Understanding Personal Computers

Components of the CCT

• Personal computers are the most potent device out of the many devices created
• The devices are communications and creativity tools that can be molded into any form by the user
• Bill Gates believes the personal computer to be the most powerful tool humans use

Introduction

• In a previous chapter, information was given about a device that changed how humans work, live, and play
• In one's life, it only happens once that such invention occurs that touches every aspect of human life
• An incomparable invention is computers

How can one comprehend the computer?

• A computer is a group of devices
• It has laptops, desktops and tablets, etc.
• The name computer originated from it's primary function, calculating
• In general, it's believed that primary data is needed for any calculation, which is then operated
• The processes are acquiring data, processing it, storing it in memory at different levels of operation, preparing a set of data that's essential, and providing the operations' result
• A computer fundamentally implies a system of components that
  • takes data input and gives the output
  • a processing unit known as the CPU
  • a memory space that can either be ROM or RAM
• Memory and CPU processing abilities determine a computer's classification
• The way data is presented also defines how it is divided into analog and digital

Computer Classification

• Computers can be classified into two primary types based on data implementation Analog Computer
• Analog computers function with constant variables like signals/waves, their amplitude, etc. Digital Computer
• Digital computers function on the binary principle, with 0s and 1s
• Each value or sign is represented through a matched value

Types of Computers

Hybrid Computer

• A blend of analog and digital computers' capabilities
• Digital parts turn analog signals for performing robotics and other types of process control
• Hybrid computers have utility for air traffic and nationwide defense radar management Digital Computer
• The physical structure (size) and utility defines digital computers
• Ability, speed and reliability divides it into 3 categories Microcomputer
• The arrival of single-chip, large scale integrated circuit computer processors brought about the microcomputer
• The smallest single user computers has a CPU microprocessor
• It can operate like other computers, and use similar instructions
• The most frequently used personal computers

Types of personal computers

• Computer refers to digital computers, the most notable example being personal computers (PCs)
• These are mainly desktop, laptop, palmtop, personal digital assistant (PDA), and tablet PCs Desktop Computer
• Larger and not easily moved
• Put on a desk or table
• Plug into the wall for power
• The CPU is located in the computer tower
• The tower is directly set on the desk (desktop model), or stands like a tower(tower model)
• Keyboard and mouse allows the user can enter data and give commands
• The tower model is space efficient, and effortlessly adds storage Laptop
• Small portable computer that can rest on a lap
• Laptops are also called notebook computers

Hand-held computer/Palmtop

• Smaller than a laptop, and held in a palm
• Most palm computers don't have a disc drive due to smaller size
• Palm computers have limits compared to large computers, but practical for phonebooks and calendars
• Also called pocket computers

Personal Digital Computer/Assistant

• Palmtops using pens for input instead of keyboards, are often called PDAs
• Handheld phone combining calculations, telephone, fax and networking
• A PDA works as a cell phone, fax sender and personal organizer
• Apple found them, starting the Newton Message Pad in 1993

Tablet PC

• Notebook slate-shaped PC
• Has touch screen or graphics table used like digital pen or stylus
• Broad textual input can be connected to a wireless keyboard
• Tablet PC models can be converted(screen turns over keyboard)
• Hybrid models have screens connected to a keyboard

Workstation

• A powerful, single user personal computer
• Its microprocessor is more powerful and typically employs a high-quality monitor
• Great for computer aided design. and other applications

Server

• A computer whose job is running networks of computers
• Shares devices like the printer, and controls contact between network computers
• Should be more capable than a desktop, requiring more power, memory storage, faster communications

Minicomputer

• This is a multi-user computer that helps people at once
• Often more powerful than the microcomputer
• Called a medium cost computer
• Costs and computing ability is between micro and mainframe computers
• Use for several user and contact applications

Mainframe Computer

• A powerful multi-user computer capable of aiding a thousand users simultaneously
• Capable of quick implementation and increased storage
• Used in research orgs, major industries, substantial trade, government agencies, air-line booking that calls for big databases

Super Computer

• Meant for bulky data processing
• Used in complications like meteorological prediction, military research and advancement, plasma nuclear physics
• Processing speed is in the 400-10000 million instructions/second range
• A few examples are Eka(developed by Tata group in India), Param (developed by CDAC in India), , SX-3R
• HITACHI S-300 is the most advanced supercomputer

Computer Evolution Summary

Vacuum bulbs based computers

• bulky, slow, machine and assembly languages Transistor based computer
• less power
• higher level language Integrated Circuit
• more memory
• shared purpose potential and compiler Microprocessor Development
• more speed, web based