McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Chapter 1

Introducing Computer
Systems

McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 The Computer Defined
• Electronic device
• Converts data into information
• Modern computers are digital
– Two digits combine to make data (0, 1)

1A-3
 The Computer Defined
• Older computers were analog
– A range of values made data

1A-4
 The Computer Defined
• Older computers were analog
– A more manageable type -- the old-
fashioned slide rule

1A-5
 Computers for Individual Use
• Computers can
be shared by
multiple users
but can be used
by only one
person at a time.

1A-6
 Computers for Individual Use
• Although PCs are used by individuals,
they also can be connected together to
create networks.

1A-7
 Computers for Individual Use
• Desktop computers
– The most common type of computer
– Sits on the desk or floor
– Performs a variety of tasks

1A-8
 Computers for Individual Use
• Desktop computers
– Different design types

1A-9
 Computers for Individual Use
• Workstations
– Specialized computers
– Optimized for science or graphics
– More powerful than a desktop

1A-10
 Computers for Individual Use
• Notebook computers
– Small portable computers
– Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds

1A-11
 Computers for Individual Use
• Notebook computers
– About 8 ½ by 11 inches
– Typically as powerful as a desktop
– Can include a docking station

1A-12
 Computers for Individual Use
• Tablet computers
– Newest development
in portable
computers
– Input is through
a pen
– Run specialized
versions of office
products

1A-13
 Computers for Individual Use
• Handheld computers, palm computer
– Very small computers
– Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
– Note taking or contact management
– Data can synchronize with a desktop

1A-14
 Computers for Individual Use
• Smart phones
– Hybrid of
cell phone
and PDA
– Web surfing,
e-mail access

1A-15
 Computers for Organizations
• Network servers
– Centralized computer
– All other computers connect

1A-16
 Computers for Organizations
• Network servers
– Provides access to network resources
– Multiple servers are called server farms
– Often simply a powerful desktop: Google

1A-17
 Computers for Organizations
• Network servers
– Flexibility to different kinds of tasks

Computers for Organizations

1A-18
 Computers for Organizations
• Network servers
– Users use the Internet as a means of
connecting even if away from the offices.

1A-19
 Computers for Organizations
• Mainframes
– Used in large organizations
– Handle thousands of users
– Users access through a terminal

1A-20
 Computers for Organizations
• Mainframes
– Large and powerful systems

1A-21
 Computers for Organizations
• Minicomputers
– Called midrange computers
– Power between mainframe and desktop
– Handle hundreds of users
– Used in smaller organizations
– Users access through a terminal

1A-22
 Computers for Organizations
• Supercomputers
– The most powerful
computers made
– Handle large and
complex calculations
– Process trillions of
operations per
second
– Found in research
organizations

1A-23
 Computers in Society
• More impact than any other invention
– Changed work and leisure activities
– Used by all demographic groups
• Computers are important because:
– Provide information to users
– Information is critical to our society
– Managing information is difficult

1A-24
 Computers in Society
• Impact of computers
– Like the Impact of automobile

1A-25
 Computers in Society
• The benefits of using computers
– As varied as users

1A-26
 Computers in Society
• Computers at home
– Many homes have multiple computers
– Most American homes have Internet
– Computers are used for
• Communication

1A-27
 Computers in Society
• Computers at home
– Computers are used for
• Business
• Entertainment
• Schoolwork
• Finances

1A-28
 Computers in Society
• Computers in education
– Computer literacy required at all levels

1A-29
 Computers in Society
• Computers in small business
– Makes businesses more profitable
– Allows owners to manage

1A-30
 Computers in Society
• Computers in industry
– Computers are
used to design
products
– Assembly
lines are
automated

1A-31
 Computers in Society
• Computers in government
– Necessary to track data for population
• Police officers

• Tax calculation and collection

1A-32
 Computers in Society
• Computers in health care
– Revolutionized health care
– New treatments possible
– Scheduling of patients has improved
– Delivery of medicine is safer

