Different Types of

Computers
ICT 9(CHS)
 Analog Computers
 These are almost extinct today.
 These are different from a digital computer
because an analog computer can only perform
several mathematical operations
simultaneously.
 It uses continuous variables for mathematical
operations and utilizes mechanical or electrical
energy.
Digital Computers
 They use digital circuits and are designed to operate on
two states, namely bits 0 and 1.
 They are analogous to states ON and OFF. Data on these
computers is represented as a series of 0s and 1s.
 Digital computers are suitable for complex computation
and have higher processing speeds. They are
programmable.
 Digital computers are either general purpose computers
or special purpose ones.
 Special purpose computers, as their name suggests, are
designed for specific types of data processing while
general purpose computers are meant for general use.
 Hybrid Computers
 These computers are a combination of both
digital and analog computers.
 Inthis type of computers, the digital
segments perform process control by
conversion of analog signals to digital ones.
1 2 4
3
7 8
5 6

9 10
EMARFNIAM SRETUPMOC
IINM TRESCOMUP
VERSSER
REPUS MUPCOSERT
CROIM UPMRESTCO
POTSDESK
SPOTPAL
TEN KOOBS
LANOSREP LATIGID STNATSISSA
LETBAT SRETUPMOC
ABLEWEAR MUPCOSERTS
Classification of Computers
ICT 9(CHS)
Mainframe Computers
 Large organizations use mainframes for highly
critical applications such as bulk data processing
and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).
 Mostof the mainframe computers have the
capacities to host multiple operating systems and
operate as a number of virtual machines and can
substitute for several small servers.
Minicomputers
 Interms of size and processing capacity,
minicomputers lie in between mainframes and
microcomputers.
 Minicomputers are also called mid-range systems or
workstations.
 The term began to be popularly used in the 1960s to
refer to relatively smaller third generation
computers.
Servers
 They are computers designed to provide services to client
machines in a computer network.
 They have larger storage capacities and powerful
processors. Running on them are programs that serve client
requests and allocate resources like memory and time to
client machines.
 Usually they are very large in size, as they have large
processors and many hard drives. They are designed to be
fail-safe and resistant to crash.
 Supercomputers
 The highly calculation-intensive tasks can be effectively
performed by means of supercomputers. Quantum
physics, mechanics, weather forecasting, molecular
theory are best studied by means of supercomputers.
 Their ability of parallel processing and their well-
designed memory hierarchy give the supercomputers,
large transaction processing powers.
 Microcomputers
 A computer with a microprocessor and its central processing
unit it is known as a microcomputer. They do not occupy space
as much as mainframes do.
 When supplemented with a keyboard and a mouse,
microcomputers can be called personal computers. A monitor,
a keyboard and other similar input output devices, computer
memory in the form of RAM and a power supply unit come
packaged in a microcomputer. These computers can fit on
desks or tables and prove to be the best choice for single-user
tasks.
 
