Unit 1

Types and Components of

Computer Systems
Objectives according to 2023 - 2025 Syllabus

● Should know and understand

○ Hardware and Software
○ Analogue and digital data
● Should know and understand
○ Central processing unit (CPU)
○ Internal memory
○ Input/output devices
○ Backing storage
● Should know and understand
○ Operating systems
● Should know and understand
○ Desktop and mobile computers
● Should know and understand the Impact of emerging technologies

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Internal Hardware Devices - inside the computer

Hardware - Physical components of computer system (Monitor, mouse,

motherboards, memory, etc.)

Central The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer. It

Processing is the device that carries out calculations
Unit (CPU)
to complete software instructions.

Motherboard The motherboard is circuit board which

connects to main components of the
computer system.

Memory Any data or instructions that are to be

processed by the CPU must be placed

into main memory.

Sound Card A sound card is a device that attaches to

the motherboard to enable the computer
to input, process, and deliver sound

Graphic A graphics card is a device that attaches

Cards to the motherboard to enable the
computer to process and display
graphics.

Internal Hard A hard disk drive is a hardware device

Disk that's used to store information like
software and files. The capacity of hard
drive ranges from GB to Terabytes.
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External Hardware Devices - outside the
computer
Monitors / Screens Output Device

Keyboards and Mice Input Device

External storage Storage

devices

Printers and Output Device

Scanners

Speakers and Output Device

Microphones

Created by Ali Papila for ETHOS International School, 2022

Software
● Instructions that tell computer hardware what to do
● They are written in a computer language (JAVA, Python, C#, etc)
● Software is of two types: Application and System Software

Application Software System Software

Designed to carry out certain Programs that control the computer by

operations. They allow users to perform giving step-by-step instructions.
specific tasks
● Operating systems
● Word-processing ● Device drivers
● Spreadsheet ● Compilers
● Database management systems ● Linkers
● Browse Internet

System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate

Programs that control computer hardware and give instructions that tell the
hardware what to do.

● Operating Systems - Controls system resources and processes

● Device drivers - Supply instructions to the hardware
● Compilers - Converts programming languages to 0s and 1s (binary)
● Linkers - Part of a compiler. Create links between the code and other
resources (such as libraries)
● Utilities - Help user with everyday tasks (File maintenance, compressing
files, installing/uninstalling files, formatting disks, etc)

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Analog and Digital Data
An analogue signal is one which has a value
that varies smoothly.

Sound waves are analogue, where the waves

varies smoothly and these waves can be
converted to electrical signal (analogue) by
microphone

Computers (and most other modern electronic devices such as cameras, mobile
phones, etc.) are ‘digital’ devices because they process data in the form of
numbers (digits).
Computers cannot process analogue data, they
need to be converted to digital data

Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC)

Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)

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The Main Components of Computer
Systems

Mouse, Keyboard CPU, ROM, and Printer, monitor,

RAM speakers, etc

Internal Hard Disk

Drive, DVD R/W

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 The Main Components of Computer
Systems

Components Role

Processor (CPU) ● Controls the step-by-step running of the computer system

● Performs all the calculations and logical operations
● Deals with the storage of data and programs

Internal memory ● Consists of read-only memory (ROM) and random access

memory (RAM)
● ROM and RAM are stored on chips
● ROM: the user cannot change its content. It hold BIOS
(basic input/output system) to boot up the computer
● RAM: the processor can read and write to this. Holds the
programs and data currently being used.
● A computer with more RAM can run more programs at the
same time and may appear to run faster. This is mainly
because the processor has all the data it needs close at
hand and does not have to keep saving and retrieving data
from the backing storage

Input devices ● Used to get raw data into the computer ready for processing
by the CPU.
● There can manual and automatic input devices
● Manual input devices: operated by humans (mouse,
keyboard, scanner, etc,)
● Automatic input devices: Once they are set up they can be
left to input the data on their own (optical mark reader,
barcode/QR reader, etc)

Output devices ● Take the raw data processed by CPU so it becomes

information that human can see/touch/hear. (Monitors,
speakers, projector, etc)

Backing storage ● Long-term storage of programs and data.

● Storage of data and programs that are needed instantly by
the computer.
● Stores copies of dat/programs in case the originals are lost

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Differences between RAM and ROM

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Operating System
Programs that controls hardware directly by giving instructions that tell computer hardware
what to do.

