Working-With-Computer - (G8)

LESSON 2: WORKING WITH COMPUTER
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM (or International Business Machines), is
the original version of the IBM PC compatible computer design. It is IBM model number 5150 and
was introduced on August 12, 1981. It was created by a team of engineers and designers directed by
Don Estridge in Boca Raton, Florida.
As a result, it became easy for competitors to build "clones" (compatible imitations) and because of
this, its architecture quickly became the industry standard.
Computers in General
A computer can be defined as a programmable machine that accepts input data, performs
data processing, displays process results, and stores both data and results as needed. What makes
the computer truly versatile is the fact that it is programmable. This means that a single machine can
perform a variety of tasks depending on the kind of programming being used.
Four primary operations described what computers generally do:

• Input—enter data into the computer.
• Processing—perform operations on the data.
• Output—display the results.
• Storage—save the data, programs or output for future use.
In addition to these four primary operations, today's computers also network and communicate with
other computers by sending or retrieving data via the Internet, accessing information located in a
shared database, or exchanging emails. Therefore, communications, which is technically, an input
or output operation, is increasingly considered the fifth primary computer operation.
Desktop Computers
Desktop computers exemplify a complete computer system. In one

typical system, we will find all the components needed to perform the five
primary computer operations. The keyboard allows users to input data.
The system unit, with its CPU, processes the data into meaningful
results. The monitor displays the results and, if needed, a hard copy is
printed out by the printer. A hard disk found inside the system unit stores
the data and results for future use. A modem communicates with another
computer connected to the internet and through the network interface
card the system unit sends and receives data to another user.
In essence, every computer system will perform the same primary operations regardless of size,
shape, and capacity. Basically, they operate pretty much the same way as the early IBM PC did
except that the modern PCs now are smaller, faster, and more user-friendly than older models. There
may be changes in the horizon for the desktop computer with the increasing proliferation of portable
computers and mobile devices like netbooks, tablets, and smart phones. The desktop PC be an all-
in-one system where users perform all the primary operations of the computer.
Nowadays, it will be more convenient for users to view their photos (output operation) using an
Apple iPad rather than the monitor of their desktop PC. While in public places, it makes more sense
for users to connect to the Internet (communications operation) using their netbooks or mobile devices
like an Android phone rather than go to their desktop PC and check their emails from there.
Nevertheless, for heavy-duty jobs like editing a bunch of photographs with Adobe Photoshop,
nothing beats the desktop computer when it comes to processing power and capacity. Typing a report
(input operation) is faster and more accurate in a full-size keyboard than the small error-prone touch
screen keyboard of a tablet, and burning DVDs (storage operation) is probably only possible in a
desktop computer.
COMPUTER 8
Portable Computers
Laptop computers or notebook computers are increasingly

becoming desktop-replacement computers. Except for the power -
supply and the CPU, most of the components (or peripherals) of a
typical desktop computer system are still usable without modification
with a notebook computer. The mouse, printer and speakers will still
function the same way. Even a full-size keyboard can be connected to
a notebook computer, if needed. So, in essence, the notebook
computer will still perform the primary computer operations without
degrading too much in performance.
But of course, the notebook computer is better than the usual desktop computer in some ways.
And what truly differentiates a notebook computer from a desktop computer is its portability.
The essential components are combined in a single case which folds into a compact package
that will fit inside a knapsack or a shoulder bag. It also operates on batteries so users can use them
anywhere without plugging into an electric outlet for a certain period of time. And more importantly, it
boasts of features not ordinarily found in desktops like wireless networking which is a standard feature
in portable computers.
So, does the notebook computer (or any portable computer, for that matter) make the desktop
computer obsolete? Not necessarily. Why not? Because more powerful CPUs and ever larger RAM's
generated a lot of heat. So, in this sense, the desktop computer will always outperform portable
computers because it can accommodate more electronic components without the danger of
overheating. On the other hand, a notebook computer will always be limited by the amount of heat
that can be safely dissipated in such a small package.
In understanding the role of computers in our lives, it is best to see where desktop computers
and their more portable versions fit in a bigger system. Today, having a computer no longer mean
just having a desktop computer or a notebook computer. We should be aware of the truth behind the
insight: the network is the computer. This is what Sun Microsystems announced to the world at a
time when computer networks are just beginning to appear. We will discuss computer networks in
more detail in the last unit of this book.
For now, let us identify the other portable computers that perform similar functions as the desktop PC.
• Handheld computers, also called personal digital assistants (PDAs), are battery-powered
computers that are small enough to carry in our pocket. They are used primarily for scheduling
appointments, storing addresses and phone numbers. This used to be a separate category for
computers until smartphones came into the scene. Today, smartphones like the latest
Android phones from Samsung have become so
powerful that they have taken over the category of
handheld computers. So now, we don't have PDA's
anymore. We just have smartphones. And they are
today's handheld computers.
• Tablet PCs are mobile PCs that combine the features

of laptops and handhelds. But before the ascendancy of
smartphone makers, this category of computers used to
be closely related to notebook computers. Today, the
tablet PC has acquired a separate image for itself
especially with the success of the Apple iPad as well as competing Android devices like the
Samsung Galaxy Tab. So now, what we see and consider as tablet PCs no longer resemble
notebook computers. They are more related to smartphones. But nevertheless, because of
their design, smartphones and tablet PCs can be considered as personal computers.

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LESSON 2: WORKING WITH COMPUTER

Four primary operations described what computers generally do:

Desktop computers exemplify a complete computer system. In one

Laptop computers or notebook computers are increasingly

• Tablet PCs are mobile PCs that combine the features

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