INSTRUCTOR: MISS SARA USMANI
McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Electronic device
• Converts data into information
• Modern computers are digital
– Two digits combine to make data
• Older computers were analog
– A range of values made data
1A-3
• Computers can be categorized in no. of
ways.
• E.g. by power or by no. of users
• Categories of computers by no. of users
– Single user computers(PCs/Micro computers)
– Multiple users computers
vs
1A-4
1A-5
System Unit CPU
1A-6
• Desktop computers
– The most common type of computer
– Sits on the desk or floor
– Performs a variety of tasks
Tower casing Flat casing
1A-7
• Workstations
– Specialized computers
– Optimized for science or graphics
– More powerful than a desktop
Alienware Systems Sun Ultra 27 Workstation VFX Workstations
1A-8
• Gaming PCs
Guru3D Rig of the month (Sep 2018)
1A-9
• PCs for graphic designers or artists
1A-10
• Notebook computers
– Small portable computers
– Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
– About 8 ½ by 11 inches
– Typically as powerful as a desktop
– Can include a docking station
1A-11
• Mac Air MICROSOFT SURFACE
1A-12
• Notebooks and docking stations
1A-13
• Another example of a docking station
1A-14
• Tablet computers
– Newest development
in portable
computers
– Input is through
a pen or screen
– Run specialized
versions of office
products
1A-15
• iPad pro
1A-16
• Handheld computers
– Very small computers
– Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
– Note taking or contact management
– Data can synchronize with a desktop
• Smart phones
– Hybrid of cell phone and PDA
– Web surfing, e-mail access
1A-17
1A-18
1A-19
• Network servers
– Centralized computer
– All other computers connect
– Provides access to network resources
– Multiple servers are called server farms
– Often simply a powerful desktop
1A-20
• Mainframes
– Used in large
organizations
– Handle thousands
of users
– Users access
through a terminal
• Dumb Terminals
• Smart Terminals
1A-21
• What is the difference between
Mainframes and Network Servers?
1A-22
• Minicomputers
– Called midrange computers
– Power between mainframe and desktop
– Handle hundreds of users
– Used in smaller organizations
– Users access through a
terminal
1A-23
• Supercomputers
– The most powerful
computers made
– Handle large and
complex calculations
– Process trillions of
operations per
second
– Found in research
organizations
1A-24
• More impact than any other invention
– Changed work and leisure activities
– Used by all demographic groups
• Computers are important because:
– Provide information to users
– Information is critical to our society
– Managing information is difficult
1A-25
• Computers at home
– Many homes have multiple computers
– Computers are used for
• Business
• Entertainment
• Communication
• Education
1A-26
• Computers in education
– Computer literacy required at all levels
• Computers in small business
– Makes businesses more profitable
– Allows owners to manage
• Computers in industry
– Computers are used to design products
– Assembly lines are automated
1A-27
Computers in government
Necessary to track data for population
Police officers
Tax calculation and collection
Governments were the first computer
users
1A-28
• Computers in health care
– Revolutionized health care
– New treatments possible
– Scheduling of patients has improved
– Delivery of medicine is safer
1A-29
McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
