Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a...
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Transcript of Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a...
![Page 1: Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) Speed: Fast. Normally measured.](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de85503460f94ae2f4a/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Introduction to computers
![Page 2: Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) Speed: Fast. Normally measured.](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de85503460f94ae2f4a/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
What is a personal computer?
Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM)
Speed: Fast. Normally measured in GHz.
Costs: Getting cheaper by the day.
Typical Users: Home users, large and small office users. Education, Doctors.
In fact just about everyone needs to know how to operate a PC these days.
![Page 3: Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) Speed: Fast. Normally measured.](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de85503460f94ae2f4a/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Laptop & palmtop computers Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working
memory (RAM) – Often less powerful than for a PC of equivalent price.
Speed: Fast. Normally measured in GHz. Often speed specifications are less than
for a PC of equivalent price.
Costs: Components need to be much more compact, so there is a price overhead when compared to a PC of equivalent power.
Typical Users: Business users, people on the move, educational users.
![Page 4: Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) Speed: Fast. Normally measured.](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de85503460f94ae2f4a/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
handheld portable digital devicesPersonal digital assistants (PDAs)Mobile (Cell) phonesSmart phonesMultimedia players
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Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) These devices use a special pen, rather than a
keyboard and can be used for storing and retrieving information. Like most computer devices, many can connect to the Internet. They are extremely compact.
Capacity: Much smaller storage capacity compared to a PC.
Speed: Much less than a PC unless you pay a lot extra.
Costs: In relative terms expensive when compared to a PC.
Typical Users: Mostly business users.
![Page 6: Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) Speed: Fast. Normally measured.](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de85503460f94ae2f4a/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Mobile phones (cell phones)
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Media playersMedia players allow you to store digital
music and video.
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Smartphonesis a mobile phone (cell phone) offering
advanced computer like features. Capabilities and standards vary from one manufacturer to another.
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Parts of a computerCentral processing unit (CPU)The memoryThe hard diskInput and output devices
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The CPUControl UnitArithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)RegistersBUS
![Page 11: Introduction to computers. What is a personal computer? Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) Speed: Fast. Normally measured.](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de85503460f94ae2f4a/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Memory (RAM)where the operating system is loaded
to when you switch on your computer.
where your applications are copied to when you start an application,
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ROM-BIOS(Read Only Memory - Basic Input Output
System)
is a special chip held on your computer's system (mother) board.
It contains software which is required to make your computer work with your operating system
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The Hard DiskHard disks are the main, large data
storage areas within your computer. Hard disks are used to store your
operating system, your application programs
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Input/output portsInput and Output ports
are normally located at the back or on the side of your computer.
These include ports such as USB, serial, parallel, network ports.
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Factors affecting computer performanceCPU Clock speedRAM sizeHard disk speed and storageFree hard disk spaceMultitasking considerations
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Types of storage mediaInternal hard disksExternal hard disksCDsDVDsRecordable CD & DVD drivesUSB flash drives (memory sticks)Memory cardsNetwork drives and on-line file storageFloppy disks (diskettes)
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Input Devices Keyboard Mouse Scanners Tracker balls Touch pads Joysticks Web cams Digital cameras Microphones
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Output Devices Traditional computer monitor Flat screen computer screens Projection devices Speakers and headphones Speech synthesizers Printers
Laser printers Colour laser printers Inkjet printers Dot Matrix printers