Types of computers - description, features, characteristics and interesting facts. What are computers - types, purposes of use - a brief overview Have you ever heard about a PDA? What is a PDA
This article contains a short computer overview: talks about what computers are, how they differ and what they are for.
What is a personal computer
Computers are electronic computers that perform tasks or calculations in accordance with a set of instructions, or programs. The first fully electronic computers, created in the 1940s, were huge and served by many people. Compared to those early machines, today's computers are this is just a miracle... They are not only thousands of times faster, but incomparably more compact: can fit on your desk, on your lap or even in your pocket.
Computers work with the interconnection of equipment and software. Equipment refers to the visible and material components of a computer, including the case and all of its contents. The most important device in hardware is a small rectangular microcircuit inside the computer called CPU or microprocessor. This is the “brain” of the computer — the part that interprets commands and performs computations. Hardware components such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and others are often referred to as devices.
Software are commands, or programs, that tell the hardware what to do. For example, one type of software is a text editor with which you can write letters on your computer. The operating system is the software that controls the computer and the devices attached to it. Windows is a widely used operating system.
ENIAC
Developed in 1946, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) was the first electronic computer general purpose... It was built for the United States Army to calculate the trajectory of artillery shells.
ENIAC was huge in size, weighed over 27,000 kilograms and filled a large room. To process the data, ENIAC used about 18,000 vacuum tubes, each the size of an ordinary light bulb. The lamps quickly burned out, and they constantly needed to be replaced.
Types of computers
Computers vary in size and ability. At one end of the scale are supercomputers, very large computers with thousands of interconnected microprocessors that can perform highly complex calculations.
On the other side are small computers built into cars, televisions, stereos, calculators, and household appliances. These computers are designed for a limited number of tasks.
Personal Computer or PC, is a computer designed to be used by one person at a time. This section describes different kinds personal computers: desktop, laptop, pocket and tablet PCs.
Desktop computers
Desktop computers designed to work at the table. They are usually larger and more powerful than other types of personal computers. Desktop computers are made up of separate components. The main component is called the system unit - usually a rectangular case that sits on or under the table. Other components such as a monitor, mouse and keyboard are connected to the system unit.
Laptop computers and netbooks
Laptop computers Are lightweight mobile PCs with a thin screen. Laptop computers are battery operated, so you can take them with you wherever you go. Unlike desktop PCs, laptops combine a CPU, screen, and keyboard in a single case. When the screen is not in use, it is lowered onto the keyboard.
Netbooks(often referred to as mini laptops) are small and affordable portable PCs built for a limited number of tasks. They are usually less powerful than laptop computers and are therefore primarily used for browsing the Internet and checking email.
Smartphones
Smartphones Are mobile phones that have similar capabilities to a computer.
Using a smartphone, you can make phone calls, access the Internet, store contact information, send emails and text messages, play games, and create photos. Smartphones usually have keyboards and a wide screen.
Pocket Computers
Some PDAs have advanced features, such as making phone calls or the Internet. Instead of a keyboard, Pocket PCs are equipped with a touchscreen that recognizes the touch of a finger or stylus.
Tablet computers
Tablet PCs- this is mobile computers that combine laptop and handheld computers... Like laptop computers, they are powerful and have a built-in screen. Like Pocket PCs, they let you write notes or draw on the screen.
Usually, this is not done with a stylus, but with the pen of a tablet PC. They can also convert handwritten text into typed text. Some tablet computers have a universal solution - a screen that rotates and reveals a keyboard hidden under it.
What you can use a computer for
At work, many people use computers to store records, analyze data, conduct research, and manage projects. At home, computers can be used to search for information, store music and pictures, keep track of finances, play games, and communicate — the list goes on.
Also, using a computer, you can connect to the Internet, a network that connects computers all over the world. Internet access is usually available for a monthly fee in most cities and is now expanding into less populated areas. By connecting to the Internet, you can communicate with people from all over the world and find large amounts of information.
Here are some popular ways to use computers:
Surfing the Internet
Web (also called the World Wide Web or the Internet) Is a gigantic repository of information. The web is the most popular part of the web, in part because it displays information in a visually appealing format.
