Technical Vocational Education(TVE) 9

Learning Activity Sheet in ICT

First Quarter

Types of Computers and

Components of a Computer
System

Prepared by:

MARILOU F. ANGADOL
 Information Sheet 1.1
TYPES OF COMPUTERS AND COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

Specific Objectives:
1. Identify types of a computers and components of a computer system.
2. Classify parts of the computer components of a computer system.
3. Recognize the value of having the knowledge on types of computers and
components of a computer system as an aspiring computer technician.

Part 1. TYPES OF A COMPUTER

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

A computer is an electronic
device that manipulates information or
data. It has the ability to accept,
store, retrieve, and process data.
Furthermore, it also performs control
functions.

A. FOUR TYPES OF COMPUTERS According to Size/Power

1. Supercomputer
The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing
are the Supercomputers. These are specialized and task specific computers used by
large organizations. The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size.
It can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can
span an entire building. Uses of supercomputers includes: space exploration,
earthquake studies, weather forecasting and nuclear weapons testing.

Supercomputer
 2. Mainframe Computer
Super-computers
are the fastest computers with
large data storage capacity,
Mainframes can also process &
store large amount of data. Banks,
educational institutions &
insurance companies use
mainframe computers to s tore
data about their customers,
students & insurance policy
holders.

Mainframes

3. Minicomputer
Standing in between a microcomputer and a mainframe computer is the
minicomputer. Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”. These
computers are useful for people around 5 to
300 who want to operate the system at the
same time. You can see such computers at
the billing counters of malls or large
institutions. Minicomputers are used by
small businesses & firms. These computers
are not designed for a single user.
Individual departments of a large company
or organizations use minicomputers for
specific purposes.
Minicomputer

4. Workstation Computers
This type of single-user computer is specially programmed for engineering
applications (CAM/CAD), software development, publishing, or any application that
doesn’t require a lot of computing power. They feature advanced graphics, a huge RAM,
and a graphical user interface (GUI).

Workstations
 5. Microcomputers
The microcomputers are widely used & the fastest growing computers. The
Microcomputers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment,
education and work purposes. Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation
system of a car, Netbooks, Notebooks, PDA’s, Tablet PC’s, Smartphones, Calculators are
all type of Microcomputers.

Microcomputers

B. TYPES OF COMPUTER According to Use

1. General Purpose
A general-purpose computer is programmed to undertake several tasks and
interact with multiple devices or users. Most computers, including PCs, desktops,
smartphones, and tablets, fall under this category because they can perform most
computing tasks.

2. /Special Purpose
This is a microprocessor-based computer programmed to perform a particular
software-controlled task or set of functions. Still, they cannot perform other general
functions of a computer. They are also referred to as embedded computers. They
can be used in industrial automation, space exploration, and digital signage.
Examples: Wi-Fi routers, automatic teller machines, dedicated gaming
consoles, PlayStations, automatic vendor machines, robot vacuum cleaners,
washing machines, etc.

3. Wearable computers
This category consists of any technological device that you can wear on your
body. They are programmed to enhance convenience, accessibility, more
straightforward navigation, health, and fitness tracking, etc.
Examples: smart watches, implantables (pacers), smart patches, etc.

C. TYPES OF COMPUTERS According to Data Handling Capabilities

Computers may also be classified according to how they are designed to function,
or by their working methods.
1. Analog Computers
As the name suggests, these types of computers are primarily designed
to process and analyze organic (analog) measurable data. They don’t process
 numerical data but, instead, data captured from the real world, such as
distance, pressure, temperature, speed, and length.
Examples include speedometers, thermometers, volt meters, calculators, and
clocks.

Analog computers work with — you guessed it! — analog data.

1. Digital Computers
These types of computers are designed to work on numerical data
presented in the form of binary digits (0s
and 1s). Thus, any input is usually
converted into the binary language to
enable the computer to process the data
to produce information. They can
compute mathematical calculations and
also process logical/factual work.
Examples of digital computers include
PCs, mobile phones, and tablets.

A tablet is
an example of a
digital computer.

2. Hybrid Computers
A hybrid computer is a blend of both analog and digital computers. They are
designed for fast and efficient computations of complex calculations and factual work.
They are mainly used in medicine, whereby raw input data (analog data) is converted
into digital signals and processed to produce a numerical output.
Examples include electrocardiogram machines, ultrasound machines, and
gasoline vending machines.

Ultrasound machines are a type of

hybrid computer, which blends both analog
and digital computers together.

Part 2. THREE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

 A computer system is made of three components; these are the hardware, software
and peopleware. Each component plays an important role, without each other computer
systems will not work properly.

Components of a computer system

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1. Hardware- the physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical parts of a computer

system.
Examples are:
✓ Keyboard ✓ System unit
✓ Mouse ✓ Projector
✓ Monitor
✓ Printer
…. and all other parts that you can actually touch with your hands.

2. Software - is the set of instructions (also called a program or application) that

guides the hardware to operate effectively. This also includes applications that
users are using to perform one or more tasks.
Examples are:
✓ Microsoft Office ✓ Minecraft
applications ✓ Windows 7
✓ Encarta ✓ Adobe reader
✓ Photoshop ✓ Mozilla Firefox
… and many others

3. People ware - Refers to people involved in the data processing operations such
as the system administrator, office workers, students and others.