KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

Self Access Learning Module

ICT Literacy for

Secondary School
Programme

Computer Hardware
Evolution and Types of the Computers

PUSAT PERKEMBANGAN KURIKULUM

KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA
 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

MODULE 1

Evolution and Types of the Computers

Curriculum Development Centre

Ministry of Education Malaysia

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

1. Name of Module : Computer Hardware: Evolution and Types of Computers

2. Learning Outcomes: The students should be able to:

• state the generations of computers together with the respective

processors used
• explain the generations of computers together with the respective
processors used
• identify the types of computers:
o Supercomputer
o Mainframe
o Mini Computer
o Micro Computer
o Work Station
• define different types of computer

3. Knowledge and Skills:

1. Explain the evolution of the computer generation.

2. Match the types of processors used.
3. Introduce various types of computers.
4. Labelling a flow chart of the types of computers.
5. Gathering and presenting information on the types of computers

4. Module Summary: At the end of the module, students should be able to

explain about the evolution of the computer generation and types of processors
used.

This module contains 5 activities:

Activity 1: Explaining the evolution of the computer generation.

Activity 2: Matching the types of processors used.
Activity 3: Introducing various types of computers.
Activity 4: Labelling a flow chart of the types of computers.
Activity 5: Gathering and presenting information on the types of computers

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Introduction to Computer

Activity 1: Evolution of the Computer

Generation Years Circuitry Devices Processors

First 1939 to 1954 Vacuum Calculators ENIAC, EDSAC,
tubes EDVAC,
UNIVAC, IBM
Second 1954 to 1959 Transistor Mainframes IBM,
System/360,
BUNCH
Third 1959 to 1971 Integrated Timesharing, PDP, System/32,
circuits (IC) minicomputer System/36
Fourth 1971 to 1991 Very-large- Microcomputer, VAX, AS/400,
scale Embedded computer, Intel. Motorola,
integration Personal computer, MOS, Zilog,
(VLSI) and WDC, Pentium,
the ARM
Microprcessor architecture,
MIPS, SPARC
Fifth 1991 to Small Super Computers Commodore,
present and Computer Mainframe UNIX System,
Beyond System Computers Intel Pentium,
Interface Mini Computers Pentium MMX,
(SCSI), Video Personal Computers Pentium II, AMD,
Electronic Mobile Computers Athlon, Pentium
Standard Personal computer, III, Pentium IV
Association PowerPC,
(VESA) PowerMacs,
PlayStation.

Additional source: http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/recording/computer1.html#gp05

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 2: Types of Computers

Supercomputer

Supercomputer is a computer that led the world (or was

close to doing so) in terms of processing capacity,
particularly the speed of calculation, at the time of its
introduction. The term "Super Computing" was first used
by the New York World newspaper in 1929[1] to refer to
large custom-built tabulators IBM made for Columbia
University. It was used to solve problems involving by
major universities, military agencies and scientific
research laboratories.
The Cray-2 was the world's fastest
Additional Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer computer from 1985 to 1989.

Mainframes

Mainframes are designed to handle very high volume input and output (I/O) and
emphasize throughout computing. It is used mainly, by large organizations for critical
applications, typically bulk data processing, industry and consumer statistics, ERP, and
financial transaction processing. The term probably originated from the early
mainframes, as they were housed in enormous, room-
sized metal boxes or frames. [1] Later the term was used
to distinguish high-end commercial machines from less
powerful units which were often contained in smaller
packages. Today in practice, the term usually refers to
computers compatible with the IBM System/360 line, first
introduced in 1965. (IBM System z9 is IBM's latest
incarnation.) Otherwise, systems with similar functionality
but not based on the IBM System/360 are referred to as
"servers." However, "server" and "mainframe" are A Honeywell-Bull DPS 7 mainframe,
different (see client-server). circa 1990.

Additional source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainframe_computer

Mini Computer

Minicomputer is a midsized computer. It is an old term for

a class of multi-user computers, lies between the largest
multi-user systems (mainframe computers) and the
smallest single-user systems (microcomputers or personal
computers). In the past, it formed a different group with its
own hardware and operating systems.
Multi-user mini computer at RAL
Additional source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Microcomputer

Small desktop or portable computer, typically designed to be used by one person at a

time, although individual computers can be linked in a network so that users can share
data and programmes. Its central processing unit is a microprocessor, contained on a
single integrated circuit.

