Discovering

Computers
Your Interactive Guide to
the Digital World
A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5 2
Figure 1-1
What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 3
What Is a Computer?

Page 6 4
Figure 1-2
The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

System Unit are used to process data

• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage

Storage Device media

Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Pages 6 - 8 5
The Components of a Computer

Page 7 6
Figure 1-3
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

Pages 9 - 10 7
Categories of Computers
Personal computers

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded computers

Page 19 8
Personal Computers

• A personal computer can perform all of its input,

processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
– Desktop computer

Pages 19 - 20 9
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device small
can carry from place to enough to hold in your
place hand

Examples include smart

Examples include
phones and PDAs, e-
notebook computers,
book readers, handheld
laptop computers,
computers, portable
netbooks, ultra-thins,
media players, and
and Tablet PCs
digital cameras

Pages 20 - 23 10
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book reader

Pages 20 - 22 11
Figures 1-17 – 1-20
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera

Pages 22 - 23 12
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles

• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

Page 24 13
Figure 1-24
Servers

• A server controls access

to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

Page 25 14
Figure 1-25
Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

Page 25 15
Figure 1-26
Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

Page 25 16
Figure 1-27
Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

computer that functions as a component in a
larger product
Consumer Home Automation Process Controllers Computer Devices
Automobiles
Electronics Devices and Robotics and Office Machines
• Mobile and digital • Thermostats • Antilock brakes • Remote monitoring • Keyboards
telephones • Sprinkling systems • Engine control systems • Printers
• Digital televisions • Security modules • Power monitors • Faxes
• Cameras monitoring systems • Airbag controller • Machine • Copiers
• Video recorders • Appliances • Cruise control controllers
• DVD players and • Lights • Medical devices
recorders
• Answering
machines

Page 26 17
Embedded Computers

Page 26 18
Figure 1-28
Elements of an Information System

Hardware Software Data

People Procedures

Page 27 19
Elements of an Information System

Page 27 20
Figure 1-29
Examples of Computer Usage

Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User

• Personal financial Office User • Connect to other computers
management • Look up information on a network or the Internet
• Web access • Send and receive e-mail • Transfer information
• Communications messages • Play video games
• Entertainment • Make telephone calls • Listen to music
• Watch movies

Pages 28 – 31 21
Figures 1-30 – 1-32
Examples of Computer Usage

Power User Enterprise User

• Work with multimedia • Communicate among
• Use industry-specific employees
software • Process high volumes
of transactions
• Blog

Pages 31 – 32 22
Figures 1-33 – 1-34
Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36 23
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38 24
Figures 1-40 – 1-43
Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the Internet,
computers, computer
and computer software
users, and computer
applications in society
Page 39 25
 Discovering
Computers
Your Interactive Guide to
the Digital World