UNIT 2.

COMPUTER CONCEPTS
Objectives:
1. Differentiate among laptops, tablets, desktops, and servers.
2. Describe the purpose and uses of smartphones, digital cameras, portable and digital
media players, e-book readers, wearable devices, and game devices.
3. Describe the relationship between data and information.
4. Briefly explain the various input, output and storage options.

Computers
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instruction stored in
its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules,
produce information (output), and store the information for future use. Computers contain
many electric, electronic and mechanical components known as hardware.
Electronic components in computer process data using instructions, which are steps
that tell the computer how to perform a particular task. A collection of related instruction
organized for a common purpose is referred to as software or a program. Using software,
you can complete a variety of activities, such as search for information, type a paper, balance
a budget, create a presentation, or play a game.

Category of Computer
1. Personal Computer (PC) - is a computer that performs all of its input, processing, output,
and storage activities by itself and is intended to be used by one person at a time. Most
personal computers today also can communicate with other computers and devices.
Examples: Desktop, laptops and tablets (second two also called mobile computers)
Mobile Computer
Mobile Computer is a portable personal computer, designed so that a user can carry
it from place to place. A user is anyone who interacts with a computer of mobile device, or
utilizes the information it generates.
a. Laptop – also called a notebook computer, is a thin, lightweight mobile computer
with a screen in its lid and a keyboard in its base (shown in figure 2) and was designed to fit
on your lap and for easy transport, most of laptops weight up to 7 pounds.
b. Tablets- smaller than laptop but larger than a phone, a
thin, lighter-weight mobile computer that has a touch screen. A
popular style of tablet is the slate, which does not contain a physical
keyboard (Figure 3).
Like laptops, tablet run on batteries or a power supply or
both; however, batteries a tablet last longer than those in laptops.

Desktop and All-in-Ones

A desktop, or a desktop computer, is a personal computer
design to be a stationary location, where all of its components fit on
Figure 1. All in one computer
or under a desk or table. On many desktops, the screen is house in
the display device (or simple display) that is separate from a tower, which is a case that
contains the processing circuitry.
Another type of desktop called an all-in-one does not contain a tower and instead uses
the same case to house the display and the processing circuitry (Figure 1). Some desktop
and all-in-ones have displays that support touch.

2. Servers
A server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more services to
the computers or devices on a network. A network is a collection of
computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly. Services
provided by server include storing content and controlling ac cess to
hardware, software, and other resources on a network. A server can support
from two to several thousand connected computers and devices at the same
time. Servers are available in variety of sizes and types for both small and Figure 2.
large business applications (Figure 2). Smaller applications such as at Processor of
Server
home, sometimes use a high-end desktop as a server. Larger corporate,
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government, and web applications use powerful, expensive servers to support their daily
operations.
ACTIVITY 1:
Using 1- 4 words, describe the category computers listed below.
Laptop Tablet Desktop Server
Ex: A notebook smaller than Fit on a desk Dedicated
computer laptop computer

3. Mobile and Game Devices

A mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand. Because of
their reduce size, the screens on mobile devices are small-often between 3 and 5 inches.
Some mobile devices at internet capable, meaning that they can connect to the
Internet wirelessly. You often can exchange information between the Internet and a mobile
device or between a computer or network and a mobile device. Popular types of mobile
devices are smart phones, digital cameras, portable and digital media players, e-book
readers, and wearable devices.
a. Smartphone – is an Internet-capable phone that usually also includes a calendar, an
address book, a calculator, a notepad, games, and several other apps (which are
programs on the smart-phone).
b. Digital Camera- is a device that allows you to take photos and store the photograph
images digitally. A smart digital camera also can communicate wirelessly with other
devices and include apps similar to those on a smartphone. Many mobile computers and
devices, such as tablets and smartphones, include at least one integrated digital camera.
4. Portable and Digital Media Players
A portable media player is a mobile device on which you can store, organize, and play
or view digital media. Digital media includes music, photos, and videos. Thus, portable media
players enable you listen to music, view photos, and watch videos, movies, and television
shows.
5. E-Book Readers- or electronic book reader,
or e-reader, is a mobile device that is used
primarily for reading e-books. An e-book, or
digital books, is an electronic version of a printed
book, readable on computers and other digital
devices.
Figure 3. Activity Tracker and Smart Watch
6. Wearable Devices
A wearable device or wearable is a small, mobile computing consumer device
designed to be worn (Figure 3). These devices often communicate with a mobile device or
computer. Two popular wearable devices are activity trackers and smart watches. Activity
trackers monitor heart rate, measure pulse, count steps, and track sleep patterns.
7. Gaming Devices
A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer
video games. Gamers often connect the game console to a television so that they can view
their game-play on the television’s screen (Figure 4). Many
game console models are Internet capable and also allow
you to listen to music and watch movies or view photos.
Typically weighing between three and eleven pounds, the
compact size of game consoles makes them easy to use at
home, in the car, in a hotel, or nay location that has an
electrical outlet and a television screen.
ACTIVITY 2
Enumerate the different mobile and gaming devices.
Using your own understanding, describe its function. Figure 4. Game consoles
Mobile and Functions often connect to a television
gaming devices
1. Smart Watch  Function1
 Function2
Data and Information