Tasks of Operating System

● Handles Inputs and Outputs

● Recognise hardware
● Superwise the running of other programs
● Handles the storage of data
● Maximises the use of computer memory
● Handles interrupts and decides what action to take

User interfaces
Command Line User Interface

A command line interface (CLI) requires user to type in a series of commands which must
be precisely typed. These commands can be hard to remember, so it is harder to use.
(MS-DOS - Microsoft Disk Operating System, Linux.

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User interfaces
Graphical User Interface (GUI)

It is more user friendly, because it uses WIMP (Windows, Icon, Menu, Pointer).
MS Windows, macOS, Ubuntu

Dialogue-Based Interface

It is more user friendly, because it uses WIMP (Windows, Icon, Menu, Pointer).
MS Windows, macOS, Ubuntu

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Types of computers
Personal Computer (PCs) or Desktop Computers:

Type of computer that you most likely to see at home or at school.

Advantages over laptop Disadvantages compared with laptops

● Usually have higher specifications ● Not portable as they have larger

(faster processor, more RAM and hardware connected to it.
ROM, more storage, etc) ● There are many wires which
● The keyboard is separate to needs to be disconnected when
screen, so it can be adjusted to moving the computer
users need. So less likely to suffer ● You can’t take it home to do work,
from backache or repetitive strain so need to copy files to use at
injury (RSI) home.
● Cheaper to buy, repair, and
upgrade
● Keyboards and mouse are easier
to use, because they are bigger
that the ones on mobile devices.

Laptops

Designed t be portable and used while on the move.

Advantages over desktops Disadvantages compared with desktops

● Smaller and lighter and easily ●

Smaller and non adjustable
transportable. keyboards are more difficult to
● Can be used on you lap when use.
there is no flat surface available. ● The pointing device is harder to
● Can be used without power source use than a mouse (however, you
as they have batteries. can connect mouse to the laptop)
● Files do not need to be transferred ● The base of laptop can get how,
between work and home which when it is not on a flat surface and
save time. that can cause damages
● They can easily get stolen
● They have limited battery life, so
you need to carry adapter so they
can be recharged.
Created by Ali Papila for ETHOS International School, 2022
Types of computers
Tablet Computers

These are mobile computers with a display, electronic circuitry and battery in a single thin
unit. Designed to be portable.

Features of Tablet Computers

Camera, Speaker, Microphone, Handwriting recognition, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connection, and

ability to use 3G/4G/5G network access.

Smartphones

Have most of the features of a tablet computer but their small size limits their use for
certain applications.

Features of a Smartphones

● Clock, alarm, calendar and calculator

● 3G/4G/5G telephony
● WiFi access to the internet
● Phone calls, SMS and voice messaging
● GPS
● MP3 player
● Camera and photo-editing
● Video
● Can run small programs called apps

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Impact of Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies are those that are likely to make great impact on our everyday lives
in the future

Artificial It is the science of getting computers to learn in a similar way to the

Intelligence way the human brain learns new things.
The aim of AI is to make computers more intelligent and make things
out themselves.

Biometrics Uses property of the human body to identify people. Three main
properties are Fingerprints, Retinal scanning, pattern on the iris.

Computer Type of translation from one language into another.

Assisted
Translation

Quantum Uses special branch of physics called quantum mechanics to produce

cryptography a very secure method of encryption. It has the ability to identify
eavesdroppers and stops communication. Used by military and
financial institutions.

Vision Uses special sensors (cameras) that detect information from images
Enhancement outside the visible spectrum. Used in cars, for people with low vision.

3D Holographic 3D gives the illusion of depth in an image. Holographic imaging uses

Imaging laser light to form an image of an object.

Virtual Reality Simulation of real world.

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Impact of Emerging Technologies
Robotics

Widely used by manufacturing for painting and welding in car factories.

Advantages Disadvantages

● Can operate continuously 24/7 ● Initial cost can be really high

● Less expensive to run as you ● Equipment can go wrong
don’t have to pay wages ● Can lead to unemployment
● Can reprogram to do other tasks ● Need specialist to program, which
● More accurate than humans can be expensive
● Can react quickly to changes in
conditions

Created by Ali Papila for ETHOS International School, 2022