On one page, titles, texts, images (like on a magazine page) can be combined with voice acting and animation. A website is a collection of interconnected web pages. The web contains millions of sites and billions of web pages.
Internet Navigation means browsing different web pages. On the Web, you can find information on almost any topic you can imagine. For example, you can read news and movie reviews, check plane schedules, view a city map, get weather forecasts, or check your health status. Most companies, institutions, museums and libraries have websites with information about their products, services, or collection. Reference sources such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are also widely available.
The internet is also a joy for the shopper. On the websites of large shopping establishments, you can view and buy goods: books, music, toys, clothes, electronics and much more. It is also possible to buy and sell used items through websites that offer them at auctions.
Email (abbreviated email) Is a fast and convenient way to communicate. An email message appears almost instantly in the recipient's email inbox.
E-mail messages can be sent to multiple recipients at the same time, as well as saved, printed, and forwarded to others. Almost any type of file can be sent in an email message: documents, pictures, and music. Plus, you don't need stamps for email!
Instant messaging
Instant messaging resembles a conversation with another person or group of people in real time. After you type and send an instant message, everyone in the conversation immediately sees it.
Unlike email, instant messaging requires everyone to be online (connected to the Internet) and in front of their computer screens. Communication through instant messaging called chat.
Image, music and films
If you have a digital camera, you can move images from the camera to your computer. You can then print these images, create slideshows from them, or provide them with general access by posting on the website or sending by e-mail.
In addition, you can listen to music on your computer: music recordings need to be imported from CDs or purchased from a music site. You can also tune your computer to receive any of the thousands of radio stations that broadcast their programs on the Internet. If your computer has a DVD player, you can also watch movies.
Games
Do you like games? There are thousands computer games of all possible categories. Challenge yourself at the wheel of a sports car, in a battle with terrible underground creatures or rule over civilizations and empires!
Many games allow you to compete against players from all over the world over the Internet. Windows includes a variety of card games, strategy games, and puzzles. For more information see
The main computer devices "live" in the system unit. These include: motherboard, processor, video card, RAM, HDD... But outside of it, usually on the table, no less important computer devices also "live". Such as: monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, printer.
In this article, we will look at, What does computer consist of how these devices look, what function they perform, and where they are.
System unit.
In the first category, we will analyze those devices, or they are also called components, that "hide" in the system unit. They are most important to his work. By the way, you can immediately look into the system unit. This is not difficult. It is enough to unscrew the two bolts at the back system unit and move the lid to the side, and then we will see a view of the most important computer devices, in order of which, we will now consider.
The motherboard is printed circuit board, which is designed to connect the main components of the computer. Some of them, for example, a processor or video card are installed directly on the motherboard into the socket provided for this. And the other part of the components, for example, a hard drive or a power supply, is connected to the motherboard using special cables.
A processor is a microcircuit and at the same time the "brain" of a computer. Why? Because he is responsible for all operations. How better processor the faster it will perform these very operations, respectively, the computer will work faster. The processor, of course, affects the speed of the computer, and even very strongly, but from your hard disk, video card and RAM will also depend on the speed of the PC. So the most powerful processor does not guarantee a high speed of the computer if the rest of the components are outdated for a long time.
3. Video card.
A video card, or in another way a graphics card, is designed to display images on the monitor screen. It is also installed in the motherboard, in a special PSI-Express connector. Less often, a video card can be built into the motherboard itself, but its power is often enough only for office applications and working on the Internet.
RAM is such a rectangular bar, like a cartridge from old game consoles. It is intended for temporary storage of data. For example, it stores a clipboard. We copied some text on the site, and immediately it got into the RAM. Information on running programs, computer hibernation and other temporary data are stored in RAM. A feature of the RAM is that the data from it is completely deleted after the computer is turned off.
Hard disk, unlike RAM, is designed for long-term storage files. In another way it is called the Winchester. It stores data on special plates. also in recent times spread SSD disk and.
