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Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill Technology Education

McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill Technology Education

Chapter 1A

Introducing ComputerSystems

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1A-3

The Computer Defined

Electronic device Converts data into information

Modern computers are digital

Two digits combine to make data

Older computers were analog

A range of values made data

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1A-4

Computers For Individual Use

Desktop computers The most common type of computer

Sits on the desk or floor

Performs a variety of tasks

Workstations

Specialized computers

Optimized for science or graphics

More powerful than a desktop

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1A-5

Computers For Individual Use

Notebook computers Small portable computers

Weighs between 3 and 8pounds

About 8 by 11 inches Typically as powerful as a

desktop

Can include a docking station

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Docking_station_2.jpg

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Computers For Individual Use

Tablet computers Newest development

in portable

computers

Input is througha pen

Run specialized

versions of office

products

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1A-7

Handheld computers Very small computers

Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)

Note taking or contact management

Data can synchronize with a desktop

Smart phones

Hybrid of cell phone and PDA

Web surfing, e-mail access

Computers For Individual Use

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1A-8

Computers For Organizations

Network servers Centralized computer

All other computers connect

Provides access to network resources

Multiple servers are called server farms

Often simply a powerful desktop

Network clients

Connected to Centralized computer

Gain access to network resources throughservers

Often simple desktop

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1A-9

Computers For Organizations

Mainframes Used in large

organizations

Handle thousands

of users Users access

through a terminal

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Computers For Organizations

Microcomputers Personal Computer/ Desktop

Single processor

Meant for single user

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Computers For Organizations

Minicomputers Called midrange computers

Power between mainframe and desktop

Usually has multiple processors

Handle hundreds of users

Used in smaller organizations

Users may access through a terminal

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1A-12

Computers For Organizations

Supercomputers The most powerful

computers made

Handle large and

complex calculations Process trillions of

operations per

second

Found in researchorganizations

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1A-13

Mainframes vs. Supercomputers

Supercomputers are optimized for complicatedcomputations that take place largely in memory, whilemainframes are optimized for comparatively simplecomputations involving huge amounts of externaldata.

For example, weather forecasting is suited tosupercomputers, and insurance business or payrollprocessing applications are more suited tomainframes.

Supercomputers are often purpose-built for one or avery few specific institutional tasks (e.g. simulation

and modeling). Mainframes typically handle a widervariety of tasks (e.g. data processing, warehousing).

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Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill Technology Education

Chapter 1A

End of Chapter