1. EMARFNIAM SRETUPMOC
2. IINM TRESCOMUP
3. VERSSER
4. REPUS MUPCOSERT
5. CROIM UPMRESTCO
6. POTSDESK
7. SPOTPAL
8. TEN KOOBS
9. LANOSREP LATIGID STNATSISSA
10. LETBAT SRETUPMOC
11. ABLEWEAR MUPCOSERTS
Personal Computers
Desktops
A desktop is intended to be used on a single
location. The spare parts of a desktop
computer are readily available at relatively
lower costs. Power consumption is not as
critical as that in laptops.
 Desktopsare widely popular for daily use in
the workplace and households.
Laptops
 Similar in operation to desktops, laptop
computers are miniaturized and optimized for
mobile use.
 Laptops run on a single battery or an external
adapter that charges the computer batteries.
Net books
 Theyfall in the category of laptops, but are
inexpensive and relatively smaller in size. They
had a smaller feature set and lesser capacities in
comparison to regular laptops, at the time they
came into the market.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
 It is a handheld computer and popularly known as a
palmtop. It has a touch screen and a memory card
for storage of data.
 PDAs can also be used as portable audio players,
web browsers and smart phones. Most of them can
access the Internet by means of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
communication.
Tablet Computers
 Tablets are mobile computers that are very
handy to use. They use the touch screen
technology.
 Tablets come with an onscreen keyboard
or use a stylus or a digital pen. Apple's iPod
redefined the class of tablet computers.
Wearable Computers
 A record-setting step in the evolution of computers was the
creation of wearable computers.
 These computers can be worn on the body and are often
used in the study of behavior modeling and human health.
Military and health professionals have incorporated
wearable computers into their daily routine, as a part of
such studies. When the users' hands and sensory organs are
engaged in other activities, wearable computers are of
great help in tracking human actions.
 Wearable computers do not have to be turned on and off
and remain in operation without user intervention.
COMPUTER SYSTEM, DEVICES
AND PERIPHERALS
ICT 9(CHS)
What is an Operating System?
 The operating system is the most important program that runs on a 
computer.
 Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to
run other programs.
 Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input
from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping
track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling 
peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
 For large systems, the operating system has even greater
responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop -- it makes sure
that different program and users running at the same time do not
interfere with each other.
 The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that
unauthorized users do not access the system.
Operating systems can be classified as follows:

 Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at the

same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even
thousands of concurrent users.
• LinuxUnix
Windows 2000
 Multiprocessing : Supports running a program on more than
one CPU.
• LinuxUnix
Windows 2000
  Multitasking : Allows more than one program to run
concurrently.
• Unix
Windows 2000 and Windows multi point
 Multithreading : Allows different parts of a single program
to run concurrently.
• Linux
• Unix
• Windows 2000 and Windows 7
 Real time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose
operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real-time.
 
Computer Devices
What are the devices of a computer?
 Thephysical, touchable, electronic and
mechanical parts of a computer are called the
hardware which is composed of different
devices attached to the computer.
 Thefollowing list represents a basic set of
devices found in most Personal Computers.
1. System Unit- The main part of a microcomputer, sometimes called
the chassis. It includes the following parts: Motherboard,
Microprocessor, Memory Chips, Buses, Ports, Expansion Slots and Cards.
 2. Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board- The main
circuit board of a computer. It contains all the circuits and
components that run the computer.
3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or
“heart” of a computer system. It performs all of the instructions and
calculations that are needed and manages the flow of information
through a computer.
4. Primary storage- (internal storage, main memory or memory) is the
computer's working storage space that holds data, instructions for
processing and processed data (information) waiting to be sent to
secondary storage. Physically, primary storage is a collection of RAM chips.
Two (2) Types of Memory
 ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile, meaning it
holds data even when the power is ON or OFF.
RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning
it holds data only when the power is on. When the power
is off, RAM's contents are lost.
5. Expansion Bus - A bus is a data pathway between several hardware
components inside or outside a computer. It does not only connect the
parts of the CPU to each other, but also links the CPU with other
important hardware.
6. Adapters- Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards) that enable the computer
to use a peripheral device for which it does not have the necessary connections or circuit
boards. They are often used to permit upgrading to a new different hardware.
7. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to the
motherboard. It converts 120vac (standard house power) into DC voltages that are used by
other components in the PC.
 
8. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - Also known as hard drive, is a magnetic storage
device that is installed inside the computer. The hard drive is used as
permanent storage for data. In a Windows computer, the hard drive is usually
configured as the C: drive and contains the operating system and applications.
9. Optical Drive- An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to
read data on the optical media. There are three types of optical drives:
Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and Blu-ray Disc (BD).
10. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) - Designed to optically access data
stored on a DVD. A laser moves back and forth near the disk surface and
accesses data at a very fast rate.
 ASSIGNMENT: Answer the following
questions on a 1 whole sheet of paper.
1. What are the input and output devices of
a computer?
2. What are the two (2) Types of Input
Devices?
3. What are the Types of Output Devices?
4. What are the types of Monitors?
5. What are the types of Printers?
Computer Devices
 What are the input and output devices of a
computer?