Their features include high speed of work, but there is immediately a minus - they are expensive. A 64 gigabyte SSD will cost you the same price as a 750 gigabyte hard drive. Imagine how much an SSD for several hundred gigabytes will cost. In, in! But do not be upset, you can buy a 64 GB SSD drive and use it as system disk, that is, install Windows on it. They say that the speed of work increases several times. The system starts up very quickly, the programs fly. I plan to upgrade to an SSD and store regular files on a traditional hard drive.
The disk drive is needed to work with disks. Although it is already much less often used, it is still on stationary computers it won't hurt yet. At least the floppy drive is useful for installing the system.
6. Cooling systems.
The cooling system is made up of fans that cool the components. Usually three or more coolers are installed. Necessarily one on the processor, one on the video card, and one on the power supply, and then as desired. If something is lukewarm, then it is advisable to cool. Fans are also installed on hard drives and in the building itself. If a cooler in the case is installed on the front panel, then it takes heat, and coolers installed on the rear compartment supply cold air to the system.
The sound card outputs sound to the speakers. It is usually built into the motherboard. But it happens that it either breaks down, and therefore is bought separately, or initially the quality of the standard PC owner does not suit and he buys another sound. In general, a sound card also qualifies for this list of PC devices.
The power supply is needed in order for all the above-described computer devices to work. It provides all the components with the required amount of electricity.
8. Housing
And so that the motherboard, processor, video card, RAM, hard disk, floppy drive, sound card, the power supply unit and possibly some additional components had to be shoved somewhere, we need a case. There it is all neatly installed, twisted, plugged in and started daily life, from on to off. The required temperature is maintained in the housing, and everything is protected from damage.
As a result, we get a full-fledged system unit, with all essential devices computers that are needed for it to work.
Peripherals.
Well, in order to fully start working on a computer, and not look at the "buzzing" system unit, we need Peripheral Devices. These include those computer components that are outside the system unit.
The monitor itself is needed to see what we are working with. The video card feeds the image to the monitor. They are connected to each other with a VGA or HDMI cable.
The keyboard is designed to enter information, well, of course, what kind of work without a full keyboard. Type text, play games, surf the Internet, and everywhere you need a keyboard.
3. Mouse.
The mouse is needed to control the cursor on the screen. Drive it in different directions, click, open files and folders, call various functions and much more. As well as without a keyboard, without a mouse anywhere.
4. Columns.
Loudspeakers are needed mainly for listening to music, watching movies and playing games. Who else today uses speakers more than ordinary users reproduce them daily in these tasks.
A printer and a scanner are needed to print and scan documents and everything else you need in the field of printing. Or MFP, multifunction device... It will be useful to all those who often prints, scans, makes photocopies and performs many other tasks with this device.
In this article, we have only briefly covered the main computer devices, and in others, the links to which you see below, we will take a closer look at all the most popular peripheral devices, as well as the components that are part of the system unit, that is, components.
Enjoy reading!
A computer- this is electronic device that works with information and data. It can store information, process, receive, transmit, etc. You probably already know that using a computer you can work with documents, by e-mail, play games, browse the web, and work with spreadsheets, presentations, watch videos, and more.
In this lesson, we will answer the basic questions that beginners have, such as what is a computer and what types of computers are there.
Hardware and software
Before going any further, you should be aware of two important things: this Hardware computer or in other words "hardware", and software or just programs with which we perform any tasks on a computer every day.
All your actions on the computer are related to hardware and software. For example, you are currently viewing this web page and are learning a lesson using web browser(software), and on your right hand you hold mouse(hardware) with which you can easily navigate through the pages.
Types and types of computers
When most people hear the word computer, they imagine Personal Computer or laptop. However, computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they perform different functions in our Everyday life... When you withdraw cash from an ATM, when your groceries are passed through a price scanner in a supermarket, or when you use a calculator. All these are also computers, but only of a different type and purpose.
Desktop computers
We use desktop computers at work, home, school, library, etc. They can be small, medium, large and are usually found on the table. It consists of a keyboard, mouse, monitor and system unit. Read more about what a computer consists of.
