© 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 1A Computers and Their Uses.

© 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1AChapter 1A

Computers and Their UsesComputers and Their Uses


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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

1.11.1 Define computer, and distinguish between Define computer, and distinguish between analog and digital computer designsanalog and digital computer designs

1.21.2 Identify the main types of single-user and multi-Identify the main types of single-user and multi-user computersuser computers

1.31.3 Discuss how computers have shaped our current Discuss how computers have shaped our current worldworld


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What Is a Computer? What Is a Computer? • A A computercomputer is a machine that accepts some kind of is a machine that accepts some kind of

information, performs actions and calculations information, performs actions and calculations according to a set of instructions, and returns the according to a set of instructions, and returns the results of its calculations.results of its calculations.

• Categories of Computer Design: Analog vs. DigitalCategories of Computer Design: Analog vs. Digital


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Single-User ComputersSingle-User Computers• Most computers, known as Most computers, known as personal computers personal computers or or

microcomputersmicrocomputers, are meant to be used by one , are meant to be used by one person at a timeperson at a time

• Types:Types:– Desktop computersDesktop computers– WorkstationsWorkstations– Notebook computersNotebook computers– Tablet computersTablet computers– Handheld personal computersHandheld personal computers


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Desktop ComputersDesktop Computers• Sit on or under a desk Sit on or under a desk

or table.or table.• Most common type of Most common type of

personal computerpersonal computer• Powerful and versatile Powerful and versatile • Main component is the Main component is the

system unitsystem unit• Not easily portableNot easily portable


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WorkstationsWorkstations• SpecializedSpecialized• More power and More power and

features than a features than a standard PCstandard PC

• Popular among Popular among scientists, engineers, scientists, engineers, animators animators

• Accelerated graphics-Accelerated graphics-handling capabilitieshandling capabilities


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Notebook ComputersNotebook Computers• Also known as Also known as laptopslaptops• Clamshell designClamshell design• Portable Portable

microcomputersmicrocomputers• Docking stationDocking station for for

hook-upshook-ups• NetbooksNetbooks offer offer

compact size and low compact size and low priceprice

• Category: Category: Mobile Mobile computerscomputers


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Tablet ComputersTablet Computers• Portable, full-featuredPortable, full-featured• Input from Input from stylusstylus or or

fingersfingers• On-screen keyboard On-screen keyboard • Voice inputVoice input• Recent popularityRecent popularity

– iPadiPad– Android tabletsAndroid tablets


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Handheld Personal ComputersHandheld Personal Computers• Small sizeSmall size• Limited processing Limited processing

powerpower• Personal Digital Personal Digital

Assistants (PDAs) Assistants (PDAs) • Colorful displaysColorful displays• Finger touches and Finger touches and

swipes for inputswipes for input• Smart phonesSmart phones = cell = cell

phones + PDAphones + PDA• Vast selection of Vast selection of

programsprograms


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Multi-User ComputersMulti-User Computers• The largest organizational computers support The largest organizational computers support

thousands of individual users at the same time, with thousands of individual users at the same time, with some working from thousands of miles away. They some working from thousands of miles away. They may be devoted to a single purpose or a wide variety may be devoted to a single purpose or a wide variety of tasks. of tasks.

• Types:Types:– Network serversNetwork servers– Mainframe computersMainframe computers– MinicomputersMinicomputers– SupercomputersSupercomputers


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Network ServersNetwork Servers• Primary computer in a Primary computer in a

networknetwork• Special software and Special software and

equipmentequipment• Can be linked to other Can be linked to other

serversservers• ClustersClusters / / server farmsserver farms::

Large groups of serversLarge groups of servers– BladeBlade: thin unit housed : thin unit housed

in a rackin a rack


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Mainframe ComputersMainframe Computers• Large, powerful systemsLarge, powerful systems• Access via a Access via a terminalterminal or or

a PCa PC– Dumb terminal = Dumb terminal =

input/output deviceinput/output device– Intelligent terminal = Intelligent terminal =

some processingsome processing• Thousands of users at a Thousands of users at a

timetime• Limited to certain types Limited to certain types

of tasksof tasks


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MinicomputersMinicomputers• Often called Often called midrange midrange

computerscomputers• Capabilities: between a Capabilities: between a

mainframe and a PCmainframe and a PC• Up to hundreds of users Up to hundreds of users

at a timeat a time• Access via a terminal or Access via a terminal or

PCPC


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SupercomputersSupercomputers• The most powerful computersThe most powerful computers• Very largeVery large• Up to two quadrillion (10Up to two quadrillion (101515) calculations per second) calculations per second• Link together hundreds of thousands of processorsLink together hundreds of thousands of processors• Handle large and highly complex problemsHandle large and highly complex problems


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Why Computers Are ImportantWhy Computers Are Important• Change how we work Change how we work

and liveand live• Provide ready access to Provide ready access to

informationinformation• Create some kinds of Create some kinds of

new informationnew information


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Where Computers Are UsedWhere Computers Are Used• HomesHomes

– CommunicationCommunication– Work-related tasksWork-related tasks– SchoolworkSchoolwork– EntertainmentEntertainment– CreativityCreativity– FinancesFinances

• Education/schoolsEducation/schools– Classes and degreesClasses and degrees– Computer applicationsComputer applications– Distance learningDistance learning


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Where Computers Are UsedWhere Computers Are Used• Businesses (small and large)Businesses (small and large)

– Accounting and inventory managementAccounting and inventory management– Stay in touch with customersStay in touch with customers– Computer-aided design and manufacturingComputer-aided design and manufacturing– Manage shipping routes and schedules Manage shipping routes and schedules – Process-control systemsProcess-control systems

• GovernmentsGovernments– U.S. Census BureauU.S. Census Bureau– Internal Revenue ServiceInternal Revenue Service– Military usesMilitary uses– PolicePolice


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Where Computers Are UsedWhere Computers Are Used• Health Care ProvidersHealth Care Providers

– Delivery of health care: Delivery of health care: more efficient and more efficient and accurateaccurate

– Procedures: MRI, Procedures: MRI, ultrasound, laser surgeryultrasound, laser surgery

– Robotic surgical devicesRobotic surgical devices– Medical recordsMedical records


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Where Computers Are UsedWhere Computers Are Used• Green ComputingGreen Computing

– Minimize wasteMinimize waste– Power-efficient Power-efficient

hardwarehardware– Working from home to Working from home to

reduce pollutionreduce pollution• Social CommunicationSocial Communication

– Instant access to other Instant access to other people people

– Share location and Share location and thoughtsthoughts

© 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 1A Computers and Their Uses.

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Transcript of © 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 1A Computers and Their Uses.