What Is PC
What Is PC
What Is PC
WHAT IS PC?
A small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user. In price, personal
computers range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. All are based on
the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses
use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and
for running spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use for
personal computers is for playing games.
Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s. One of the first and most popular personal
computers was the Apple II, introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer. During the late 1970s and early
1980s, new models and competing operating systems seemed to appear daily. Then, in 1981, IBM
entered the fray with its first personal computer, known as the IBM PC. The IBM PC quickly became the
personal computer of choice, and most other personal computer manufacturers fell by the wayside. One
of the few companies to survive IBM's onslaught was Apple Computer, which remains a major player in
the personal computer marketplace.
Other companies adjusted to IBM's dominance by building IBM clones, computers that were
internally almost the same as the IBM PC, but that cost less. Because IBM clones used the same
microprocessors as IBM PCs, they were capable of running the same software. Over the years, IBM has
lost much of its influence in directing the evolution of PCs. Many of its innovations, such as the
MCA expansion bus and the OS/2 operating system, have not been accepted by the industry or the
marketplace.
Desktop computer
Prior to the wide spread of PCs a computer that could fit on a desk was considered remarkably
small. Today the phrase usually indicates a particular style of computer case. Desktop computers come
in a variety of styles ranging from large vertical tower cases to small form factor models that can be
tucked behind an LCD monitor. In this sense, the term 'desktop' refers specifically to a horizontally-
oriented case, usually intended to have the display screen placed on top to save space on the desk top.
Most modern desktop computers have separate screens and keyboards.
Single unit
Single unit PCs (also known as all-in-one PCs) are a subtype of desktop computers, which
combine the monitor and case of the computer within a single unit. The monitor often utilizes
atouchscreen as an optional method of user input, however detached keyboards and mice are normally
still included. The inner components of the PC are often located directly behind the monitor, and many
are built similarly to laptops.
Nettop
A subtype of desktops, called nettops, was introduced by Intel in February 2008 to describe low-
cost, lean-function, desktop computers. A similar subtype of laptops (or notebooks) are
thenetbooks (see below). These feature the new Intel Atom processor which specially enables them to
consume less power and to be built into small enclosures.
Laptop
Netbook
An HP netbook
Netbooks (also called mini notebooks or subnotebooks) are a rapidly evolving category of small,
light and inexpensive laptop computers suited for general computing and accessing web-based
applications; they are often marketed as "companion devices," that is, to augment a user's other
computer access. Walt Mossberg called them a "relatively new category of small, light, minimalist and
cheap laptops." ] By August 2009, CNET called netbooks "nothing more than smaller, cheaper
notebooks."
Tablet PC
Ultra-Mobile PC
The ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is a specification for a small form factor of tablet PCs. It was
developed as a joint development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung, among others. Current
UMPCs typically feature the Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Linux operating system and
low-voltage Intel Atom or VIA C7-M processors.
Home theater PC
A home theater PC (HTPC) is a convergence device that combines the functions of a personal
computer and a digital video recorder. It is connected to a television or a television-sized computer
display and is often used as a digital photo, music, video player, TV receiver and digital video recorder.
Home theater PCs are also referred to as media center systems or media servers.
Pocket PC
An O2 pocket PC
Processing: computer performs specific operation on data determined by the user or system
ELEMENTS OF COMPUTER
Hardware
General term for the physical artifacts of a technology. It may also mean the physical components of
a computer system, in the form of computer hardware.
Software
Computer software, or just software, is the collection of computer programs and related data that
provide the instructions telling acomputer what to do. We can also say software refers to one or more computer
programs and data held in the storage of the computer for some purposes. Program software performs
the function of the program it implements, either by directly providing instructions to the computer hardware or
by serving as input to another piece of software.
Peopleware
Term used to refer to one of the three core aspects of computer technology, the other two
being hardware and software. Peopleware can refer to anything that has to do with the role of people in the
development or use of computer software and hardware systems, including such issues as developer productivity,
teamwork, group dynamics, the psychology of programming, project management, organizational factors, human
interface design, and human-machine-interaction.
System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the computer system. System software is a
collection of operating systems; devise drivers, servers, windowing systems and utilities. System software helps an
application programmer in abstracting away from hardware, memory and other internal complexities of a
computer.
Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific tasks. Business software,
databases and educational software are some forms of application software. Different word processors, which are
dedicated for specialized tasks to be performed by the user, are other examples of application software.