Most desktops are easy to upgrade and expand, or add new parts. Another advantage of desktops is their cost. If you compare desktop computer and a laptop with the same functionality, you will likely find a desktop computer at a lower price point.
Laptop computers
The second type of computers are laptops. Their advantage is that they are battery operated and are more compact, mobile and therefore can be used almost anywhere.
Since a laptop is smaller than a desktop computer, it will be more difficult to access internal components... This means you cannot update or add new parts as easily as with a desktop computer.
Tablet computers
Tablet computers or simply "tablet". They are even more compact and mobile than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and touchpad, a touchscreen is used for typing and navigation. iPad is an example of a tablet computer.
The tablet cannot completely replace yours. home computer or a laptop, tk. it will be more convenient to launch programs and work with documents on a laptop or desktop computer. But if you just want to play games, sit in social networks, listen to music and watch videos, then a tablet can be an excellent replacement for a computer for you.
Servers
A server is a computer that serves other computers on the network. Many firms, enterprises have file servers for storing information. The server can look like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger.
Servers play an important role in. They store web pages, sites, photos and videos. And they are responsible for their safety and loading time in the browser.
Other types of computers
There are many devices that are also mostly specialized computers, although we don't always think of them as computers. Here are some examples:
- Mobile phones: Today they are able to provide you with many functions that previously could only be performed on a computer, for example, such as playing games, watching movies, etc. These phones are called smartphones.
- Gaming consoles: A specialized type of computer used to play video games. While they are not as full-featured as desktop computers, many of them can perform tasks such as web browsing and Internet video.
- TV sets: Many TVs now include programs and applications that allow you to browse the Internet or watch movies online.
Personal computers come in two flavors: PCs and Macs. Both are fully functional, but look different.
PC: The first such computer was called IBM PC which was released in 1981. Then similar computers other companies began to produce. Today it is the most common type of PC and it uses an operating system. Microsoft Windows.
Mac: These computers began to be produced in 1984 by Apple Inc. They are the first computers with a graphical user interface(GUI). They use an operating Mac system OS X.
There are many concepts used to describe computers and their types. Most of these words mean size, how we will use this or that kind of computer, or its performance. While the term computer can be applied to virtually every device that has a microprocessor, most people think of a computer as a device that receives data from a user using a mouse or keyboard, processes it in some way, and displays the result on the screen. Do you know that there are different types computers? Let's figure out what types there are.
1) Personal Computer(PC) is a type of computer designed for use by an individual, hence the name. PCs were originally known as microcomputers. Your PC doesn't seem so small to you? And once the computer with the processing power of the one you are sitting at now could occupy a room, or even more than one.
Tablet PC
2) Personal computers can take different forms, such as new Apple iPad(below in the picture),
which is a kind of PC like Tablet PC , that is, equipped with a sensitive screen, which allows you to work with it without the usual mouse and keyboard, but with the help of a special stick (stylus) or just your fingers
, because most often I have to deal with it and it is at the desktop computer that I now work. Naturally, this type of computer assumes that it will be placed in a certain place for a long time. Most desktop computers can offer more power, memory, and functionality for less than their portable siblings. Miniaturization is expensive. 
What is a laptop?
4) (sometimes it is called a laptop, from the English laptop, which can be literally translated as "knee-high") - this is the form laptop, which has a built-in display, keyboard, device for controlling the pointer (cursor) - instead of a mouse. Of course, there is a built-in processor, RAM, memory, hard drive, video card, in general, everything that can be seen in the system unit of a desktop computer, only in a more compact form. The laptop runs on battery power, you can plug it into the network and work as long as you like, without electricity it will work until the battery is discharged, which for modern laptops can be up to 12 hours of operation. The notebook weighs a little heavier than the average hardcover book: about 2-3 kilograms.
What is a netbook and how is it different from a laptop
5) A netbook is another type of computer... This is an even more portable form of computers than a laptop, because it is even smaller and even lighter: it weighs about a kilogram. By the way, in order to "lose weight", the netbook had to "reset" the floppy drive: it is simply not there in the netbook. Plus and the difference between a netbook and a laptop also in that it usually costs less than a laptop, but they are less powerful. Designed primarily to work with office applications and on the internet. That should be enough for girls, for example, so as not to carry extra weights, because carrying 3 kilograms of a laptop with you all day is not so easy.
