Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ICT
ICT
ICT
Computer Hardware
MODULE 1
Evolution and Types of the Computers
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1.
Name of Module :
2.
3.
4.
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Introduction to Computer
Years
1939 to 1954
Circuitry
Vacuum
tubes
Devices
Calculators
Second
1954 to 1959
Transistor
Mainframes
Third
1959 to 1971
Fourth
1971 to 1991
Integrated
circuits (IC)
Very-largescale
integration
(VLSI) and
the
Microprcessor
Timesharing,
minicomputer
Microcomputer,
Embedded computer,
Personal computer,
Fifth
1991 to
present and
Beyond
Small
Computer
System
Interface
(SCSI), Video
Electronic
Standard
Association
(VESA)
Super Computers
Mainframe
Computers
Mini Computers
Personal Computers
Mobile Computers
Personal computer,
PowerPC,
PowerMacs,
PlayStation.
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Processors
ENIAC, EDSAC,
EDVAC,
UNIVAC, IBM
IBM,
System/360,
BUNCH
PDP, System/32,
System/36
VAX, AS/400,
Intel. Motorola,
MOS, Zilog,
WDC, Pentium,
ARM
architecture,
MIPS, SPARC
Commodore,
UNIX System,
Intel Pentium,
Pentium MMX,
Pentium II, AMD,
Athlon, Pentium
III, Pentium IV
Supercomputer
Supercomputer is a computer that led the world (or was
close to doing so) in terms of processing capacity,
particularly the speed of calculation, at the time of its
introduction. The term "Super Computing" was first used
by the New York World newspaper in 1929[1] to refer to
large custom-built tabulators IBM made for Columbia
University. It was used to solve problems involving by
major universities, military agencies and scientific
research laboratories.
Additional Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer
Mainframes
Mainframes are designed to handle very high volume input and output (I/O) and
emphasize throughout computing. It is used mainly, by large organizations for critical
applications, typically bulk data processing, industry and consumer statistics, ERP, and
financial transaction processing. The term probably originated from the early
mainframes, as they were housed in enormous, roomsized metal boxes or frames. [1] Later the term was used
to distinguish high-end commercial machines from less
powerful units which were often contained in smaller
packages. Today in practice, the term usually refers to
computers compatible with the IBM System/360 line, first
introduced in 1965. (IBM System z9 is IBM's latest
incarnation.) Otherwise, systems with similar functionality
but not based on the IBM System/360 are referred to as
"servers." However, "server" and "mainframe" are
A Honeywell-Bull DPS 7 mainframe,
different (see client-server).
circa 1990.
Additional source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainframe_computer
Mini Computer
Minicomputer is a midsized computer. It is an old term for
a class of multi-user computers, lies between the largest
multi-user systems (mainframe computers) and the
smallest single-user systems (microcomputers or personal
computers). In the past, it formed a different group with its
own hardware and operating systems.
Additional source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer
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Microcomputer
Small desktop or portable computer, typically designed to be used by one person at a
time, although individual computers can be linked in a network so that users can share
data and programmes. Its central processing unit is a microprocessor, contained on a
single integrated circuit.
Microcomputers are the smallest of the four
classes of computer (the others are
supercomputer, mainframe, and minicomputer).
Since the appearance in 1975 of the first
commercially available microcomputer, the Altair
8800, micros have become ubiquitous in
commerce, industry, and education.
From the Hutchinson Encyclopaedia.
Helicon Publishing LTD 2007.
All rights reserved.
Additional source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcomputer
: http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/computers/data/m0008890.html
Work Station
A type of computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM), 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 least 64
MB (megabytes) of RAM, built-in network support and a graphical user interface. Most
workstations also have a mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of
workstation, called a diskless workstation, comes without a disk drive. The most
common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT.
In terms of computing power, workstations lie between personal
computers and minicomputers, although the line
is fuzzy on both ends. High-end personal
computers
are
equivalent
to
low-end
workstations. And high-end workstations are
equivalent to minicomputers.
Like personal computers, most workstations are
single-user computers. However, workstations are
typically linked together to form a Local Area Network, although they can also be used
as stand-alone systems.
In networking, workstation refers to any computer connected to a Local Area Network. It
could be a workstation or a personal computer.
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Worksheet 1
Compare the features of the generations of computers.
Generations
Years
Circuitry
Devices
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
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Processors
Worksheet 2
Differentiate between a single user system and a multi user system.
Single user system
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
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Worksheet 3
Matching the description with the correct types of computers.
It was used to solve problems in major
universities, military agencies and scientific
research laboratories.
Supercomputer
Micro Computer
Mini Computer
Work Station
Mainframe
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