GEIT210 Chapter 1: Hardware

Study Notes

Information System (IS) organizes the collection, organization, storage, and communication of data.
Database (DB) refers to a large amount of related data adhering to specific static or dynamic restrictions.

Mainframe computers serve large organizations for task-critical applications, enterprise resource planning, and transaction processing.
Microcomputers (desktops) are small computers that use a microprocessor as the CPU, integrating memory and I/O on a single motherboard.

Laptops are portable computers designed for mobile use.
Notebooks are smaller and lighter than laptops.
Tablets and iPads are even smaller than notebooks and typically do not include a keyboard.
iPods are compact devices without GSM capabilities.
iPhones and mobile phones include a GSM card and provide communication functions.
Devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods run on Apple's iOS operating system.
E-Readers allow users to read digital content such as eBooks and newspapers.

Memory capacity is measured in Bytes and is categorized into permanent and non-permanent types.
Permanent memories include ROM and storage devices (USB Flash, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, Floppy disk).
Non-permanent memories consist of CPU registers, RAM, and Cache Memory.

Random Access Memory (RAM) stores frequently used program instructions and enhances system performance.
Modern RAM typically has a capacity of around 4 GB, with memory arranged in Bytes, each with an address system.
A Byte consists of 8 bits, where each bit represents a binary value (0 or 1).

Read Only Memory (ROM) is essential for booting the computer and contains vital system operation instructions.
Cache Memory serves as a faster intermediary storage between the CPU and RAM, typically around 256 KBytes in size, optimizing data retrieval speed.

Data Bus (BUS), made of copper lines on the motherboard, connects the CPU to Cache, RAM, and other ports, facilitating data transfer among components.