Chapter One: Fundamentals of

Computer Hardware

Lesson One: Types of Computers

Welcome to the Digital Savvy course! In these chapters, you are going to explore a
variety of computer-related topics. You will gain a better understanding of how to
use a computer and how computers impact the world around you. You'll even get a
chance to write some simple computer programs.

This first chapter will teach you about the kinds of computers and the basic pieces of
hardware found in each computer. We'll begin in this lesson by describing some
different types of computers and their uses.

Types of Computers
The very first computer, ENIAC, was created in the mid-1940s. Since that time we
have made many technical advances and developed a wide variety of computing
devices. Some of today's computers are very small and can only work on specific
tasks. Others are very large and can work with all kinds of data at very fast speeds.
We can categorize computers into groups based on their size, power, and purpose.

Mainframe Computer
 Mainframe computers are large, powerful
machines. The term "mainframe" originally
referred to the cabinet that contained the
Central Processor Unit (CPU), the "brains"
of the computer.

These computers are often used to manage

large business operations. They might be
used by banks, universities and insurance
companies to store information about
customers, students and financial
transactions. One of the most important
features of a mainframe computer is its
reputation for stability and dependability,
even while performing millions of
transactions per day.

Mainframe computers can be very large, possibly filling large cabinets or small
rooms. Since a mainframe has many processors and components, it may require a
special air-conditioned room to keep it cool and functioning normally.

How much computing power does a mainframe have? A mainframe is capable of

performing millions of calculations per second. In fact, mainframe processing speed
has commonly been measured in Millions of Instructions Per Second (MIPS).
However, a MIPS value alone doesn't tell the whole story, as the amount of time it
takes to complete a task depends on many factors and components outside of the
CPU itself. Today many mainframes will define a Service Unit as a way to represent
time spent executing a task on a CPU. Mainframe speed can then be measured in
Millions of Service Units per hour (MSU).

A mainframe computer is often used to execute many different programs

simultaneously. Mainframes can handle hundreds or even thousands of users at the
same time! Users of this computer system can connect remotely to the mainframe
through a special program on a smaller computer.

Minicomputer
 In the mid-1960s, businesses
needed a computer that was less
expensive and less powerful than a
mainframe. The minicomputer
was created to fill this need.
Minicomputers were also called
"midrange" computers and were
closer in size to the desktop
computers that you commonly use
for school and business today.

The minicomputer could not hold

as much data or process
instructions as quickly as a
mainframe computer. However, they were not meant for simple tasks. Instead, these
computers were commonly used to store information or process orders for small
businesses or to monitor production machines in an industrial setting. These
computers could support up to 200 users and programs all at the same time!

By the mid-1980s, most minicomputers were obsolete. The rapidly improving

microcomputers were able to perform the same tasks much more cheaply.

Microcomputer

You are probably most familiar with the

class of computers known as
microcomputers. Microcomputers
include the personal desktop computers,
laptops, tablets and smartphones that you
use in everyday life.

Microcomputers are becoming smaller and

smaller due to advances in technology.
However, they are still powerful and
useful machines. Microcomputers can hold
reasonable amounts of data, perform mathematical operations, and run a wide
variety of software.

You will find specialized microcomputers in many areas around your home. Your
gaming console, home network connection, car navigation systems, scientific
calculators, and even your new television are powered by microcomputers. The
things that can be done on a tiny computer today would astound users of
minicomputers and mainframes a few decades ago!
Supercomputer

The largest and most powerful type of computer

is called the supercomputer. Supercomputers
have the highest available performance and data
processing abilities in the world. They are made
by connecting together very large numbers of
CPUs or "cores".

Size is one of the most obvious differences

between a supercomputer and all other types.
Supercomputers might fill a whole room or even a small building. These computers
are so large and contain so many processors that they need an air-conditioned room
to keep the computer cool while it is running.

You get a lot of computing power in these large sizes! A supercomputer is capable of
performing trillions of calculations per second. The exact processing speed of this
type of computer is commonly measured in something called FLOPS. FLOPS stands
for Floating-Point Operations Per Second. A floating-point number is a decimal
number that is stored and used in mathematical operations on a computer. Today's
supercomputers can be measured in TeraFLOPS (TFLOPS), or trillions of FLOPS.

Supercomputing power comes in handy for specific tasks like weather forecasting,
nuclear weapons testing and simulations, scientific studies and calculations needed
for space explorations. While mainframes and microcomputers will typically handle a
large number of tasks at the same time, supercomputers are often dedicated to
working out one very complex problem at a time.

Should you look into purchasing a supercomputer to help you finish your math
homework in record time? Probably not. A typical supercomputer can cost many
millions of dollars. In fact, due to the cost, space, and expertise needed to run
supercomputers, there aren't that many of them in the world! The table below shows
some of the largest known supercomputers in use today.