Apart from these three basic types of software, there are some other well-known forms of computer software like
inventory management software, ERP, utility software, accounting software and others. Take a look at some of
them.
Inventory Management Software: This type of software helps an organization in tracking its goods and
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Information Sheet 1.1
materials on the basis of quality as well as quantity. Warehouse inventory management functions encompass the
internal warehouse movements and storage. Inventory software helps a company in organizing inventory and
optimizing the flow of goods in the organization, thus leading to an improved customer service.
Utility Software: Also known as service routine, utility software helps in the management of computer
hardware and application software. It performs a small range of tasks. Disk defragmenters, systems utilities and
virus scanners are some of the typical examples of utility software.
Data Backup and Recovery Software: An ideal data backup and recovery software provides functionalities
beyond simple copying of data files. This software often supports user needs of specifying what is to be backed up
and when. Backup and recovery software preserve the original organization of files and allow an easy retrieval of
the backed up data.
Output
To provide results to the individual using the computer system, each computer system must also have
output devices. An output device is anything that the computer system uses to communicate
information to the individual. Some output devices are monitors, speakers, printers, some joysticks,
braille screen readers, plotters, film printers, head-mounted displays, holographic displays and routers.
Some devices, such as touch-screen monitors, can be both input and and output devices.
Processing
One of the things that makes computers so powerful and useful to people today is their processing.
Thanks to processors, computer systems can execute many tasks much faster than humans. In home
personal computer systems, the processing is done by a part called the central processing unit, or CPU.
The higher the speed of your CPU, the faster your computer system will process information.
Storage
If your computer system could not store information, it would not be very useful. Today's home
computer systems come with numerous types of storage, both magnetic and electronic. All information
is stored as a combination of ones and zeros. Examples of magnetic storage devices are floppy disks and
hard drives. Examples of electronic storage devices are CD-ROMs, DVDs, memory sticks, flash cards in
cameras, USB drives and optical drives.
The Box
Inside the computer is a large board called a motherboard. This electronic circuit board acts as the
central location to connect all the different components to one another and helps them communicate
with one another. The box also serves as a place to plug in the various components of the computer
system.
Central processing unit (CPU) - The microprocessor "brain" of the computer system is called the
central processing unit. It's a chip that holds a complete computational engine. It uses assembly
language as its native language. Everything that a computer does is overseen by the CPU.
Memory - This is very fast storage used to hold data. It has to be fast because it connects directly to
the microprocessor. There are several specific types of memory in a computer:
Random-access memory (RAM) - Used to temporarily store information with which the
computer is currently working
Read-only memory (ROM) - A permanent type of memory storage used by the computer
for important data that doesn't change
Basic input/output system (BIOS) - A type of ROM that is used by the computer to
establish basic communication when the computer is first powered on
Caching - The storing of frequently used data in extremely fast RAM that connects directly to
the CPU
Virtual memory - Space on a hard disk used to temporarily store data and swap it in and
out of RAM as needed
Flash memory - a solid state storage device, Flash memory requires no moving parts and
retains data even after the computer powers off
Motherboard - This is the main circuit board to which all of the other internal components connect.
The CPU and memory are usually on the motherboard. Other systems may be found directly on the
motherboard or connected to it through a secondary connection. For example, a sound card can be built
into the motherboard or connected through an expansion slot.
Power supply - An electrical transformer regulates the electricity used by the computer.
Hard disk - This is large-capacity permanent storage used to hold information such as programs and
documents. Traditional hard drives contain moving parts -- the drive has platters on which it stores data.
The drive spins the platters to record and read data. But some newer hard drives are flash-based with no
moving parts. These drives are called solid-state drives.
Operating system - This is the basic software that allows the user to interface with the computer.
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) Controller - This is the primary interface for the hard
drive, CD-ROM and floppy disk drive.
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) - This is a very high-speed connection used by the graphics
card to interface with the computer.
Sound card - This is used by the computer to record and play audio by converting analog sound into
digital information and back again.
Graphics card - This translates image data from the computer into a format that can be displayed by
the monitor. Some graphics cards have their own powerful processing units (called a GPU -- graphics
processing unit). The GPU can handle operations that normally would require the CPU.
Ports - In computer hardware terms, a port is an interface that allows a computer to communicate
with peripheral equipment.
Real-time clock - Every PC has a clock containing a vibrating crystal. By referring to this clock, all the
components in a computer can synchronize properly.
Fans, heat sinks and cooling systems - The components in a computer generate heat. As heat
rises, performance can suffer. Cooling systems keep computers from overheating.