Types of computers

What is a computer?

A programmable electronic device that is used to input, process, output and store data/ information

How are computers classified?

based on:

system performance

physical size

cost

What are Desktop Systems?

Computers designed to stay in a single location and must be connected to a wall outlet.

What are two examples of Desktop Systems?

PC and gaming consoles

What are Mobile devices?

The general term for a small sized, light weight electronic equipment that c

What are some characteristics of Mobile devices?

wireless

have a physical or onscreen keyboard for entering information

most times are touchscreen

What are embedded computers?

A specialized computer system designed to perform a specific task within a larger device or mechanical 

How do embedded computers work?

they are connected to sensors, which are hardware output devices that detect changes in the environment such as:

temperature

light

pressure

actuators

What are actuators?

Hardware output devices that convert electrical control signals into physical actions

Where are embedded systems housed?

It is housed on a single printed circuit board that provides all the circuitry necessary for a microprocessor, RAM, ROM and any necessary components.

What are some examples of embedded systems?

answering machines, microwave, clock and cameras

Describe the processing speed, memory and storage capacities of embedded systems

much slower than a typical PC as there is a limited range of commands they are required to perform

What are minicomputers?

systems used mainly in small manufacturing plants, research labs and businesses that were designed to support up to about 200 users.

What did minicomputers allow users to do

To share access to central hardware through work stations called terminals

What is a terminal?

A compact computer that acts as a point of connection for a larger system

Describe a typical terminal

Has a keyboard, display screen and a cable that connects the terminal to the computer system

Give two types of terminals

thin client

P-O-S (point of sale)

What was the range of memory capacity for lower capacity models?

64- 192 MB 

What was the range of memory capacity for higher capacity models?

1024- 32,768 MB

Explain the function of Direct access storage disks

these are attached directly to the server or computer and allow a typical minicomputer to manage anywhere from 4 GB to over 18,000 GB of data

What are mainframes?

Very powerful, expensive computers that offer more processor capacity and greater storage capacity than a typical computer

Where are mainframes found?

large organizations like banks, government agencies and more where they perform tasks that require a lot of computational thinking

What is the most powerful mainframe computers available?

IBM z14 Model M05 

What are supercomputers?

The world’s fastest and most powerful computerds in 2019

What was supercomputers designed for?

they were designed to process complex scientific applications and are typically used for number crunching

What is number crunching

The ability to perform large amounts of numerical computations quickly

How does number crunching help us in life?

It allows scientist to be able to solve challenges in energy, AI, human health and more

Characteristics of a computer

speed

accuracy

automation

versatility

no intelligence

multitasking

diligence

reliability

storage