Technology of Displays and Printers

E-Ink displays

• E-Ink displays are used in e-book readers.
• E-Ink displays are known for their readability in sunlight, low power consumption, and reduced eye strain.
• E-books mimic the look of printed text on paper while being portable.
• E-books allow users to adjust text size.

Printers & Plotters

• There are two main types of printers: Laser and Inkjet.
• Plotters are used for design work such as posters and architectural drawings.

3D Printing

• 3D printers work with 3D models to create objects.
• 3D printers are used for prototyping and customization.

Haptic Technology

• Haptic Technology simulates touch sensations in digital devices.
• It enhances user interfaces by adding tactile feedback, making them more intuitive and engaging.
• Haptic Technology is used in smartphones, VR gloves, and gaming controllers.

Virtual Reality (VR)

• VR technology creates computer-generated environments.
• Users wear VR headsets and devices to interact with these immersive virtual environments.
• VR has applications in gaming, education, and military training.

Augmented Reality (AR)

• AR overlays digital content onto the real world, enhancing the user's environment with relevant information.
• AR is used in applications such as Snapchat filters, IKEA Place, Pokémon Go, and employee training.

Computer System Types

• Single-user computers include portable computers, such as:
  • Wearable computers like fitness trackers and smart watches.
  • Smartphones.
  • Laptops.
  • Tablets.
• Single-user computers also include non-portable computers, such as desktop computers.
• Multiple-user computers include:
  • Servers.
  • Mainframes.
  • Supercomputers.

General & Special-Purpose Computers

• General-purpose computers include desktops, laptops, and servers.
• Special-purpose computers include:
  • Point of sale systems.
  • Medical imaging devices.
  • Computers in aircraft and automobiles.
  • Automotive diagnostic computers.
  • Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

Thin Clients

• Thin Clients heavily rely on a central server for processing and storage.
• They have minimal local processing and storage capabilities.
• Thin Clients are network-dependent and centrally managed.
• Examples of thin clients include hospital systems for accessing electronic health records and kiosks.

Mainframes

• IBM is a leading manufacturer of mainframes, such as the IBM z13 and z15.
• The IBM z13 can process 2.5 billion transactions per day.
• The IBM z15 can cost upwards of $4 million depending on configuration.
• "Z" stands for zero downtime.
• Mainframes are used for tasks such as processing payroll for millions of employees and tracking packages.

Supercomputers

• Supercomputers are the most powerful computer systems with the fastest processing speeds.
• They are used for complex calculations in fields like weather forecasting and AI research.
• Most supercomputers use both CPU and GPU chips.
• Examples of supercomputers include Aramco's Dammam-7 and NVIDIA DGX.
• Frontier, as of April 2023, is the world's fastest supercomputer, a first exascale supercomputer. It cost around $600 million to build.

Anatomy of a Computer

• Hardware encompasses components for input, processing, data storage, and output.
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) manages instruction execution and sequencing.

Cache Memory

• Cache memory is faster to access than main memory and is located near the CPU.

Types of Memory

• Read-Only Memory (ROM) is nonvolatile, storing permanent data and instructions.
• ROM is responsible for booting a computer and was used in gaming cartridges.

Secondary Data Storage Devices

• Secondary storage devices provide persistent data and program storage, surpassing the capacity of main memory.
• They are nonvolatile, offer greater capacity, and are more affordable than main memory.
• They are not directly accessed by the CPU, instead relying on input/output channels to transfer data to primary storage.
• Common types include magnetic (hard disks), optical (CD, DVD, Blu-ray), and solid state (SSDs, USB sticks).

Magnetic Secondary Storage Devices

• RAID 1 involves disk mirroring, where data is duplicated across two disks for fault tolerance.
• While RAID 1 offers resilience, it requires twice the disk space.
• Other RAID configurations include RAID 5 and RAID 10.

Optical Secondary Storage Devices

• Optical storage utilizes lasers to read and write data.
• Examples include CD-ROM, DVD, and Blu-ray discs.

Solid State Secondary Storage Devices

• Solid-state storage devices (SSDs) use memory chips for data storage.
• They offer lower power consumption, faster access, and greater robustness compared to hard disks.
• USB flash drives are a common example.

Enterprise Storage Options

• Attached storage is directly connected to a single computer or server and is ideal for local storage of files and applications.
• Network-attached storage (NAS) devices connect directly to a network, offer their own IP addresses, and are suitable for small businesses and home users.
• Storage Area Networks (SANs) specialize in storage and are used by organizations requiring high availability and scalability.
• Storage as a Service (Cloud Storage) involves remotely hosted storage accessed via the internet.
  • Cloud providers lease storage space to individuals and organizations.
  • Examples for consumers include Apple iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive.
  • Enterprises utilize services like Amazon's Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3).

Input and Output Devices

• Input and output devices facilitate user interaction with computers, providing data input and displaying results.
• They constitute the user interface.
• Choosing input and output devices should align with business objectives, as specific functions may be required.

Servers

• Servers are computers used by numerous users to provide specific tasks and services.
• Web servers deliver web content.
• DNS servers convert domain names into machine-readable IP addresses.
• Mail Servers handle email sending, reception, and storage.
• File Servers manage file and data storage and sharing on networks.

Server Types

• Tower Servers resemble traditional desktop computer towers.
• Rack Servers are designed to be mounted in standard server racks.

Mainframes

• Mainframes are powerful large computers (servers) built for handling high transaction volumes with exceptional reliability.
• Their key benefits include minimal downtime and the capacity to process large numbers of transactions simultaneously.
• A common example is credit card transaction processing.