Types and

components of
computer systems
1. a. hardware devices, definition and
purpose
 Hardware is a general term for the physical
components that make up a computer system.
1.a. i. internal hardware
 Internal is a term used to describe a device that is
installed within the computer casing. For example,
a video card is an internal device and a printer is
an external device.
 Internal hardware devices include processor,
motherboards, random access memory (RAM),
read-only memory (ROM), video cards, sound
cards and internal hard disk drives.
1.a. i. the central processing unit
The central processing unit is a part of the computer which interprets
and
executes the commands
from the computer
hardware and software.
1.a. i. the motherboard
 A motherboard is a printed circuit board
containing the principal components of a
computer or other device, with connectors for
other circuit boards to be slotted into.
1.a. i. random access memory
 Random access memory is an internal chip
where data are temporarily stored while running
applications. This memory can be written to and
read from.
1.a. i. read-only memory
 Read only memory is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent it is often
used to contain, for example, configuration data for a computer system.
1.a. i. the video card
 A video card connects to the motherboard of a computer system and generates output images to
display. Video cards are also referred to as graphics cards. Video cards include a processing unit,
memory, a cooling mechanism and connections to a display device.
1.a. i. the sound card
 Most of your music collection is probably in digital format, either on CDs or as files on your
computer. In order to be able to listen to your music, a sound card converts digital data to analog
sound waves you can hear. The output signal is then connected to a headphone or set of speakers.
1.a. i. internal hard disk
 The internal hard drive is the computer’s main
storage. This is where the application software, disc
operating system and data files are stored.
A read-write head
1.a. ii. Peripheral devices
 A peripheral device is generally defined as any
auxiliary device that connects to and works with
the computer in some way. Examples of
peripherals are mouse, keyboards, scanners,
microphones, loudspeakers, webcams, and digital
cameras. (images ahead)
A scanner
A webcam
A digital camera
A microphone
1.a. iii. Input devices
 An input device is a peripheral (piece of computer
hardware equipment) used to provide data and
control signals to an information processing
system such as a computer. Examples : keyboards,
mouse, scanners, web cameras and joysticks.
A joystick
1.a. iv. Output devices
 An output device is any device used to send data
from a computer to another device or user. Most
computer data output that is meant for humans is
in the form of audio or video. Thus, most output
devices used by humans are in these categories.
Examples include monitors, projectors, speakers,
headphones and printers. (images ahead)
LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors
(LED)
CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors
projectors
headphones
printers
1.a. v. storage devices
 A storage device is any computing hardware that is
used for storing, and extracting data files and
objects. It can hold and store information both
temporarily and permanently, and can be internal
or external to a computer.
 Examples include external hard disks, portable
flash drives, CDs, and DVDs.
External hard drive
Portable flash drive
CDs and DVDs
1. b. i. software types, definition and
purpose
 Software is the general term for the programs
that control the computer system. (intangible)
 There are two types of software: 
1. System software
2. Application software
1. b. ii. System software
 System software is a type of computer program that
is designed to run a computer’s hardware and
application programs. For example: compilers,
linkers, device drivers and operating systems.
1. b. ii. compiler
A compiler is a computer program (or a set of
programs) that transforms source code written in a
programming language into a language the
computer understands (the object code).
1. b. ii. linker

Linker is a program used with a compiler or

assembler to provide links to the libraries needed for
an executable program.
1. b. ii. Device driver
A device driver is a program that controls a
particular type of device that is attached to your
computer. There are device drivers for printers,
displays, CD-ROM readers, diskette drives, and so
on. When you buy an operating system, many device
drivers are built into the product.
1. b. ii. Operating system
Operating system is the low-level software that
supports a computer's basic functions, such as
scheduling tasks and controlling peripherals.
1. b. iii. application software
 Anapplication is any program, or a group of
programs, that is designed for the end user (e.g.
word processing, spreadsheet, database
management systems, photo-editing software, and
video-editing software).
1. b. iii. application software
 A word processing software is the one that performs the task of
composition, editing, formatting, printing of documents.

A spreadsheet is an electronic document in which data are

arranged in the rows and columns of a grid and can be
manipulated and used in calculations.

A database management system (DBMS) is application

software for creating and managing databases. The DBMS
provides users and programmers with a systematic way to create,
retrieve, update and manage data.
MS Word
MS Excel (spreadsheet)
MS access (Database management
system)
1. b. iii. application software
An photo-editing software (image editor or photo editor) is a
software program used to edit or otherwise manipulate an image,
picture or other graphic. One of the most popular and powerful
image editors is Adobe Photoshop.

Video editing software is the software that facilitates the process

of editing segments of motion video production footage, special
effects and sound recordings in the post-production process.
Photo-editing software
Video editing software
1. c. types of computer
 personal/desktop computer; used as a standalone or
networked computer
 laptop computer; used as a standalone or networked
computer
 tablet computer and its ability to use wireless
technology or 3G/4G technology
 smartphone
 describe the uses, advantages and disadvantages of
each type of computer
Standalone and networked computers
A standalone computer is a self-sufficient
system. There is no connection to any other
computer. For various tasks such as writing a
memo or creating a spreadsheet, the software
applications installed on the standalone’s hard
drive are used. The standalone may also have a
printer, scanner, or external hard drive attached to
its CPU to print or scan a document, or implement
a backup system.
Usefulness of a standalone system
An advantage of a standalone computer system is that it
is more secure than computers that are part of a network.
A standalone lessens and eliminates the concern that
hackers, spyware, or viruses can compromise
confidential information by accessing it.
Usefulness of a standalone system
The major disadvantage of not being part of a network
is not being able to accomplish any tasks that require an
internet connection such as e-mail, browsing the internet
or sharing files with other users – anything that is not
locally stored on the computer’s hard drive.
A standalone system
Networked computer
A networked computer is a computer that connects to one or more
computers for the main purpose of communicating.

