Section 1

Types and Components of Computer Systems

Section 1 Types and Components of Computer Systems

1.1 Components of a Computer System
- A computer is an electronic device that accepts data, processes it according to a set of given
instructions and presents the results in the form of information.
- A computer also has an internal memory for storing data, programs and information.
- A computer system is a collection of devices that function together to process data.
- A program is set of instructions given to the computer to process data.
- A typical computer system is made up of two components.
i. Hardware
ii. Software
- All the physical components that make up a computer system are termed as hardware. These
are, in fact, the parts of computer system that can be felt physically. For example, mouse, keyboard,
monitor, processor, RAM, printer, scanner etc.
- The programs that control the computer system are termed as software. For example, windows,
spreadsheet, database, photoshop etc.
- Without software, computers would be of little use to any of us.
- There are two main types of computer software
i. Systems software
ii. Applications software
- Systems software are programs that allow the hardware to run properly, For example, all operating
systems such as Windows etc. are system software.
- Applications software are programs that allow the user to do specific tasks, For example, MS
Excel, adobe photoshop etc.

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1.2 MaintComponents
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- Four
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Secondary
storage devices
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Input Devices
- The devices by which data and instructions are fed to the computer are called input devices.
Examples are keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone etc.
Output Devices
- The devices which receive data and instructions from the computer after processing are called
output devices. Examples are monitor, printer, speaker etc.

Section 1

Types and Components of Computer Systems

Processor and Internal Memory Devices

- Processor and internal memory devices consist of four key components, called the central
processing unit (CPU), internal hard disk, random access memory (RAM) and read only memory
(ROM).
i. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of the computer which interprets and
executes the commands from the computer hardware and software.
In the beginning, CPUs used to be made up of discrete components and numerous small
integrated circuits, which were combined together on one or more circuit boards. However,
due to modern manufacturing techniques the term microprocessor is now used instead
of CPU.
Microprocessor is a single integrated circuit which is at the heart of most PCs. It is also
found in many household devices and equipment where some control or monitoring is
needed e.g. the engine management system in a car.

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ii. Internal Hard Drive and its Role
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The internal hard drive is the computer's main memory.
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software, disk operating system and data files are stored.
The main advantage of these
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iii. Random Access Memory (RAM)
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Random access memory
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an internal chip where data is temporarily stored
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when running applications.
memory
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power
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iv.cRead OnlyC
Memory (ROM)
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Read
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(ROM) is an internal memory chip used to store information that
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It usually contains configuration data for a computer system. This
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ROM chip is not lost even when power is turned off to the computer, it is referred to
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as non-volatile or permanent memory.

ROM also contains some coding known as the boot file. This code tells the computer
what to do when it first starts up. It is often referred to as the BIOS (basic input/output
system). When the computer is turned on, the BIOS carries out a hardware check to find
out if all the devices are present and whether they are functional. Then it loads the
operating system into the RAM.
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is a non-volatile chip where the
BIOS stores the date, time and system configuration. It is usually battery powered.
Secondary Storage Devices
- Secondary storage devices also known as back up storage devices allow a user to back up

Section 1

Types and Components of Computer Systems

data from a computer system. Examples are CD, DVD, floppy disk, memory stick etc.

