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Types of Computers and Computer Storage . Computer Technology Created by M. Guymon Pleasant Grove High Spring 2003 Modified by M. Corbett Fall 2010. Types of Computers. Microcomputer. A personal computer; designed to meet the computer needs of an individual.
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Types of Computers and Computer Storage Computer Technology Created by M. Guymon Pleasant Grove High Spring 2003 Modified by M. Corbett Fall 2010
Microcomputer • A personal computer; designed to meet the computer needs of an individual. • Provides access to a wide variety of computing applications, such as word processing, photo editing, e-mail, and internet.
Desktop Microcomputer • A microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on power from an electrical wall outlet. • The CPU can be housed in either a vertical or a horizontal case. • Has separate components (keyboard, mouse, etc.) that are each plugged into the computer.
Laptop Computer • A portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery unit. • All components (keyboard, mouse, etc.) are in one compact unit. • Usually more expensive than a comparable desktop. • Sometimes called a Notebook.
Workstation • Powerful desktop computer designed for specialized tasks. • Can tackle tasks that require a lot of processing speed. • Often is an ordinary personal computer attached to a LAN (local area network) so that common resources can be shared OR common projects can be worked on.
Supercomputer • A computer that was the fastest in the world at the time it was constructed. • Can tackle tasks that would not be practical for other computers. • Typical uses • Breaking codes • Modeling weather systems
Mainframe • Large expensive computer capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users. • Used to store, manage, and process large amounts of data that need to be reliable, secure, and centralized. • Usually housed in a closet sized cabinet.
Server • Purpose is to “serve.” • A computer that has the purpose of supplying its users with data; usually through the use of a LAN (local area network).
Handheld Computer • Also called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). • A computer that fits into a pocket, runs on batteries, and is used while holding the unit in your hand. • Typically used as an appointment book, address book, calculator, and notepad. • Can be synchronized with a personal microcomputer as a backup.
Tablet Computer • a portable computer that uses an integral flat panel display screen or touch screen for primary input and primary display • It is the size of a notebook computer • The Ipad is an example of a tablet computer
System unit • Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including the motherboard).
Motherboard The motherboard is the main circuit board of the computer. • It includes the Central Processing Unit (CPU) or microprocessor chip, RAM and ROM chips, interface sockets and/or slots, and other input/output (I/O) ports.
Circuits • The path from one component of a computer to another that data uses to travel. • Circuits run between different components on a circuit board Examples: • RAM and the microprocessor • RAM and various storage devices
Silicon Chip • Silicon is melted sand. • What the circuits are embedded into to keep them together.
Hertz (megahertz or gigahertz) • A measurement used to describe the speed of the system clock. • A megahertz (MHZ) is equal to one million cycles (or pulses) per second. • 1.3 gigahertz (GHz) means that the microprocessor’s clock operates at a speed of 1.3 BILLION cycles per second.
Microprocessor Chip • Our computers have the Intel Dual-core processing chip • Other generations of Intel processors were called • 80-88 • 286 • 386 • 486 • Pentium
Binary Number System • A method for representing letters or numbers using only two digits, 0 and 1. • Bit • Each 0 or 1 • Byte • 8 bits • Also referred to as Binary Code or Base 2
Byte EXAMPLES A – 01000001 Z – 01111010 • A byte is equal to 8 bits • any combination of 8 1s and/or 0s • A byte is the amount of memory it takes to store one character
Memory Measurements • Bit • Each 0 or 1 • Byte • 8 bits • Kilobyte (KB) • Approximately 1,000 bytes • Exactly 1,024 bytes • Megabyte (MB) • Approximately 1 million bytes • Exactly 1,048,576 bytes • Gigabyte (GB) • Approximately 1 billion bytes • Terabyte (TB) • Approximately 1 trillion bytes
Secondary Storage • Secondary storage is needed to store data and programs when the computers power is off. • There are currently 3 types of secondary storage • Magnetic Storage • Optical Storage • Flash Storage/Memory
Magnetic Storage • any storage medium in which different patterns of magnetization are used to represent stored bits or bytes of information • Magnetic storage currently come in 3 forms • Magnetic Tape • Floppy Disks • Hard Disks
Optical Storage • A means of recording data as light and dark spots on CD or DVD. • Reading is done through a low-power laser light. • Pits • Dark spots • Lands • Lighter, non-spotted surface areas
Types of CDs • CD-ROM • Cds that can be read but not written to • Examples • Computer games or music cds • CD-R (writeable) • Cds that can be written to once – about 800 MB • CD-RW (rewriteable) • Cds that can be rewritten to up to about 100” – about 800 MB
Types of DVDs (Digital Video Disks) • DVD-ROM • DVDs that can be read but not written to • Examples • Movies or PC games that you buy • DVD-R (writeable) • DVDs that can be rewritten to once – about 4.7 GB • DVD+R DL (writeable) • DVDs that can be rewritten to once – about 8.5 GB • DVD-RW (rewriteable) • DVDs that can be rewritten to up to about 100” – about 8.5 GB
Flash Storage • Nonvolatile storage that can be electrically erased and programmed anew and that retains its data without a power supply • Great for digital cameras and cell phones because they retain image data even when batteries go "dead“.
Resources Parsons, June Jamrich, and Dan Oja. Computer Concepts. Boston: Course Technology - Thompson Learning, 2002.