What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to
store, retrieve, and process data. In general you can use a computer to type documents, send
email, play games, and browse the Web,create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.
Computers are machines that perform tasks or calculations according to a set of instructions,
or programs. The first fully electronic computers, introduced in the 1940s, were huge machines
that required teams of people to operate. Compared to those early machines, today's computers
are amazing. Not only are they thousands of times faster, they can fit on your desk, on your lap,
or even in your pocket.

Types of computer
Since the advent of the first computer different types and sizes of computers are offering
different services. Computers can be as big as occupying a large building and as small as a
laptop or a microcontroller inmobile & embedded systems.The four basic types of computers
are.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Super computer
Mainframe Computer
Minicomputer
Microcomputer

1.Super Computer
The most powerful computers in terms of
performance and data processing are the
supercomputers. These are specialized
and task specific computers used by large
organizations. These computers are used
for research and exploration purposes,
like NASA uses supercomputers for
launching space shuttles, controlling them
and for space exploration purpose.
Uses of Supercomputer
In Pakistan and other countries
Supercomputers are used by Educational

Institutes like NUST (Pakistan) for research purposes. Pakistan Atomic Energy commission &
Heavy Industry Taxila uses supercomputers for Research purposes.
Space Exploration
Supercomputers are used to study the origin of the universe, the dark-matters. For these studies
scientist use IBMs powerful supercomputer Roadrunner at National Laboratory Los Alamos.

Earthquake studies

Supercomputers are used to study the Earthquakes phenomenon. Besides that supercomputers are
used for natural resources exploration, like natural gas, petroleum, coal, etc.

Weather Forecasting

Supercomputers are used for weather forecasting, and to study the nature and extent of Hurricanes,
Rainfalls, windstorms, etc.

Nuclear weapons testing

Supercomputers are used to run weapon simulation that can test the Range, accuracy & impact of
Nuclear weapons.

2.Mainframe computer
Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite
expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations uses Mainframes to
run their business operations. The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large airconditioned rooms because of its size. Super-computers are the fastest computers with large
data storage capacity, Mainframes can also process & store large amount of data. Banks
educational institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about
their customers, students & insurance policy holders.
Popular Mainframe computers

Fujitsus ICL VME

Hitachis Z800

3.Minicomputer

Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also called
as Midrange Computers. These are small machines and can be accommodated on a disk with
not as processing and data storage capabilities as super-computers & Mainframes. These
computers are not designed for a single user. Individual departments of a large company or
organizations use Mini-computers for specific purposes. For example, a production department
can use Mini-computers for monitoring certain production process.
Popular Minicomputers

K-202
Texas Instrument TI-990
SDS-92

4.Microcomputer

Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are
all types of microcomputers. The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing
computers. These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers. The
Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education and
work purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony &
Toshiba.
Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation system of a car, Netbooks,
Notebooks, PDAs, Tablet PCs, Smartphones, Calculators are all type of Microcomputers.
A different glance of the same.
Types of computers

Computers range in size and capability. At one end of the scale are supercomputers, very large
computers with thousands of linked microprocessors that perform extremely complex
calculations. At the other end are tiny computers embedded in cars, TVs, stereo systems,
calculators, and appliances. These computers are built to perform a limited number of tasks.
The personal computer, or PC, is designed to be used by one person at a time. This section
describes the various kinds of personal computers: desktops, laptops, handheld computers, and
Tablet PCs.
Desktop computers
Desktop computers are designed for use at a desk or table. They are typically larger and more
powerful than other types of personal computers. Desktop computers are made up of separate
components. The main component, called the system unit, is usually a rectangular case that sits
on or underneath a desk. Other components, such as the monitor, mouse, and keyboard,
connect to the system unit.

Desktop computer

Laptops and netbooks

Laptops are lightweight mobile PCs with a thin screen. Laptops can operate on batteries, so you
can take them anywhere. Unlike desktops, laptops combine the CPU, screen, and keyboard in a
single case. The screen folds down onto the keyboard when not in use.
Netbooks (also referred to as mini notebooks), are small, affordable laptops that are designed to
perform a limited number of tasks. They're usually less powerful than laptops, so they're used
mainly to browse the web and check e-mail.

A laptop and a netbook

Smartphones
Smartphones are mobile phones that have some of the same capabilities as a computer. You
can use a smartphone to make telephone calls, access the Internet, organize contact
information, send e-mail and text messages, play games, and take pictures. Smartphones
usually have a keyboard and a large screen.

