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INTRODUCTION
TO
COMPUTERS
Lesson 3. OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS
IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
A. Three Directions of Computer Development
After the first General PurposeElectronic Digital Computer was invented, thecomputers have developed in three directions:
1. Smaller sizes – “Small bu t terr ible.” This
is the trend in today’s technology. ENIAC’s old-fashioned radio-style vacuum tubes,
gave way to smaller, faster, more reliable
transistor. The transistor is used as means
to transfer electrical signals alongpredetermined circuits. The next step was
the development of tiny integrated circuits
used as a pathway etched on tiny squaresof silicon half the size of the thumbnail.
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
2. More Power - Turning computers in small physical
components allowed computer manufacturers to cram
more power into their machines, providing fasterprocessing speed and large data storage capacity.
3. Less Expense - The smaller processor in personal
desktop computers can perform the same speed ofcalculations once performed by a computer that filled
the entire room. However, processor costs are cheaper
than of the price 15 years ago.
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
B. FIVE KINDS OF COMPUTERS
1. Microcontrollers – also called embedded
computers , are the small-specialized
microprocessors installed in appliances and
automobiles. These microcontrollers enable
microwave ovens, for example, to store datahow long bake pasta and at what temperature.
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
B. FIVE KINDS OF COMPUTERS
2. Microcomputers – personal computersthat can fit on or beside a table or are
portable. Some examples are desktop,
laptop computers, notebook computers,
sub-notebook computers, pocket PC’s,
PDA’s, smartphones and tablets.
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
B. FIVE KINDS OF COMPUTERS
3. Minicomputers/Midrange computers –
are machines midway in cost andcapability between microcomputers and
mainframes. They can be used as single-
user workstations. When used by systemtied with network to several hundred
terminals for many users, they are known
as midrange computers.
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
B. FIVE KINDS OF COMPUTERS
4. Mainframe – usually large computers andthe oldest category of computer system. This is
a high level computer designed for the most
intensive computational tasks. Mainframe
computers are used in large companies tohandle million of transactions.
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Lesson 3. Overview of Developments in
Computer Technology
B. FIVE KINDS OF COMPUTERS
5. Supercomputers – are high-capacitymachines that require special air-conditioned
rooms and are the fastest calculating devices
ever invented and are used for large scale
projects.
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End
of
Lesson 3
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