 The devices attached to a personal computer can be

classified into two- the input and output devices. Input
Device is composed of a device that accepts data and
instructions from the user or from another computer
system. While, output device is any piece of computer
hardware that displays results after the computer has
processed the input data that has been entered.
Two (2) Types of Input Devices
 1. Keyboard Entry – Data is inputted to the computer through a keyboard.
Keyboard - The first input device developed for the PC. Data is transferred to
the PC over a short cable with a circular 6-pin Mini-din connector that plugs into the
back of the motherboard.

 2. Direct Entry – A form of input that does not require data to be keyed by
someone sitting at a keyboard. Direct-entry devices create machine-readable
data on paper, or magnetic media, or feed it directly into the computer’s CPU.
Three (3) Categories of Direct Entry Devices

 1. Pointing Devices - An input device used to move the pointer (cursor) on

screen.
• Mouse - The most common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every mouse has two
buttons and most have one or two scroll wheels.
• Touch screen- A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger or
stylus. Used in myriad applications, including ATM machines, retail point-of-
sale terminals, car navigation and industrial controls. The touch screen
became wildly popular for smart phones and tablets.
• Light Pen - A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to
draw pictures or select menu options. The user brings the pen to the
desired point on screen and presses the pen button to make contact.
• Digitizer Tablet - A graphics drawing tablet used for
sketching new images or tracing old ones. Also called a
"graphics tablet," the user contacts the surface of the
device with a wired or wireless pen or puck. Often
mistakenly called a mouse, the puck is officially the "tablet
cursor."
 2. Scanning Devices- A device that can read text or
illustrations printed on paper and translates the information
into a form the computer can use. 
 3. Voice- Input Devices - Audio input devices also known
as speech or voice recognition systems that allow a user to
send audio signals to a computer for processing,
recording, or carrying out commands. Audio input devices
such as microphones allow users to speak to the computer
in order to record a voice message or navigate software.
Output Devices
 1. Computer Display Monitor- It displays information in visual form,
using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the
information is called the screen or video display terminal.
Types of Monitor
 A. CRT Monitors - Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) were the only type of
displays for use with desktop PCs. They are relatively big (14" to 16"
deep) and heavy (over 15 lbs).
 B. LCD Monitors – Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
technology has been used in laptops for some
time. It has recently been made commercially
available as monitors for desktop PCs.
 
 C. LED Monitors (Light Emitting Diode) - A display
and lighting technology used in almost every
electrical and electronic product on the market,
from a tiny on/off light to digital readouts,
flashlights, traffic lights and perimeter lighting. 
 2. LCD Projectors- utilize two sheets of polarizing material
with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric
current passed through the liquid causes the crystals to align
so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal,
therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass
through or blocking the light.
 3. Smart Board - A type of display screen that has a touch
sensitive transparent panel covering the screen, which is
similar to a touch screen.
 4. Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations on paper.
Types of printer
 A. Ink-Jet or Bubble-Jet Printer - spays ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers
produce high-quality text and graphics.
 B. Laser Printer - Uses the same technology as copy machines. Laser printers
produce very high quality text and graphics.
 C. LCD and LED Printer- Similar to a laser printer, but uses liquid crystals or light-
emitting diodes rather than a laser to produce an image on the drum.
 D. Line Printer - Contains a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at
one time. Line printers are very fast, but produce low-quality print.
 E. Thermal Printer- An inexpensive printer that works by pushing heated pins
against heat-sensitive paper. Thermal printers are widely used in calculators and
fax machines.
 5. Speakers - Used to play sound. They may be built into
the system unit or connected with cables. Speakers allow
you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your
computer.
What is a Storage Device?
 Aside from the devices attached on a PC, there are
also the so called storage devices that perform a
special task in computing system.
 Storage device is any apparatus for recording computer
data in a permanent or semi-permanent form.
 