1A-33
 Review Questions
1. What is a computer?
2. Explain a few of the different ways in which
computers can be categorized.
3. List six types of computers that are designed
for use by a single person.
4. Describe the two common designs for
desktop computers.
5. How much do notebook computers typically
weigh?
6. List four types of computers that are
designed for use by organizations, and are
commonly used by multiple people at the
same time.
1A-34
 Review Questions
7. Why are mainframe systems usually
limited in the number of tasks they
perform?
8. What is the most popular use for home
computers?
9. How are computer technologies used
by the military?
10. How are computer technologies being
used to train surgeons?
1A-35
 Task due 7 Nov th

• Open your personal computer at home and list the hardware specification as detailed as possible, including
the manufacturer, product type, and serial number. List every software installed on your personal computer.
For example:
• PC: HP
• CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1.8G Hz
• Motherboard: S45GMAX
• SDRAM: 1GB DDR
• AGP 3D/64MB SGRAM
• hard disk: 260GB
• flash disk drive: 1GB
• monitor: Lemel 17 inch TFT-LCD, Model: LC-AE
• power supply: 250W, ATX compatible
• keyboard: 104 keys Chinese-English
• CD-ROM drive: 52 times speed
• DVD-RW drive: 6 times speed
• sound blaster card:
• speakers: Trois DS 621G
• mouse: Logitech Optical Mouse
• anti-virus software: Norton AntiVirus
• anti-virus software: Trend Micro/Internet Phone
• OS: Microsoft Windows XP
• productivity software: Microsoft Office XP
• …

1A-36
 Parts of the Computer System
• Computer systems have four parts
– Hardware
– Software
– Data
– User

1B-37
 Parts of the Computer System
• Hardware
– Mechanical devices in the computer
– Anything that can be touched
• Software
– Tell the computer what to do
– Also called a program
– Thousands of programs exist

1B-38
 Parts of the Computer System
• Data
– Pieces of information
– Computers organize and present data
• Users
– People operating the computer
– Most important part
– Tell the computer what to do

1B-39
 Information Processing Cycle
• Steps followed to process data
• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

1B-40
 Essential Computer Hardware
• Computers use the same basic
hardware
• Hardware categorized into four types

1B-41
 Essential Computer Hardware
• Processing devices
– Brains of the computer
– Carries out instructions from the program
– Manipulate the data
– Most computers have several processors
– Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– Secondary processors
– Processors made of silicon and copper

1B-42
 Essential Computer Hardware
• Memory devices
– Stores data or programs
– Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Volatile
• Stores current data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster system
– Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Permanent storage of programs
• Holds the computer boot directions

1B-43
 Essential Computer Hardware
• Input and output devices
– Allows the user to interact
– Input devices accept data
• Keyboard, mouse
– Output devices deliver data
• Monitor, printer, speaker
– Some devices are input and output
• Touch screens

1B-44
 Essential Computer Hardware
• Storage devices
– Hold data and programs permanently
– Different from RAM
– Magnetic storage
• Floppy and hard drive
• Uses a magnet to access data
– Optical storage
• CD and DVD drives
• Uses a laser to access data

1B-45
 Software Runs the Machine
• Tells the computer what to do
• Reason people purchase computers
• Two types
– System software
– Application software

1B-46
 Software Runs the Machine
• System software
– Most important software
– Operating system
• Windows XP
– Network operating system (OS)
• Windows Server 2003
– Utility
• Symantec AntiVirus

1B-47
 Software Runs the Machine
• Application software
– Accomplishes a specific task
– Most common type of software
• MS Word
– Covers most common uses of computers

1B-48
 Computer Data
• Fact with no meaning on its own
• Stored using the binary number system
• Data can be organized into files

1B-49
 Computer Users
• Role depends on ability
– Setup the system
– Install software
– Manage files
– Maintain the system
• “Userless” computers
– Run with no user input
– Automated systems

1B-50
 Chapter 1

End of Chapter

McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.