Have you ever heard about the PDA? What is a PDA?
6) Here's what. This is another type: PDA - Personal Digital Assistant, which in Russian will be a PDA - to armored personal computer, and if literally, then "personal digital assistant". In common parlance, the CCP is called a “handheld device”. By the way, if you translate into English « pocket personal computer"- Pocket PC, then it will not be entirely correct, because this is only one of the types of PDAs, but produced by Microsoft, therefore, in English-speaking countries, the term PDA is used. They are very small (of course, you have to justify the title of "pocket"), they usually do not have a keyboard, so information is entered using touch screen, that is, by touching the display. It is also worth noting such devices as smartphones and communicators. What is a communicator and what is a smartphone? There is no clear distinction between them, you can argue on these topics, the main thing is to know these devices combine a PDA and mobile phone, that is, you can call from them, this is the difference from the PDA.
Workstation
7) (Workstation). Serious name, but this kind of computers is actually a desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, more memory and has advanced capabilities for performing special groups of tasks, such as 3D modeling, developing computer games, and others. Look at automated workplace on this photo:
Server
8) Server... A computer view optimized to provide services to other computers over the network. Computers of this type usually have very powerful processors, a lot of memory and large hard drives. This kind of computer just now gives you the opportunity to read this site.
Mainframe
9) The following view: mainframe... At the dawn of the computer age, these were huge machines that took up a room, two, or even an entire floor (I have already mentioned them). Gradually the size of computers decreased while the power increased. The term "mainframe" has gradually fallen out of use, with "enterprise server" being used instead. However, it can still be heard, usually in large companies, to describe huge machines that handle millions of operations every day.
10) Supercomputer. This kind of computer usually costs hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Despite the fact that some supercomputers Are separate computer systems most of them include many high-performance computers working in parallel as a single system.
Good day to you and thank you very much for your interest in our materials. Today we will talk about what a computer consists of. You probably know most of what will be discussed in this lesson, however, if you missed something, then when you study the further lessons, you may simply not understand everything.
First, let's talk a little about the terminology used by users and professionals. We have created a separate section called. Quite often people, when they hear a conversation between two computer specialists, their reaction most often is: "They speak an unknown language, nothing is clear!" - so that a certain kind of language barrier appears between specialists, confident users and beginner users. When I first entered a technical school for a computer specialty, I myself was initially struck by the vocabulary of my classmates, who already had computers at that time and, even, somewhat shocked and began to cause such thoughts in my head: "And how are they in this everyone understands? "," How can I manage to master all this? "," I don't understand anything, am I really the only fool here? " - that is why I know this feeling, and not only familiar, but also tried it out on my own experience. So, to overcome this "language barrier" a small glossary has been created. It is still quite small, but from lesson to lesson we will expand it with new words. In general, speaking in essence, a normal specialist will never throw a bunch of slang and special terms on a newbie, so as not to confuse a person, but if you come across such a "specialist", then you should know that he is most likely a teapot too, just learned a few smart words, or just does not want to make contact. At the beginning and at the end of the lesson, I will give a dictionary with new words, but you can always refer to the link "Dictionary of the most popular computer special terms and professional slang". I will also include the names of the system and peripheral equipment of the personal computer in it.
The main components of the computer
System unit
The system unit is the computer itself. Some people incorrectly call the system unit "processor", however, this is gross mistake since The processor is the heart of the computer, which is located inside the system unit. We will talk about what is inside the system unit in the next lessons - in addition to the processor, there are also a lot of interesting things.
Monitor
Monitor (display) - used to display information from the computer. Subdivided into CRT (cathode ray tube) and LCD (liquid crystal). The first type smoothly but surely continues to leave our homes and workplaces, however, there are still workplaces on which there are high-quality "tube" monitors with large diagonal screen. Usually these are the workplaces of designers who care about high quality color rendering.