Types of storage devices
 1. Floppy diskette- is a random access, removable data storage medium
that can be used with personal computers. The term usually refers to the
magnetic medium housed in a rigid plastic cartridge measuring 3.5 inches
square and about 2millimeters thick. Also called a "3.5-inch diskette," it
can store up to 1.44 megabytes (MB) of data.
 2. Compact disc (CD) – also called optical disc is a nonmagnetic, polished
metal disk used to store digital information. The disc is read by the CD-
ROM.

 3.Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)- an optical disc technology with a 4.7

gigabyte storage capacity on a single-sided, one-layered disk, which is
enough for a 133-minute movie. 
4. Jump disk and USB flash disk- is a plug-and-play portable storage
device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to attach to a
key chain. A USB drive can be used in place of a floppy disk, Zip drive
 disk, or CD. 
5. Hard disk- is the main, and usually largest, data storage device in a
computer. The operating system, software titles and most other
files are stored in the hard disk drive.
 
6. LS-120- is a drive which supports a special floppy diskette which
can store up to 120MB of information as well as being backwards
compatible and still supporting the standard 1.44MB floppy diskettes. 
7. Zip disk-is a small, portable disk drive used primarily for backing up
and archiving personal computer files.
Units of Memory of Storage Devices
 1. Bit. Short for binary digit it is the smallest unit of
measurement.
 2. Byte. One (1) byte is equivalent to 8 bits. A single byte
corresponds to a single letter, number or punctuation mark.
 3. Kilobyte(KB). One (1) kilobyte is equivalent to 1,024 bytes.
 4. Megabyte(MB). One (1) megabyte is equivalent to 1,048,576
bytes or roughly 1 million bytes.
 5. Gigabyte(GB). One (1) gigabyte is equivalent to 1,024
megabytes.
 6. Terabyte. One (1) terabyte is equivalent to1000 Gigabytes.
Computer Network
What is a Computer NETWORK?
 A network is two or more computers, or other electronic devices,
connected together so that they can exchange data.  
 A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to
share resources (such as printers and CD-ROMs), exchange files, or allow
electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked
through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared
light beams.
 There are three basic types of networks which includes the following:
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Network
 A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined
to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a
geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building.
Rarely are LAN computers more than a mile apart.
 In a typical LAN configuration, one computer is designated
as the file server. It stores all of the software that controls
the network, as well as the software that can be shared by
the computers attached to the network. Computers connected
to the file server are called workstations. The workstations
can be less powerful than the file server, and they may have
additional software on their hard drives. On most LANs, cables
are used to connect the network interface cards in each
computer.
Metropolitan Area Network

 A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that

interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic
area or region larger than that covered by even a large local
area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a 
wide area network (WAN). The term is applied to the
interconnection of networks in a city into a single larger
network (which may then also offer efficient connection to a
wide area network). It is also used to mean the
interconnection of several local area networks by bridging
them with backbone lines. The latter usage is also sometimes
referred to as a campus network.
Wide Area Network
 WideArea Networks (WANs) connect larger geographic
areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the world.
Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks
may be used to connect this type of network.
What are the Networking Devices?
 Consist of, but are not limited to non-local printers, workstations, servers,
webcams, data loggers, instruments, dial-in devices, and, in general
anything that requires an Ethernet connection. These devices are supported
on a best-effort basis limited by the staffing and equipment level available.
 1. Hub is a small, simple, inexpensive device that joins multiple computers
together. Many network hubs available today support the Ethernet
standard. Other types including USB hubs also exist, but Ethernet is the
type traditionally used in home networking.
 2. Ethernet switch is a device that gathers the signals from devices
that are connected to it, and then regenerates a new copy of each
signal.

