Types and Components of Computer

System
Base on IGCSE ICT Coursebook 2nd
edition
Created by : Mohammed Elmontasir Elfatih
Date : 29May2024
 Hardware
and
Software

Impact
of
Emerging Technologies Main Components
01
05 of
Computer System
02
04
03

Types
of Operating
Computers System
Hardware and Software
Hardware
Physical components that make computer system.

Hardware divided into tow Categories

o External
o Internal
External H.W Components
o Keyboard
o Mouse
o Monitor
o Printer
o DVD R/W
o Scanner
Internal H.W Components

o Motherboard
o Random Access Memory ( RAM)
o Read Only Memory (ROM)
o Sound Card
o Video Card
o Internal Storage Devices (HDD and SSD)
Software
Program that control the computer system.

Software divided into tow Categories

o Application
o System
 Graphic
Word Processor
Manipulation

Video editing Spreadsheet

Application

Photo editing Database

Control
and APPs
measuring
Compiler
Operating System

System Utilities

Linker Devices Driver

Main Components
of
Computer System
Computer system consist of input devices, output devices and secondary storage
o Central Processing Unit (CPU)
o Internal hard disk drive
o Random Access Memory (RAM)
o Read Only Memory (RAM)

Note:
Will be discussed in chapter (2) in more details
Operating Systems
Enable computer system to function and allow users to communicate with
computer systems.

Operating System include:

o Control of operation
o Supervising the loading
o Dealing with errors
o Maintaining security
o Marinating logs
o Allowing communication between user and computer system (User
Interface)
User Interfaces divided into two categories
o Command Line Interface(CLI)
Programmer, analyst or technician who have
direct communication with a computer system
o Graphical User Interface(GUI)
The end-user who doesn’t have any great
knowledge of how the computer works
 Main difference between CLI and GUI
Interface Advantages Disadvantages
Command Line • The user is directly • The user need to learn a
Interface (CLI) communicate with number of commands.
computer. • All commands need to be
• The user is not restricted typed in.
to a numbers of • Each command must be
predetermined options. typed in using the correct
• It is possible to alter. format.
• It is more difficult to edit
once commands are
entered.
Graphical User • The user doesn’t need to • It uses up more
Interface (GUI) learn any command. considerably memory.
• It is more user friendly. • The user is limited to icon
• A pointing device to click provided.
on an icon • It needs an operating
system
Types of Computer
PC/Desktop Computer
Computer that is made up of a spare:
o Monitor
o Keyboard
o Mouse
o Processor Unit
Laptop Computers
Computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and
processor are all together in one single unit.
 Desktop PC and Laptop Comparison
Computer Type Advantages Disadvantages
Desktop(PC) • Spare parts and connections • Not particularly portable.
tend to be standardized. • The trend to be more
• Trends to have better complicated since all the
specifications for a given price. components need to be
• Power consumption in not carried round.
critical.
• Internet access is more stable.
Laptop • The most obvious is their • They are easily to steal.
portability. • They have limited battery
• There are no trail wires. life.
• They can take full advantage of • The keyboard and pointing
Wi-Fi. devices can sometimes be
• The can link into any awkward to use.
multimedia system.
Tablets
Relatively new internet-enabled portable computer.
Features of Tablets:
• High definition, anti glare displays.
• Front-end and back-facing camera.
• Low weight and longer battery life.
• Bluetooth connection to printer and other devices.
• Flash memory and cloud storage facilities
Tablets advantages and disadvantages comparing
to Laptop
Advantages Disadvantages
• Fast to switch on. • Often have limited memory or
• Full portable with touch screen. storage.
• Can use several APPs as • Typing on touch screen can be
standard. slow and error-prone.
• Battery life is a lot longer. • Transferring files often has to be
• When the power button pressed done through an APP Store.
it goes into standby but remains • Not support most of file
connected to the internet. formats.
Smartphones
Normal phone calls to be made but also have an operating
system.
Features of Smartphones:
• Send and receive emails.
• Surf the net global positioning system.
• Calendar functions.
• Mobile banking.
• Voice over internet.
• Videos and music streaming.
• Instant access to social network and messaging.
 Advantages and disadvantages of Smartphones
Advantages Disadvantages
• Very small in size and • Small screen make pages
lightweight. difficult to read and typing
• Can make calls as well as difficult and slower.
connect to the internet while on • Web browsing and photography
the move. can drain the battery quickly.
• They have hundreds of the APPs. • Not all websites features are
• They have reasonable battery compatible.
life. • The data transfer rate networks
is slower.
Smartwatches
Allow users to wear a mini-computer on their wrists .
Features of Smartwatches:
• Internet connectivity.
• Ability to make and take phone calls.
• Messaging via text or video.
• GPS.
 Advantages and disadvantages of Smartwatches
Advantages Disadvantages
• They are more convenient. • They are relatively and large
• They are very easy to use for bulky which can make them
monitoring fitness and regimes. uncomfortable to wear.
• Unattractive in design.
Mainframe Computers
Large very powerful computer system.
Features of Mainframe Computers:
• Can have several CPUs.
• Can support multiple operating systems.
• Have huge amount of storage capacity.
• Have huge internal memories
• Often operate using time sharing or batch processing.
Impact of Emerging Technologies
Impact of the new technologies:
• Artificial Inelegance (AI) and biometrics.
• Vision enhancement.
• Robotics.
• Quantum cryptography.
• Computer-assistant translation (CAT).
• 3-D and holographic imaging.
• Virtual reality.