Chapter 1: Computer Technology Part 1

Comprehend to Desktop Computer

Prepared by: Mohd Helmi bin Mat LazimDepartment of IT & CommunicationTuanku Syed Sirajuddin Polytechnic

Topics that will covered on this chapter:

• Evolution of computers• Differences between firmware, software and hardware.•Identifying different classes of computer• Role of server, workstation and server• Computer chassis form: - Mini/ Full tower - AT case - ATX case• Display units - CRT monitor - TFT monitor

Definition: Computer• Computer is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its memory unit.• It can accept data (input), process data arithmetically and logically, produce results (output) from the processing and store the results for future use.

Produces and stores results

Processes data into informationinformation

Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful

Accepts datadata

Raw facts, figures, and symbols

Evolution of Computers

• The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing devices .• A generation refers to the state of improvement in the development of a product. • With each new generation, the circuitry has gotten smaller and more advanced than the previous generation before it.

Evolution of Computers: First Generation1940 – 1956 (Vacuum Tubes)

• Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.•Often enormous, taking up entire rooms.• Very expensive to operate • Used great deal of electricity• Generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions. • Relied on machine language to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem at a time. • UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. • The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

Evolution of Computers: First Generation1940 – 1956 (Vacuum Tubes)

Example of Vacuum Tubes

Evolution of Computers: Second Generation1956 – 1963 ( Transistors)

• Transistors replaced vacuum tubes.•Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a signal or opens or closes a circuit.•Allowed computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors.• Relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output. • Used assembly languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. • High-level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN

Evolution of Computers: Second Generation1956 – 1963 (Transistors)

Example of Transistors

Evolution of Computers: Third Generation1964 – 1971 ( Intergrated Circuit)

• The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. • Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. • Users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory• Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.

Evolution of Computers: Third Generation1964 – 1971 (Intergrated Circuit)

Example of an Integrated Circuit

Evolution of Computers: Fourth Generation1971 - Present ( Microprocessor)

• The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip.• 1971 - The Intel 4004 chip was developed. Contain all the components of the computer - from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls - on a single chip.• 1981 - IBM introduced its first computer for the home user.• 1984 - Apple introduced the Macintosh.

Evolution of Computers: Fourth Generation1971 - present (Microprocessor)

Example of microprocessor

Evolution of Computers: Fifth GenerationPresent - beyond ( Artificial Intelligence)

• Artificial Intelligence is the branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans. - John McCarthyat the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1956• Artificial intelligence includes: 1)Games Playing: programming computers to play games such as chess and checkers - In May, 1997, an IBM super-computer called Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Gary Kasparov in a chess match. 2) Expert Systems: programming computers to make decisions in real-life situations (for example, some expert systems help doctors diagnose diseases based on symptoms)

Evolution of Computers: Fifth GenerationPresent - beyond ( Artificial Intelligence)

3) Natural Language: programming computers to understand natural human languages.4) Neural Networks: Systems that simulate intelligence by attempting to reproduce the types of physical connections that occur in animal brains.-Proving successful in a number of disciplines such as voice recognition and natural-language processing. 5)Robotics: programming computers to see and hear and react to other sensory stimulation. - Robots still have great difficulty identifying objects based on appearance or feel, and they still move and handle objects clumsily.

Evolution of Computers: Fifth GenerationPresent – beyond (Artificial Intelligence)

Example of a robot build using AI technology

Definition: Firmware

• Term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and data structures that internally control various electronic devices.• Simple firmware typically resides in ROM or PROM, while more complex firmware often employs flash memory to allow for updates.• Common reasons for updating firmware include fixing bugs or adding features to the device.•Examples of firmware include:1)Timing and control systems for washing machines2)The BIOS found in IBM-compatible personal computers 3)A typical firmware-controlled device, a television remote control

Definition: Software

• General term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devices.•The two major categories of software are:1)System software-System software is made up of control programs such as theoperating system (OS) and database management system (DBMS). - Examples of OS: Windows, Macintosh, Linux2) Application software -Application software is any program that processes data for theuser (inventory, payroll, spreadsheet, word processor, etc.).- Examples of word processor software: Microsoft Word, Word Star

Definition: Hardware

• Hardware, in the computer world, refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. • There are many, many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside and connected to the outside of a computer.• However, there are several standard pieces of hardware that can be found as part of nearly every computer:1)Motherboard2)Central Processing Unit (CPU)3)Random Access Memory (RAM) 4)Power Supply5)Video Card , etc

Differences between firmware, software and hardware

Firmware Software Hardware

Fixed, usually rather small, programs and data structures that internally control various electronic devices.

Programs used to operate computers and related devices.

Physical components that make up a computer system.

Example:

Television remote control is a firmware-controlled device

Example:

Microsoft Word 2007 is an example of a software

Example:

CPU is an example of a hardware

Classes of computer Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows: 1)Personal Computer•Defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.•Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database management applications. •At home, the most popular use for personal computers is for playing games and for surfing the Internet.

Classes of computer

Example of a common components in a personal computer system

Classes of computer 2) Workstation• It is a type of computer used for engineering applications, desktop publishing, software development, and other types of applications that require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.• Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, at large amount of RAM, built-in network support, and a graphical user interface.• Most common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT.

Classes of computer

Example of a workstation by Dell

Classes of computer 3) Supercomputer • Supercomputer is a broad term for one of the fastest computers currently available. • Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations (number crunching). - For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. • Other uses of supercomputers are:1)scientific simulations2)(animated) graphics3)nuclear energy research4) electronic design5)analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting). •The best known supercomputer manufacturer is Cray Research.

