WORKSTATION

Workstations are powerful, single-user

computers.
They have the capacity to store
and process large quantities of data,
but they are only used by one person at
a time.
Workstations are typically linked
together to form a computer network
called a local area network, which
means that several people, such as
staff in an office, can communicate
with each other and share electronic
files and data.
MAINFRAME COMPUTER
Have considerably less power and
capacity than supercomputers, but
significantly more than personal
computers.
They are capable of processing billions
of instructions per second and handle
vast quantities of data simultaneously.
This are used primarily by large
organizations for critical applications,
bulk data processing, such as census,
industry and consumer statistics,
enterprise resource planning, and
transaction processing.
PERSONAL COMPUTER
Also called microcomputers, are the
most popular type of computer in
use today.
The PC is a small-sized, relatively
inexpensive computer designed for
an individual user.
This computer is also called
desktop computers, which stay on
the desk, or laptop computers,
which are lightweight and portable.
MINI COMPUTER
Computer that is smaller, less
expensive, and less powerful than
a mainframe or supercomputer, but
more expensive and more powerful
than a personal computer.
Minicomputers are used for
scientific and engineering
computations, business-transaction
processing, file handling, and
database management, and are
often now referred to as small or
midsize servers.
SERVER
The function of a computer server is
to store, retrieve and send
computer files and data to other
computers on a network. Many
businesses use a local network to
connect a number of computers.
On a larger scale, the worldwide
computer network known as the
Internet depends on a large
number of servers located around
the world. The files, data and
functionality of a given website is
based on servers.
SUPERCOMPUTER
Have huge data storage
capacities and unrivaled
processing power.
They are used by large
organizations that requires
immense computing power.
These computers are
exceptionally expensive and
very delicate.
SPECIAL PURPOSE COMPUTER
Special-purpose computers refer to
computers that are built to perform
specific tasks, such as automatic
teller machines or washing
machines.
Special-purpose computers also
include systems to control military
planes, boats, surveillance
equipment and other defense-
oriented applications.
They utilize unique operating
systems that are tailored to
performing their specific
 COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
Hardware
The physical equipment required to
create, use, manipulate and store
electronic data.
This includes the computer case,
monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
It also includes all the parts inside
the computer case, such as the
hard disk drive, motherboard, video
card, and many others.
Computer hardware is basically
what you can physically touch.
Software
The computerized instructions that
operate a computer, manipulate
the data and execute particular
functions or tasks.
Unlike hardware, which represents a
physical part of a device, software
is virtual (not physically existing).
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
Input devices
The devices that allow data and instructions to enter a computer
(such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner).
Output devices
The devices that allow information to be represented (that is,
given out) to the user, such as a display screen or printer.
Internal Components
The physical components that is found inside the computer itself.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
The CPU is also called the
microprocessor.
It is considered the brain of the
computer.
The CPU interprets and carry out the
instruction or commands in each
program or software.
It does arithmetic and logical data
manipulations and communicates
with all the other parts of the
computer.
Random Access Memory

An area in the computer system unit

that temporarily holds a users data,
operating system instructions and
program instructions.

Read Only Memory

ROM is "built-in" computer
memory containing data that
normally can only be read, not
written to. ROM contains the
programming that allows your
computer to be "booted up" or
regenerated each time you turn
it on
 Motherboard
It is one of the most essential parts of a
computer system. It holds together
many of the crucial components of a
computer, including the central
processing unit (CPU), memory and
connectors for input and output
devices.

Hard Disk
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile
computer storage device containing
magnetic disks or platters rotating at
high speeds. It is a secondary storage
device used to store data permanently,
random access memory (RAM) being
the primary memory device. Non-
volatile means data is retained when
the computer is turned off.
 INPUT DEVICES
Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common and very popular input
device which helps in inputting data to the computer.
The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional
typewriter, although there are some additional keys
provided for performing additional functions.
Mouse
Mouse is most popular pointing device. It is a very
famous cursor-control device having a small palm size
box with a round ball at its base which senses the
movement of mouse and sends corresponding signals
to CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed.
Microphone
Microphone is an input device to record sound that is
then stored in digital form. The microphone is used for
various applications like adding sound to a
multimedia presentation or for mixing music.
 Light Pen
Light pen is a pointing device which is
similar to a pen. It is used to select a
displayed menu
item or draw pictures on the monitor
screen.
Track Ball
Track ball is an input device that is mostly
used in notebook or laptop computer,
instead of a mouse. This is a ball which is
half inserted and by moving fingers on
ball, pointer can be moved.
Scanner
Scanner is an input device which works
more like a photocopy machine. It is used
when some information is available on a
paper and it is to be transferred to the
hard disc of the computer for further
manipulation.
OUTPUT DEVICE
Monitor
Commonly called as Visual Display Unit
(VDU), are the main output device of a
computer. It displays the video and
graphics information generated by the
computer through the video card.
Speaker
A device that converts analog audio
signals into the equivalent air vibrations in
order to make audible sound.
Printer
A printer is a device that accepts text
and graphic output from a computer
and transfers the information to paper,
usually to standard size sheets of paper.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
It is a computer software
designed to operate and control
the computer hardware and to
provide a platform for running
application software.
System software can be
separated into two different
categories the operating system
and the utility software.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Application software is a set of

computer programs designed to
permit users to perform a group of
coordinated functions, task, and
activities.
Application software cannot run on
itself but is dependent on system
software to execute.