Top Five Supercomputers in the World

RANK LOCATION SYSTEM NAME CORES TFLOPS

(CPUs)
1 National Supercomputer in Tianhe - 2 3,120,000 33,862.7
Guanzhou, China (MilkyWay - 2)
2 DOE/SC/Oak Ridge Titan - Cray 560,640 17,590.0
National Laboratory, United XK7, Cray Inc.
 States
3 DOE/NNSA/LLNL, United Sequoia - 1,572,864 17,173.2
States BlueGene/Q,
IBM
4 RIKEN Advanced Institute K Computer, 705,024 10,510.0
for Computational Science Tofu
(AICS) Japan Interconnect
Fujitsu.
5 DOE/SC/Argonne National Mira - 786,432 8,586.6
Laboratory, United States BlueGene/Q,
Custom IBM

This list will change over time as new supercomputers are developed. For example,
the United States and other countries are trying to develop Exascale Super
Computers. These powerful machines will be 30 times faster than today’s fastest
supercomputers.

Mobile & Communication Devices

Today, computers have become so small that many of us

carry them around in the form of smartphones and tablets.
These mobile devices allow us to run apps and communicate
with others.

An older cell phone has a very limited operating system and

can be used to make phone calls or send text messages.
Newer smartphones run complex operating systems like
Android or iOS. These phones have touch screens and can
run a huge variety of applications. From a smartphone, you
can communicate with others by voice calls, text
messages, group chat, email and social media.

A tablet is larger than a smartphone but usually smaller than

a laptop computer. The tablet has a touchscreen like a
smartphone and runs similar operating systems like Android or iOS. A tablet will
often connect to a local wireless network to get Internet access, though some tablets
may include cellular service.

Wireless devices like smartphones and tablets normally share some similar features.
 Feature Description
Install and Android and iOS devices allow you to install and run a wide variety
run apps of apps, including games, productivity tools (like email clients),
streaming entertainment services, and much more.
Touch Mobile devices normally have a touch screen instead of a mouse.
screen
WiFi Mobile devices can usually connect to your local WiFi network to
connections get an Internet connection. Smartphones will also use the cellular
network for Internet data when no WiFi network is available.
Bluetooth Many personal electronic devices like headphones or speakers will
connections connect with your mobile device over Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a
short-range wireless connection between two "paired" devices.
Airplane You can turn "on" airplane mode to disable your wireless and
mode cellular communications. Some airlines used to ask you to turn off
electronic devices when the plane was taking off or landing, so this
setting is called "airplane mode".
Locking Mobile devices with touch screens will go to sleep and lock their
screens when you stop using them for a few minutes. You can
usually press a button or swipe along the screen to unlock and
wake up the device.
Security When unlocking a device, you are often asked to identify yourself
with a PIN (security number), fingerprint, drawn pattern, or even a
facial recognition scan. This keeps your phone secure and private,
accessible only by the owner.

Computers are Everywhere

Computers are useful in nearly all kinds of business, academic, and personal
settings. For example, businesses use computers to enhance productivity in the
workplace. Employees can use word processing software to create documents,
spreadsheets to track and calculate numbers, and design software to create
presentations. Customers use computers to purchase products, create transactions
and pay bills.

In science laboratories, computers are used to help complete complex calculations

and run lab equipment. The Internet has even allowed scientists to use
"collaborative laboratories" where scientists from around the world can gather and
conduct large-scale experiments that would be impossible without computers.

In health care, computers have allowed doctors to keep better track of patient
records and help diagnose problems. Complex medical tests and images are made
possible by computing power. Computers are even used in experimental implants,
which may allow paralyzed people to move or deaf people to hear.

You have likely noticed computers in your classroom as well. Computers are used
frequently in education to deliver course content (like this lesson) - not only for
technical subjects, but for core subjects like math, language, geography, history, and
more! You can use computers to complete projects and visualize information in ways
that are not possible with a printed textbook.

How have computers impacted your personal life? Do you use a desktop or laptop
computer every day? Do you have a smartphone or tablet that you use to
communicate with your friends? Can you take long trips in the car and rely on a
computer navigation system instead of a paper map? Can you find information by
searching online instead of flipping through a printed encyclopedia? Thanks to
computers, your life is very different than the lives of people growing up just 5 or 10
years ago.

Work with Me: Your Computing Life

Take a little time to think about how you use computers each day. Make a
short list of things that you do that rely directly or indirectly on
computers. Some things are obvious, like:

Using your smartphone

Connecting to your friends on social media
Surfing the World Wide Web and watching videos online
Using a computer to complete a homework assignment
Playing a video game

Can you come up with any other examples of things you like to do that
would not be possible without computers? Share your best examples with
the class.
 Vocabulary List

Mainframe: Mainframe computers are large, powerful machines that are

often used to manage large business operations.

Millions of Instructions Per Second: A common measurement for

mainframe processing speed.

Service Unit: A way to represent time spent executing a task on a CPU.

Minicomputer: A computer that was used to store information or

process orders for small businesses or to monitor production machines in
an industrial setting.

Microcomputers: The class of computers that includes personal desktop

computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Supercomputer: The largest and most powerful type of computer with

the highest available performance and data processing abilities in the
world.

FLOPS: Used to measure the exact processing speed for a

supercomputer.

TeraFLOPS: Trillions of FLOPS are used to measure the speed of modern

supercomputers.

Smartphone: A smartphone is a pocket-sized cell phone with touch

screen and embedded operating system supporting software applications.

Tablet: A tablet is a very lightweight computer with integrated monitor,

usually with a touch screen instead of a keyboard.

End of Lesson