. The display is of LCD only but the
backlighting is done by LEDs. LED monitors are said to use much
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 lesser power than CRT and LCD, Thus, they are also considered
environment-friendly.

CRT monitor Liquid crystal display Light emitting diode

 Speaker - allows one to hear music, voice, and other sounds. The signal
used to produce the sound that comes from a computer speaker is created
by the computer's sound card.

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 Storage Devices
Other devices that work with a computer
A computer can be utilized with only
processing, memory, input, and
output devices. To make it very
valuable, however, a computer also
needs a place to hold program files
and all related files when they are not
in use. The goal of using storage is
to keep data permanently.
There are many types of storage
devices which include the flash disk
drive, a small portable storage
device often referred to as pen
drives, thumb drives, or jump drives.

Another type of storage is the hard disk drive. Most personal

computers have at least one non-removable hard disk that is regarded
as a non-volatile memory which permanently, stores and retrieves data.

Another storage device is the compact disc. It is a flat, round, and portable metal
disc. One type of compact disc is a CD-ROM which can be accessed using most
CD and DVD drives. Another type of compact disc is a DVD-ROM, which has
enough storage capacity to store a full-length movie

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CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS
Industry experts typically classify computers in seven categories: personal
computers, mobile computers and mobile devices, game consoles, servers,
mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded computers. A computer's size,
speed, processing power, and price deter mine the category it best fits. Due to
rapidly changing technology, however, the distinction among categories is not
always clear-cut. Still, many people refer to these categories when discussing
computers.

Personal computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing,
output, and storage activities by itself. A personal computer contains a processor,
memory, and one or more input, output, and storage devices.

Workstation is a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal

computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
- is a multi-user computer capable of

Minicomputer is a multiuser computer capable of supporting from 10 to

hundreds of users simultaneously.

Mainframe is a powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting hundreds or

thousands of users simultaneously.

Supercomputer is an extremely fast computer that can perform millions of

instructions per second. Below is a picture of NASA's Pleiades supercomputer
that has 245,536 CPU cores and a total memory of 935 TB.

Computers are also categorized into several types due to the introduction of
mobile devices and the proliferation of internet capable devices. Specialized
computers are now classified according to specific uses.

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The different types of computers are as follows:

Desktop computers - are

computers designed to be placed on
a desk, and are normally made up of
a few different parts, including the
computer case, central processing
unit (CPU), monitor, keyboard, and
mouse,
Laptop computers are battery-
powered computer devices whose
portability makes them possible to
use almost anytime, anywhere.
Tablet computers - are hand-held
computers with touch sensitive
screen for typing and navigation.
Smartphones - are hand-held
telephones which can do things that
computers can do, including
browsing and searching the internet
and even playing console games.
Wearables - include fitness trackers
and smart watches that can be worn
throughout the day.
Smart TVs - are the latest television
sets that include applications present
in computers. For example, videos
can be streamed from the internet
directly onto the TV. The TV can also
be used as a computer monitor and
gaming monitor

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 EMBEDDED COMPUTERS
An embedded computer is a special-
purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product.
Embedded computers are everywhere -
at home, in your car, and at work. The
following list identifies a variety of
everyday products that contain
embedded computers.
Consumer Electronics: mobile and
digital telephones, digital televisions,
cameras, video recorders, DVD players
and recorders, answering machines
Home Automation Devices and
Appliances: thermostats, sprinkling
systems, security monitoring systems,
microwave ovens, washing machines
Automobiles: antilock brakes, engine
control modules, airbag controller,
cruise control
Process Controllers and Robotics
remote monitoring systems, power
monitors machine controllers, medical
devices
Computer Devices and Office Machines
keyboards, printers, faxes, copiers
Because embedded computers are
components in larger products, they
usually are small and have limited
hardware. These computers perform
various functions, depending on the
requirements of the product in which
they reside. Embedded computers in
printers, for example, monitor the
amount of paper in the tray, check the
ink or toner level, signal if a paper jam
has occurred, and so on.

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