HARDWARE and TYPES

of COMPUTER

Rafaela R. De Villa
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Camp Vicente Lim Integrated School
Hardware
 Physical electronic
devices
 Hardware functions
 Input
 Keyboard
 mouse
 Output data
 Monitor
 Printer
 Process data
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 Storage
Types of Computers

 Supercomputers

 Mainframe computers

 Minicomputers

 Microcomputers

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 Supercomputers
 Most powerful type of computer

 High data capacity

 Used by large organizations

 Play an important role in the field of computational science,

and are used for a wide range of computationally intensive

tasks in various fields, including quantum mechanics, weather

forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration,

molecular modeling (computing the structures and properties)

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 Supercomputers:
Advantages Disadvantages
 Solve bigger problems  Can be expensive
 Run more problems in  Takes up a lot of
shorter time space
 May save money  May only be good for
 Allows for virtual specific applications
testing  Does not replace
 Can be used for R&D physical testing
 Requires trained staff
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Mainframe Computers
 Capable of great processing speed

 Large data storage capacity

 Occupy large air-conditioned rooms

 are computers used primarily by large

organizations for critical applications; bulk data
processing, such as census, industry and consumer
statistics, enterprise resource planning; and
transaction processing

“Big Iron”
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
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Mainframe computer
ADVANTAGE(S) DISADVANTAGE(S)
 High response time  High skilled people
 Virtual machine  Not good GUI
 Better usage of  High cost
software and  Consumes more
hardware space
 Problem solving  Cooling system
 High security required
 High durability 9
Minicomputers
 Also known as midrange computers

 Desk-sized machines

 Developed in 1960s and sold for much less than

mainframe and mid-size computers from IBM and its
direct competitors.

 Usually used for specific purposes

 Controlling manufacturing processes

 Dedicated servers 10
 Mini Computer
Advantages Disadvantages
 Small and very  Can be too small to do certain
projects (such as work or
portable homework) on.
 light to carry  Generally there is not much
storage onboard
 Fits anywhere  Some do not have USB ports
 Easy to use  No cd/dvd disk drive
 Surprisingly fast  Keyboard can be small for fast
typists or those with large
 Holds a charge for a fingers.
long time  The operating system may not
be familiar or may be a cut
down version of a "normal" 11
operating system.
Microcomputers
 Is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a
microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU). It
includes a microprocessor, memory, and minimal
input/output (I/O) circuitry mounted on a single printed
circuit board.
 Least powerful but most popular
 Sizes range from desktop to handheld
 Includes:
 Desktop
 Laptop 12

 PDAs
Microcomputer Hardware

 Physical equipment
consist of
 System Unit
 I/O Devices
 Secondary Storage

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System Unit

 Contains most of the

electronic components
 Significant components
 Microprocessor
 Controls and
manipulates data
 Memory
 Holds data and
programs during
processing
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Input/Output Devices

 Translation devices that interface the computer

with humans
 Input devices
 Keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera
 Output devices
 Monitor, printer, speakers
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Secondary Storage Devices
 Store data and programs even after power
is shut off
 Most common types
 Floppy disks

 Hard disks

 Optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs)

 Magnetic tapes

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