Classes of computer

Example of a super computer by NEC

Classes of computer 4) Mainframe• Mainframe is a very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. • The main difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs at the same time.

Classes of computer

5) Notebook computer / Laptop• An extremely lightweight personal computer.• Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase.• Notebook computers cost about twice as much as equivalent regular-sized computers. • Notebook computers come with battery packs that enable you to run them without plugging them in. However, the batteries need to be recharged every few hours.

Classes of computer

Example of a laptop (HP Limited Edition)

Server

• A computer system in a network that is shared by multiple users.

• In information technology, a server is a computer system that provides services to other computing systems—called clients—over a computer network. • The term server can refer to hardware (such as a Sun computer system) or software (such as an RDBMS server).• In large companies, servers often reside in racks in the datacenter, and all access is via their network connections.

Server

Example of servers in a datacenter

Workstation

• A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications.•Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network (LAN) and run multi-user operating systems (example: Windows NT).•Workstations had offered higher performance than personal computers, especially with respect to CPU and graphics, memory capacity and multitasking capability.• Presently, the workstation market is highly commoditized and is dominated by large PC vendors, such as Dell and Heward Packard (HP).

Desktop

• A desktop computer is a personal computer (PC) in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. • Most modern desktop computers have separate screens and keyboards.

Computer chassis

• A computer case (also known as a computer chassis, cabinet, box, tower, enclosure, housing or simply case) is the enclosure that contains the main components of a computer.• Cases are usually constructed from steel , aluminum, or plastic, although other materials such as wood , and Lego have also been used in case designs.• There are several types of chassis which include:1)Mini tower2)Full tower3)AT case4)ATX case

Computer chassis1)Mini tower•The mini tower is the case of choice for many homebuilders. •It is roughly the same size as a desktop case, but due to its design is generally easier to use and often has more capacity. •It also tends to keep components cooler than a desktop case.•Since it is not nearly as large as a full tower case, many people put the mini tower on the desktop, next to the monitor.

Computer chassis2) Full tower•A full tower case is the largest standard PC case available on the market. •These units are big, heavy and at two to three feet in height, are intended to be installed on the floor.•Towers are the most flexible, expandable cases, with many drive bays to support a large number of internal devices. •The best case at keeping components from overheating.

A typical mini tower case(AOpen's Mt85)

A full tower case. Note the five 5.25" drive bays, and

the extended stabilizing feet at the bottom.

(In Win's Q600)

Computer chassis3) AT case•AT case have serial and parallel ports attached to the case in an expansion slot and connected to the board through cables.•They also have a single keyboard connector soldered onto the board at the back of the board. •The processor is still at the front of the board and can sometimes get in the way of expansion cards. •The AT design is not conducive to efficient cooling of the system. -Air is not blown over the areas that need it, namely the CPU. -Also, the air flow draws in dust. Over time, the AT power supply will get dusty and the inside of the system will be coated with a layer of dust

Example of an AT case

Computer chassis4) ATX case•Many consider the ATX design a vast improvement over the standard AT design.•Some advanced features of the ATX format:1.Integrated I/O Connectors-While the AT uses headers on the board that are attached to the actual ports on the back of the case, the ATX board has the actual ports built right onto the board. This makes installation easier and enhances reliability. -This includes an integrated PS/2 mouse connector

Computer chassis

2) Reduced Processor Interference with Cards - The processor is moved from the front of the board near the slots to the back, top of the board, near the power supply. -This means that a user can install full-length expansion cards in the slot without having to worry about hitting the CPU or heat sink.

3) Better Cooling Conditions- The ATX power supply blows air into the case instead of out. This means that air blows out all the holes in the case and thus keeps dust out.

Example of ATX cases

Display device: Monitor

• Display device is an output device that visually conveys information.•Monitor is an example of a display device. It is a computer display and related parts packaged in a physical unit that is separate from other parts of the computer. • There are two main types of monitor:1)CRT monitor2)TFT monitor

Display unit: CRT Monitor• CRT stands for cathode ray tube, describing the technology inside an analog computer monitor or television set.• A CRT monitor or TV is readily recognizable by its bulky form.• The screen is coated with tiny dots of phosphor material - Each dot consists of a red, blue, and green phosphor• The CRT monitor comes in 15-inch to 21-inch sizes (38 — 53 cm) and larger, though the actual viewing screen is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) smaller than the rated size. • Screens are measured diagonally from corner to corner including the case.

Example of a CRT monitor

Display unit: CRT Monitor

Display unit: TFT Monitor• A TFT monitor uses thin-film transistor technology for the ultimate LCD display. • LCD monitors, also called flat panel displays, are replacing the old style cathode ray tubes (CRTs) as the displays of choice. • Nearly all LCD monitors today use TFT technology.• The benefit of a TFT monitor is a separate, tiny transistor for each pixel on the display.• Because each transistor is so small, the amount of charge needed to control it is also small. • This allows for very fast re-drawing of the display, as the image is re-painted or refreshed several times per second.• A typical 17-inch TFT monitor has about 1.3 million pixels and 1.3 million transistors.

Display unit: TFT Monitor

Example of a TFT/ Flat screen monitor by HP

Activity:1) What is computer? And list three types of computer.2) List the main technology evolved during each of the

generation.3) Name three of Artificial Intelligence (AI) fields that

evolved during the fifth generation.4) What is the differences between Firmware, Software

and Hardware?5) What is the three advantages of using an ATX

case/chassis ?