The advantage of a networked computer is that it shares resources such as

software applications (application server), printers (print server), disk
drives (backup server) and data files (file server) with the other networked
computers.

A disadvantage of being a network computer is the possibility of becoming

a victim of computer hackers, viruses or spyware. With the possibility of a
real threat, it would be in your best interest to install a virus protection
software.

Although, a standalone computer system has certain security advantages

compared to a network computer, it is not very effective in today’s world of
technology. Data communication and networking are the way of the world,
requiring the need to create a highway of data through a network computer.
Networked computers
1. c. Types of Computer
1. Personal computer (PC)
A personal computer is a small, relatively
inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.
In price, personal computers range anywhere from a
few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. All are
based on the microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip.
A personal computer
1. c. ii.
2. A laptop, often called a notebook, or notebook computer, is a
portable personal computer with a "clamshell" form factor, with a
keyboard on the lower part of the "clamshell" and a thin LCD/LED
computer screen on the upper portion, which is opened up to use
the computer. Laptops are folded shut for transportation, and thus
are suitable for mobile use. Although originally there was a
distinction between laptops and notebooks, the former being bigger
and heavier than the latter, as of 2014, there is often no longer any
difference. Laptops are commonly used in a variety of settings,
such as at work, in education, and for personal multimedia and
home computer use.
A laptop
1. c. iii.
3. A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a mobile
computer with a touchscreen display, circuitry, and battery in a
single device. Tablets come equipped with sensors, including
cameras, a microphone, and an accelerometer, and the touchscreen
display uses the recognition of finger or stylus gestures replacing
the usage of the mouse and keyboard. They usually feature on-
screen, pop-up virtual keyboards for typing. Tablets may have
physical buttons for basic features such as speaker volume and
power, and ports for network communications and battery charging.
Tablets are typically larger than smartphones or personal digital
assistants with screens 7 inches (18 cm) or larger, measured
diagonally.
A tablet
1. c. iii.
All tablets can connect to the internet via wi-fi, but
some models also let you use 3G or 4G mobile internet
connections. These let you surf the web and check your
emails over a mobile network while out and about. If
you have wireless internet in your house, or if you use
a public wi-fi hotspot, you can browse the internet on
your tablet using wi-fi. But when you aren't connected
to wi-fi, 3G or 4G internet can step into the breach if
the tablet supports them. The downside is the added
cost of mobile internet data.
1. c. iv.
4. Smartphones are distinguished from traditional
feature phones by the way they integrate new and
emerging technologies into mobile devices. While
feature phones focus on basic features such as voice
calls and text messaging, the smartphone market
includes the basics but adds many extras, including
mobile apps, screen quality, multimedia capability,
wireless communication and hardware sensors. The
technology found in smartphones is constantly
evolving and redefining the mobile device market.
A smartphone
1. d. emerging technologies
 Learnhow emerging technologies are having an
impact on everyday life (e.g. artificial intelligence,
biometrics, vision enhancement, robotics, quantum
cryptography, computer-assisted translation, 3D
and holographic imaging, virtual reality)
1. d. i. artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the theory and
development of computer systems that are able to
perform tasks normally requiring human
intelligence, such as visual perception, speech
recognition, decision-making, and translation
between languages.
Artificial intelligence
1. d. ii. biometrics
Biometrics is the measurement and statistical analysis of
people's physical and behavioral characteristics. The
technology is mainly used for identification and access
control, or for identifying individuals that are under
surveillance. (The term "biometrics" is derived from the
Greek words "bio" meaning life and "metric" meaning to
measure.)
Biometrics-iris scanning
Biometrics-Facial scanning
Biometrics-Fingertip scanning
1. d. iii. Vision enhancement
 Low-vision enhancement (LVES) systems use
video technology through a headset connected to a
computer. The system allows images to be
projected inside he headset in front of the eyes.
This effectively brings the object closer for
examination by the user of the system.
Vision enhancement
1. d. iii. Vision enhancement
 Night vision enhancement (NVE) amplifies
infrared light and visible light so that an image can
still be seen in apparent darkness. The dim light
source is captured and passed through an image
intensifier tube, that coverts the light into
electrons. These electrons pass through another
tube where they are amplified to produce several
times the original number of electrons. This results
in an image considerably clearer than the original.
Night vision enhancement
1. d. iv. robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals
with the design, construction, operation, and
application of robots.
robotics
1. d. vi. CAT
Computer-assisted translation, computer-aided
translation or CAT is a form of language
translation in which a human translator uses
computer software to support and facilitate the
translation process.
CAT
1. d. vii. 3D computer graphics
 3D computer graphics (in contrast to 2D
computer graphics) are graphics that use a three-
dimensional representation of geometric data
(often Cartesian) that is stored in the computer for
the purposes of performing calculations and
rendering 2D images.
3D computer graphics
1. d. viii. Virtual reality
Virtual reality is the computer-generated
simulation of a three-dimensional image or
environment that can be interacted with in a
seemingly real or physical way by a person using
special electronic equipment, such as a helmet
with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Virtual reality
THANK YOU!