Smartphone

Handheld computers
Handheld computers, also called personal digital assistants (PDAs), are battery-powered
computers small enough to carry almost anywhere. Although not as powerful as desktops or
laptops, handheld computers are useful for scheduling appointments, storing addresses and
phone numbers, and playing games. Some have more advanced capabilities, such as making
telephone calls or accessing the Internet. Instead of keyboards, handheld computers have touch
screens that you use with your finger or astylus (a pen-shaped pointing tool).

Handheld computer

Tablet PCs
Tablet PCs are mobile PCs that combine features of laptops and handheld computers. Like
laptops, they're powerful and have a built-in screen. Like handheld computers, they allow you to

write notes or draw pictures on the screen, usually with a tablet pen instead of a stylus. They
can also convert your handwriting into typed text. Some Tablet PCs are convertibles with a
screen that swivels and unfolds to reveal a keyboard underneath.

Tablet PC

Input and Output devices

An input device sends information to a computer system forprocessing, and an output
device reproduces or displays the results of that processing. Depending on the interaction, a
device can be both; referred to as an input/output or I/O device.
Input/output device, also known as computer peripheral, any of various devices (including
sensors) used to enter information and instructions into a computer forstorage or processing
and to deliver the processed data to a human operator or, in some cases, a machine controlled
by the computer. Such devices make up the peripheral equipment of modern digital
computer systems.
Complete list of Input Devices
Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common input device of a Computer System. The keyboard resembles a
typewriter. Modern Keyboards have more than just the letter and numeric keys. They have
multimedia keys for volume control, Play / Pause videos etc. Every single key on a keyboard is
assigned a binary numbers to it which transmits that binary pattern to the computer.
Now, have you ever wondered why the keys on a keyboard are not in alphabetic order? The
keys are laid out in the QWERTY order so that those key that are often struck in succession
were not next to each other. Therefore, the QWERTY layout is intended for slow typists. While
for speed typing there is another keyboard available with "Dvorak" layout.
Same is the case with the numeric keys layout. If you have noticed, the layout of a Phone is
different from that of a numeric keys on a Keyboard. It's because earlier phones cannot handle
fast dialers. However, the layout of numeric keys on a keyboard are designed for speed typing.
Mouse
Mouse is another commonly used input device of a computer system. The mouse is a pointing
device that moves the cursor on the screen. You can place the cursor on icons and by clicking
you can launch a program. A typical Mouse has two buttons, the left and right clicking buttons
and a wheel in the center for scrollingA user can perform many operations through a Mouse, like
selecting or arranging different program icons on the desktop. Copy / Paste text in a word
document, scroll webpages, and of course a mouse can come in handy while playing computer
games.
There are two types of Mouse, one type has a rubber-covered ball at the bottom. As the mouse
is slid on a surface, the ball rolls, resulting in movement of the cursor on the screen. This is the

traditional type of mouse which is getting obsolete these days and this type of Mouse does not
performs well on some surfaces. The other type is an Optical Mouse, which is popular these
days. The optical Mouse tracks the Mouse position using the optical sensor. The optical mouse
can perform well as compared to the traditional mouse.
Scanner
Scanner is the third important input device of a computer system. A scanner converts printed
documents in to images. Some types of scanners scan documents and produce the results in
black & white images. The scanner operates in the same manner as a Photocopier. A colored
scanner works somewhat in a complicated manner as compared to a simple scanner.
Digital Camera
Digital Cameras are used to capture images. Those images are then transferred to a computer
when the Camera is connected to the computer. Mostly the Digital Camera images are in JPEG
format.
Gamepad
A computer can serve many purposes. Besides work, a user can also play games on a
Computer. You can use a keyboard and mouse for gaming but a specialized Hardware device, ie a Gamepad can also be used. A gamepad is used for controlling games, with few buttons that
controls the movements of character in a Computer Game.

Output Devices
Monitor
Monitor is the most important output device of a computer system. The monitor is the display
screen of a computer. Cathode Rays Tube (CRT) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are the two
types of Monitors.

Printers
A Printer takes print commands from a computer and print out text / images on a paper.
Different types of printers are available for various purposes. A printer for office use must be
heavy duty and fast while for photographs it must produce high quality prints. Dot-Matrix, InkJet, Laser-Jet are the different types of printers.

Speakers

Speaker is an important part of a computer system. Some systems have a built-in speaker,
though they are small in size. Speaker is an essential part of a computer
because they can notify about various system notifications through
various sounds.
Memory

Computer memory
The computer memory is a temporary storage area. It holds the data and instructions that the
Central Processing Unit (CPU) needs. Before a program can be run, the program is loaded from
some storage medium into the memory. This allows the CPU direct access to the program.