Microcomputers are the smallest of the four

classes of computer (the others are
supercomputer, mainframe, and minicomputer).
Since the appearance in 1975 of the first
commercially available microcomputer, the Altair
8800, micros have become ubiquitous in
commerce, industry, and education.

© From the Hutchinson Encyclopaedia.

Helicon Publishing LTD 2007.
All rights reserved.
Additional source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcomputer
: http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/computers/data/m0008890.html

Work Station

A type of computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM), desktop publishing,

software development and other types of applications that require a moderate amount of
computing power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.

Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, at least 64

MB (megabytes) of RAM, built-in network support and a graphical user interface. Most
workstations also have a mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of
workstation, called a diskless workstation, comes without a disk drive. The most
common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT.

In terms of computing power, workstations lie between personal

computers and minicomputers, although the line
is fuzzy on both ends. High-end personal
computers are equivalent to low-end
workstations. And high-end workstations are
equivalent to minicomputers.

Like personal computers, most workstations are

single-user computers. However, workstations are
typically linked together to form a Local Area Network, although they can also be used
as stand-alone systems.

In networking, workstation refers to any computer connected to a Local Area Network. It

could be a workstation or a personal computer.

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 3: Different Types of Computer

There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most of these words imply the size,
expected use or capability of the computer. While the term computer can apply to
virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it, most people think of a computer as a
device that receives input from the user through a mouse or keyboard, processes it in
some fashion and displays the result on a screen.

• PC - The personal computer (PC) defines a computer designed for general

use by a single person.. PCs were first known as microcomputers because
they were a complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the huge
systems in use by most businesses.

• Desktop - A PC that is set up in a permanent location(not portable). Most

desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost than their
portable brethren.

• Laptop - Also called notebook. Laptops are portable computers that

integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor,
memory and hard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than
an average hardcover book.

• Palmtop - More commonly known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),

palmtops are tightly integrated computers that often use flash memory
instead of a hard drive for storage. These computers usually do not have
keyboards but rely on touchscreen technology for user input. Palmtops are
typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with a reasonable
battery life. A slightly larger and heavier version of the palmtop is the
handheld computer.

• Workstation - A desktop computer that has a more powerful processor,

additional memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group
of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development.

• Server - A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other

computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, large
memory and hard drives.

• Mainframe - In the early days of computing, mainframes were huge

computers that could fill an entire room or even a whole floor. The size of
computers has diminished while its power has increased, the term mainframe
has fallen out of use in favor of enterprise server. You'll still hear the term
used, particularly in large companies to describe the huge machines
processing millions of transactions every day.

• Minicomputer - Another term rarely used nowadays. Minicomputers fall in

between microcomputers (PCs) and mainframes (enterprise servers).
Minicomputers are normally referred to as mid-range servers now.

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

• Supercomputer - This type of computer usually costs hundreds of thousands

or even millions of dollars. Although some supercomputers are single
computer systems, most are comprised of multiple high performance
computers working in parallel as a single system. The best known
supercomputers are built by Cray Supercomputers.

• Wearable - The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially,

common computer applications (e-mail, database, multimedia,
calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even
clothing.

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 1

Compare the features of the generations of computers.

Generations Years Circuitry Devices Processors

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 2

Differentiate between a single user system and a multi user system.

Single user system Multi user system

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

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 ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 3

Matching the description with the correct types of computers.

It was used to solve problems in major

universities, military agencies and scientific • Supercomputer
research laboratories.

It is designed to handle very high volume

input and output (I/O) and emphasized • Micro Computer
throughout computing.

A midsized and multi-user computer • Mini Computer

Small desktop or portable computer,

typically designed to be used by one person
at a time although individual computers can • Work Station
be linked in a network so that users can
share data and programs

A type of computer used for engineering

applications, desktop publishing, software
development and other types of applications. • Mainframe

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