IT Fundamentals

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Computer Systems
What Is A Computer?
- one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device
that can store, retrieve, and process data.
- http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/computer

What Is A System?
- a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified
whole.
- http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/system

Two Components:
> Hardware
> Software

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Computer Hardware
Types of Computer Systems
1. Microcomputer Systems
- everything from a smart-phone to a PC. These include media-players,
tablets, netbooks, notebooks, desktop PCs (gaming rigs, workstations
alike), small network servers, and the like.

2. Midrange Systems (Minicomputers)

- anything larger than a microcomputer, but smaller than a mainframe.
These are usually front-end servers used to help mainframe computers, or
in some CAD and CAM (graphic-intensive) systems.
3. Mainframe Systems
- the largest and most powerful of computer types. Fast, powerful, BIG,
expensive. These are able to do hundreds of thousands of MIPS. Usually
used as super-servers, scientific-research, by the military, for solving
complex mathematical equations, and other very-resource intensive uses.

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Types of Computer Systems
1. Microcomputer Systems
> Personal Computers are the most common example of microcomputers.
They are used for personal, professional, and business use.

Source: seudolab.com Source: shopping.hp.com

> Network Servers (a more
powerful form of microcomputer)
are used to serve small LANs,
Internet applications, and intranet
websites.

Source: sigmasoft.com.ph
 Types of Computer Systems
1. Microcomputer Systems (cont'd...)

> Mobile Devices are hand-held microcomputers also exist in the form of
tablet PCs, PDAs, and smartphones.

Source: techcrunch.com
Source: turbosquid.com

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Source: mashable.com
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Types of Computer Systems (...cont'd)
2. Midrange Systems

Source: maplesesm.blogspot.com
Source: empirestate2010.blogspot.com

Midrange computers are usually physically the size of cabinets, or

refrigerators. They are more expensive than microcomputers and can
offer more performance.

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Types of Computer Systems (...cont'd)
3. Mainframe Systems
Mainframe computers are the largest of the three computer classes, usually
taking up portions of, if not whole, rooms. They are also the most powerful
and costly.

Source: techweekeurope.co.uk
Source: en.wikipedia.com

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Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware
- the collection of physical elements that comprise a computer system.
Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer
such as monitor, keyboard, hard drive disk, mouse, printers, graphic cards,
sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips, etc all of which are physical
objects that you can actually touch
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware

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Basic Data Flow Between Hardware Devices

Input Process Output

Storage

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Computer System Devices
1. Input
Pointing devices – one of the most common input devices, only being
outstaged by the keyboard – the (most standard input device. Pointing
devices are invaluable to individual workstations as well as some
terminals. These include trackball, trackpoint (pointing stick), touchpads,
touch screens, pen-based tools, and the ever-popular mouse.

Speech Recognition devices – speech/voice-

recognition systems make multi-tasking easier for
business people that are always on the go. Also,
the technology is of great value to those people
with disablitlities.

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Computer System Devices
1. Input
Optical Scanners – mainly useful to operations people (frontline jobs).
Optical scanners include OCR (optical character recognition), great for
scanning documents and instantly converting them into digital format.
Barcode scanners are invaluable to POS transactions, and can also be
used for warehousing, shipping-record-keeping, and many others.

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Computer System Devices
1. Input
Magnetic Recognition – are scanners with sensors work similarly to a hard
drive. Magnetic stripe cards and readers are one of the most common
examples. Credit, ATM, bus pass cards, and the like, contain magnetic
stripes that are coded with data and read by magnetic stripe readers.
MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) scanners also let documents with
magnetic ink be scanned and digitized just like OCRs. A possible use of this
technology is when the company's HR needs to record and analyze
employee test results.
Smart cards – (a.k.a. chip cards or ICCs) are plastic cards that have
embedded ICs (integrated circuits) in them to store small amounts of
information. These are widely used in SIM (subscriber identification module)
cards by telecom companies, in hotels and large companies concerned with
security as SSO (Single Sign On)s.
Cameras – now have a wide array of roles for organizations. CCTV (closed-
circuit-TV)s are mainly used for security purposes. Web cameras are used
for video conferensing and for remote presentations by agents and/or clients
that cannot make it physically on the venue. DVR (digital video recorders)
can also be used for documentation purposes during company projects and
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Computer System Devices
2. Output
Video Output – LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and LED (LCDs with LED
backlights) monitors have replaced most of all the old bulky CRT (cathode
ray tube). LCDs and LEDs give better quality images, produces less strain
on the eyes, as well as save much energy. These are the primary output
devices on most, if not all, workstations, and even in KDS, POS, information
appliances, and most other computers.
Printouts – printers are invaluable tools to any business or organization. No
matter how techy an organization may go, with all sorts of information
appliances carried by its employees, there will always be a need for printed
output at some time. Printers with a variety of technologies, designed for a
variety of purposes. These include:
> Inkjets – fast, quiet, high-quality and low-cost.
> Laserjets – fast, quiet, high-quality, smuge-proof – even when paper
becomes wet, but pricier than inkjets.
> Dot-matrix – old, slow, low-quality, but also very cost-efficient in
terms of refilling (uses ribbon instead of ink cartridges).

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Computer System Devices
2. Output
Sound Output – corporate environments are not so big Hi-end Hi-fidelity
speakers, with the 5.1 Dolby digital surround sounds. Usually, a standard
quality headset will suffice for workstations. Communication centers, such
as call centers may have slightly fancier variation, but generally of the same
specification for generally the same uses. For the business executive,
managers, and other busy industry people, bluetooth headsets are a good
tool to have, enabling wireless, and hands-free communication (useful when
you're on your way to work and you don't want a ticket but have to talk).

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Computer System Devices
3. Storage
R.A.M. – serves as computer's “main memory”. Comes in different
speeds and sizes (physical and logical).
Hard Disk Drives – most common secondary storage device for storing
long-term memory of a computer. It is an electro-mechanical device
sensitive to magnetic interferance. It comes in different sizes.
Solid State Drive – the possible succesor of HDDs. It is purely electronic,
and much faster and durable compared to HDDs. It also more
expensive than HDDs as of the moment.

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Computer System Devices
4. Process
Microprocessors – microprocessors are the most commonly used form
of the CPU. They can be seen in all PCs, midrange computers, and
even mainframe computers. Over the last decade, they have increase
greatly in power in terms of speed (Hz) and number of cores.
P.I.C.s – programmable integrated circuits are used in embedded
systems, robotics and other electronic, and electromechanical devices.
These serve as smaller, simpler microprocessors.
Other Embedded Chips – processors can also be found in other parts of
a PC, such as sound cards, video cards, and network interface cards.
These help give support to the CPU by handling specific tasks only.

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 Sources:

Text Sources:
 Introduction to Information Systems 13th Edition by James A. O'brien
and George M. Marakas

Online Sources:
 www.wikipedia.org
 www.techterms.com
 www.webopedia.com

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