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Chapter 1: Computer TechnologyPart 1

Comprehend to Desktop Computer

Prepared by: Nor Zuraida Bt Mohd Gaminan

Department of IT & Communication

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Polytechnic

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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

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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 information

Data that is organized,meaningful, and useful

Acceptsdata

Raw facts, figures, and

symbols

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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 thedevelopment of a product.

With each new generation, the circuitry has gotten

smaller and more advanced than the previous

generation before it.

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Evolution of Computers: First Generation

1940 1956 (Vacuum Tubes)

Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums formemory.

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 ofmalfunctions.

Relied on machine language to perform operations, and theycould only solve one problem at a time.

UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generationcomputing devices.

The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to abusiness client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

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Evolution of Computers: First Generation

1940 1956 (Vacuum Tubes)

Example of Vacuum Tubes

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Evolution of Computers: Second Generation

1956 1963 ( Transistors)

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes.

Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material thatamplifies a signal or opens or closes a circuit.

Allowed computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, moreenergy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generationpredecessors.

Relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.

Used assembly languages, which allowed programmers tospecify instructions in words.

High-level programming languages were also being developed atthis time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN

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Evolution of Computers: Second Generation

1956 1963 (Transistors)

Example of Transistors

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Evolution of Computers: Third Generation

1964 1971 ( Intergrated Circuit)

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of thethird generation of computers.

Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called

semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed andefficiency of computers.

Users interacted with third generation computers throughkeyboards 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 memoryComputers for the first time became accessible to a massaudience because they were smaller and cheaper than theirpredecessors.

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Evolution of Computers: Third Generation

1964 1971 (Intergrated Circuit)

Example of an Integrated Circuit

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Evolution of Computers: Fourth Generation

1971 - 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.

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Evolution of Computers: Fourth Generation

1971 - present (Microprocessor)

Example of microprocessor

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Evolution of Computers: Fifth Generation

Present - beyond ( Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial Intelligence is the branch of computer science concernedwith 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 aschess and checkers

- In May, 1997, an IBM super-computer called Deep Bluedefeated 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 helpdoctors diagnose diseases based on symptoms)

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Evolution of Computers: Fifth Generation

Present - 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.

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Evolution of Computers: Fifth Generation

Present beyond (Artificial Intelligence)

Example of a robot build using AI technology

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Definition: Firmware

Term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small,programs and data structures that internally control variouselectronic devices.

Simple firmware typically resides in ROM or PROM, while morecomplex firmware often employs flash memory to allow forupdates.

Common reasons for updating firmware include fixing bugs oradding 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

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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 the

operating system (OS) and database management system (DBMS).

- Examples of OS: Windows, Macintosh, Linux

2) 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

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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 beinstalled inside and connected to the outside of a computer.

However, there are several standard pieces of hardware that canbe found as part of nearly every computer:

1) Motherboard

2) Central Processing Unit (CPU)

3) Random Access Memory (RAM)

4) Power Supply

5) Video Card , etc

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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

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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.

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Classes of computer

Example of a common components in a personal

computer system

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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 andWindows NT.

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Classes of computer

Example of a workstation by Dell

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Classes of computer

3) Supercomputer

Supercomputer is a broad term for one of the fastest computerscurrently available.

Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed forspecialized applications that require immense amounts ofmathematical calculations (number crunching).

- For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers are:

1) scientific simulations

2) (animated) graphics

3) nuclear energy research4) electronic design

5) analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).

The best known supercomputer manufacturer is Cray Research.

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Classes of computer

Example of a super computer by NEC

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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 fewprograms as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power

to execute many programs at the same time.

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Classes of computer

5) Notebook computer / LaptopAn extremely lightweight personal computer.

Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and aresmall enough to fit easily in a briefcase.

Notebook computers cost about twice as much as equivalentregular-sized computers.

Notebook computers come with battery packs that enable you torun them without plugging them in. However, the batteries need tobe recharged every few hours.

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Classes of computer

Example of a laptop (HP Limited Edition)

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Server

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

In information technology, a server is a computer system thatprovides services to other computing systemscalled clientsover

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.

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Server

Example of servers in a datacenter

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Workstation

A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technicalor 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 isdominated by large PC vendors, such as Dell and Heward Packard

(HP).

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Desktop

A desktop computer is a personal computer (PC) in a formintended 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.

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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 beenused in case designs.

There are several types of chassis which include:

1) Mini tower

2) Full tower

3) AT case

4) ATX case

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Computer chassis

1) 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 peopleput the mini tower on the desktop, next to the monitor.

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Computer chassis

2) Full tower

A full tower case is the largest standard PC case available on themarket.

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 manydrive bays to support a large number of internal devices.

The best case at keeping components from overheating.

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A typical mini tower case(AOpen's Mt85)

A full tower case. Note the five5.25" drive bays, and

the extended stabilizing feet atthe bottom.

(In Win's Q600)

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Computer chassis

3) AT case

AT case have serial and parallel ports attached to the case in anexpansion 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 cansometimes 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

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Example of an AT case

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Computer chassis

4) ATX case

Many consider the ATX design a vast improvement over thestandard 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 tothe 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

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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.

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Example of ATX

cases

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Display device: Monitor

Display device is an output device that visually conveysinformation.

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 monitor

2) TFT monitor

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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

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Display unit: CRT Monitor

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Display unit: TFT Monitor

A TFT monitor uses thin-film transistortechnology 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.

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Display unit: TFT Monitor

Example of a TFT/ Flat screen monitor by HP

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Activity:

1) Define computer and list three types of computer.

2) List the main technology evolved during each of thefive computer 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 ?