Keyboard
The keyboard (keyboard, keyboard, keyboard) is the most basic and, by the nature of service, the most durable computer device, the main purpose of which is to enter information into the computer, and the non-basic one is to resist crawling cockroaches, spilled coffee, compote, tea and other drinks and food that people like to eat and drink sitting at the computer. Moreover, in accordance with the law of meanness - the more expensive the keyboard, the worse it resists "non-main" factors.
Manipulator "Computer mouse"
Mouse (mouse, tailed, mouse) - a manipulator that makes it easier for the user to work in a graphical environment operating system Windows, regardless of version. This small peripheral device significantly more often than others:
- falls to the floor;
- remains without a tail;
- most often fails.
In relation to the mouse, terms such as "click" or "click" (from the English click - click) are used - these words indicate pressing the right or left mouse button. "Double click" or " Double click"- means two clicks on the mouse button with a minimum time interval between clicks, ie if you are told that you need to do a" Double click "or" Double click "with the left mouse button, then this means that you need to at a time interval, double-click the left mouse button.
a printer
Printer - a device that allows you to print text, pictures, photographs on paper, and copies equipped with specialized trays can be printed on discs and plastic cards... They are classified into four types:
- dot matrix - this is such a disgusting squealing unit that prints slowly, in one color and noisy. Such printers are used mainly in METRO supermarkets, well, and in some other places. This printer differs at a truly penny cost Supplies... The principle of operation is very much similar to that of a typewriter - the small needles of the print head hit the ink ribbon and, thus, the absorption is transferred to the paper. These printers are suitable exclusively for printing text on paper.
- inkjet (pictured) - these printers use liquid ink that is applied to the paper through the nozzles of the piezoelectric heads. They differ in the number of colors in the cartridges, the number of cartridges used at the same time, the speed and quality of printing. Suitable for printing on paper and specialized films of text, pictures, photographs, as well as disks and plastic cards (depending on the printer model). They differ in the low cost of the printers themselves and the high cost of consumables.
- laser - the image is applied to the paper by transferring the toner from the drum shaft and burned by the stove. A distinctive feature of these printers is high speed and print quality, high price the printers themselves, which is compensated for at high volumes of printing by the ratio of the cost of consumables to the number of printed sheets at 5% coverage. Suitable for printing on paper and specialty films.
- thermal printer - these printers surround us everywhere, starting with cash registers and ending with faxes and label printers. This printer model uses either thermal ink transfer from an ink ribbon ( thermal transfer printer), or you use paper with a special coating that darkens when heated.
Scanner
Scanner (how to choose a scanner - soon on our website) - a device that allows you to transfer information from paper or film to the computer memory in in electronic format... Scanners are divided into five types:
- manual (aka "rake") - you hold this scanner in your hands and run it over the surface of the scanned text page. Very impractical devices - used only where they are truly irreplaceable.
- flatbed (pictured) - the most common scanner for home and office. There is a slide on which the original is placed, there is a lid with which this original is closed and thus pressed against the glass for better scan... There are copies with so-called slide modules - they allow you to scan photographic films or slides.
- slide scanner - from the name it is already clear that this scanner is used exclusively for scanning photographic films and slides. At the same time, the scanning quality of a slide scanner is certainly higher than that of a flatbed scanner with a slide module.
- industrial - these scanners, as the name implies, are used only for professional purposes, are very expensive and are definitely not needed at home. Can usually scan originals that are larger than typical A1 student Whatman paper.
- Barcode Scanner- we come across this type of scanners every time we get into a self-service store. Specialized scanners designed exclusively for barcode recognition.
Of course, these are not all devices that can be connected to a computer, because there are also external drives information, devices that can be controlled by a computer, etc., but we will talk about this in the next lessons so as not to overload you with information.
In the next lesson, we will look at the basic principles of working in the Microsoft Windows operating system. Due to the fact that you are reading this information from a computer screen, I can assume that you know most of these techniques yourself, however, you could have missed something or simply no one told you all the points - I recommend reading, because To. it will also focus on making work easier.