1.3 Operating systems

- An operating system is special software that enables users to communicate with computer
systems.
- The general tasks for a typical operating system include:
i. controlling the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
ii. supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs
iii. dealing with errors that occur in applications programs
iv. maintaining security of the whole computer system
v. maintaining a computer log (which contains details of computer usage)
vi. allowing communication between user and the computer system (user interface).
- The communication between computer users and the operating systems is called user interface.
The user interface helps the user to communicate with the operating system.
- There are two main types of user interfaces:
i. command line interface (CLI)
ii. graphical user interface (GUI)
- Command Line Interface (CLI) requires a user to type in instructions in order to choose options
from menus, open software etc. There are often a number of commands that need to be typed
in, for example, to save or load a file. The user therefore has to learn a number of commands just
to carry out basic operations. It is also slow having to key in these commands every time an
operation has to be carried out. However, the advantage of CLI is that the user is in direct
communication with the computer and is not restricted to a number of pre-determined options.
- Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows the user to interact with a computer or any other digital
device (MP3 player, gaming device, mobile phone etc.) using pictures or symbols (icons) rather
than having to type in a number of commands.
- An icon is a small image or picture on a computer screen that represents something such as a
program or device. When cliked by a mouse, an icon can be activated.
-`GUIs use various technologies and devices to provide the user interface. One of the most common
is windows icons menu and pointing device (WIMP) which was developed for use on personal
computers (PCs). This uses a mouse to control a cursor, which then selects icons to open/run
windows. Each window contains an application and modern computer systems allow several
windows to be open at the same time.

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1.4 Types of Computers
- Various types of computers used these days are:
i.
PC/Desktop Computers
ii. Laptop Computers
iii. Notebooks
iv. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
v. Mainframe Computers

Section 1

Types and Components of Computer Systems

PC/Desktop Computers
- PC /desktop computer refers to a general purpose computer which is made up of separate
monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit.
- Some of the advantages and disadvantages of desktop computers are as follows:
Advantages:
i. Spare parts and connections are standardised, which usually result in low costs.
ii. Desktops have a better specification (e.g. faster processor) for a given price.
iii. The large casing allows good dissipation of any heat build-up.
Disadvantages:
i. Desktops are not particularly portable since they are made up of separate and heavy
components.
ii. All the components need to be hooked up by wiring, which can be quite complex and
clutters up the desk space.
iii. Being not portable, the data has to be copied if one wants to do some work elsewhere.

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Laptop Computers
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- Laptop refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard,
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are all together in one single unit. This makes them extremely portable
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- A laptop has the following key features:
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i. low weight and portability
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Advantages:
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the monitor, pointing device, keyboard, processor and
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Since they are portable, they can link into any multimedia system.
Disadvantages:
Ta i. Since they are portable, they are easy to steal.
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iv.

They have limited battery life.

The keyboards and pointing devices are somewhat difficult to use.
Heat dissipation is more difficult due to the structure of the laptop computers.

Notebooks
- Notebook is a smaller version of a laptop which can almost fit onto a hand. It is also known as
palmtop computers, but this term now generally applies to much smaller devices which use touch
screens often a stylus to key in data.
- Notebook computers have many of the features of laptops and therefore have similar advantages

Section 1

Types and Components of Computer Systems

and disadvantages.
- In addition to the disadvantages for laptops, notebooks have some other disadvantages:
i. Notebooks don't have optical drives.
ii. The keyboards are only about 80 per cent the size of laptop keyboards.
ii. They lack some of the features found in larger machines, principally due to the size
constraints and to the fact that they are cheaper to purchase.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
- Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are small handheld computers that usually come with a touch
screen that is activated using a stylus. Data (e.g. text) is entered by using a keyboard that appears
on the touch screen. PDAs are now exclusively used in new generation mobile phones, data
loggers, satellite navigation systems, etc. Many PDAs now have basic database, word-processing
and spreadsheet facilities.
- Some of the advantages and disadvantages of PDAs are as follows:
Advantages:
i.
They can be used anywhere because of their size.
ii. They are very lightweight and are more portable than laptop computers.
Disadvantages:
i.
It is difficult to enter text quickly.
ii. They have very limited capabilities due to the software and the operating system used.

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Mainframe computers
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- Mainframe computer is a large,
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applications, such as banking
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- The main features s
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vi . They often operate using time sharing or batch processing.
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- Some of the advantages and disadvantages of mainframe computers are as follows:
Advantages:
i.
They can be used to do very large jobs which require large memories and very fast processor
time.
ii. They are used in time-sharing systems.
iii. They can deal with very complex mathematical functions which would be very time consuming
using a PC.
Disadvantages:
i.
Mainframe computers need to be permanently housed in a large room, so cannot be moved
around.
ii. They are very expensive to operate and maintain.