 3. Bridge is a device filters data traffic at a network boundary.

Bridges reduce the amount of traffic on a LAN by dividing it into two
segments.
 4. Routers are small physical devices that join multiple networks together. 

 5. Network gateway is an internetworking system capable of joining

together two networks that use different base protocols. A network gateway
can be implemented completely in software, completely in hardware, or as
a combination of both.
 6. Network interface is a device that connects a client computer, server,
printer or other component to your network. Most often, a network
interface consists of a small electronic circuit board that is inserted into a
slot inside a computer or printer. Alternatively, some computers, printers,
or other services include network interfaces as part of their main circuit
boards (motherboards).

7. Modem is a contraction of the terms modulator and demodulator. Modems perform a
simple function: They translate digital signals from a computer into analog signals that
can travel across conventional phone lines. The modem modulates the signal at the
sending end and demodulates at the receiving end.

8. Network firewall protects a computer network from unauthorized access. Network

firewalls may be hardware devices, software programs, or a combination of the two.
Network firewalls guard an internal computer network (home, school, business intranet)
against malicious access from the outside. Network firewalls may also be configured to limit
access to the outside from internal users.
 MATERIALS, TOOLS,
EQUIPMENT and TESTING
DEVICES
The following tools and equipment are classified
according to their functions and uses.
Equipment and Accessories Tools Materials

LAN Card Screwdriver(standard) Software

UPS Screwdriver(Philips) applications
Server Long nose pliers NetworkOS Software
24 port-hub Mechanical pliers RJ 45
Modem Allen wrench UTP Cat 5 cable
Fax machine Multi tester Motherboard’s
PC Video camera Crimping tools manual and installer
USBExternalCD writer Soldering iron (30 watts) Sound device driver
USB scanner Wire stripper installer
USB printers LAN Tester
USB Flash Drive Anti-static wrist wrap
Device drivers/installers
  
 LAN Card – is a network interface card. This is a computer
circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that
it can be connected to a network.
 

 Server – is a part of a network. It is a special computer  

that users on the network can access to carry out a  
particular job.
 
 Port hub /Port – is a connector on the back of a computer
or other device. A port is either a serial port or a parallel  
port.
 
 
   
 
 

 Modem - (Modulator-Demodulator) The modem is a device

that allows a given computer to share data or otherwise a
device which let computers exchange information
 
 Scanner- it is an input device that read text or
illustration printed on paper, translates the information
into a form that a computer can use  
 
 Flat Screw Driver – is used to drive or fasten negative
slotted screws
 
 USB – Universal Serial Bus, a hardware interface for low-
speed peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse,
joystick, scanner, printer and telephony devices.
 
 

 Printer - is a piece of hardware that produces a paper

copy (also known as ‘hardcopy’) of the information
generated by the computer.
 

 RAM – Random Access Memory, is a primary memory.

This memory is used inside the computer to hold
programs and data while it is running.
 
 BIOS – Basic Input/ Output System, chip that controls
the most basic functions of the computer and performs
a self-test every time you turn it on.
 
 Flash drive– RAM that can retain data without
electrical power. It is widely used for BIOS chips and  
for digital camera and digital music storage
 
 
 Video Camera - camera using videotape: a camera that
records onto videotape
 
 
 Long nose Pliers – is used for holding, bending and
stretching the lead of electronics component or
 
connecting wire.
   

 
 Soldering Iron – is used to join two or more metal
conductors with the support of soldering lead melted
around it.
 
 Desoldering Tool – is used to unsolder unwanted parts
or component in the circuit with the support of
soldering pencil
 

 Philips Screw Driver- is used to drive or fasten positive  

slotted screws
 

 LAN Tester- for RJ11,12,45& BNC w/ Remote Unit This

ergonomic tester is designed to test most network
cable wiring.  You can either conduct an auto or
manual test.
 

 UTP – Unshielded Twisted Pair, is a popular type of

cable used in computer networking that consists of two
shielded wires twisted around each