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 Computers process data (input) into information (output) and often store the data and
resulting information for future use. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can
include text, numbers, images, audio, and video, Information conveys meaning to users. Both
business and home users can make well-informed decisions because they have instant
access to information from anywhere in the world.
Many daily activities either involve the use of or depend on information form a
computer. For example, computers process several data items to print information in the form
of cash register receipt. Below are the processes in printing of receipts:
Step 1. Cashiers scans or enters items purchased and the amount received (inputs) from the
customer. These items are entered into the computer as data.
Example of data
2 Medium Sodas 15 each
1 Small Chippy 12 each
1 Can Biscuit 300 each
Amount Paid 500 Pesos

Step 2: The computer receives the entered data, stores it, processes the data into information
(the receipt), and stores the resulting information.
Storage and Processes
 Stores entered data
 Computers each item’s total price by multiplying the quantity ordered by item
price(i.e. 2 *15 =30)
 Organizes data.
 Sums all item prices to determine order total due from customer(P 342.00)
 Calculates change due to customer by subtracting the
order total from amount received (500-342=158).
 Store resulting information
Step 3:
The resulting information (the cash register receipt) is printed
for customer (output).

INPUT DEVICES
1. Keyboard- contains keys you press to enter data and instructions
into computer or mobile device as shown in Figure 5. Its keys contain
letter from the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks and other basic
keys.
2. Pointing Device- a pointing
device is an input device that
allows a user to control a pointer.

A pointer is a small symbol on

screen and use as a controller.
There are two common pointing Figure 5: Different keyboard variant
devices.
a. Mouse - is a pointing device that fits under palm of your hand comfortably.
b. Touchpad- a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to pressure and
motion.
3. Voice and Video Input - This device enables user to speak data instructions using voice
input and to broadcast live full-motion images using video input. Video call is also enabled
using web camera and microphone.
a. Microphone is an input device that enables you to speak into computers and
mobile devices. Many of mobile devices and computers contain built-in microphones.
b. Webcam is a digital video (DV) camera that allows user to capture video and
usually audio input for your computer or mobile device.
4. Scanner- is a light-sensing input device that converts printed text and images into a form
the computer can process.

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OUTPUT DEVICES
Users have various output options to convey text, graphics, audio, and video-many
of which involve using an output device. An output device is any hardware component that
conveys information from a computer or mobile device to one or more people.
The following are common output methods.
1. Printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on a physical medium, such as
paper or other material.
3D Printer can print solid objects, such as clothing, prosthetics, eyewear, implants, toys,
parts, prototypes, and more. 3-D (three-dimensional) printers may use a variety of
substances, including plastic, nylon, wood, bronze, and copper to print the layers that create
3-D model.
2. Displays is an output device that visually conveys text, graphics, and video information.
Displays consist of a screen and the components that produce the information on the screen.
Smart TV is an Internet-capable high-definition television (HDTV) on which you can
use the Internet to watch video, listen to the radio, play games, and communicate with others
- all while watching a television show.

MASS AND STORAGE

Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be
executed and the data needed by those instructions. Some forms of memory are permanent
and most of it keeps data and instruction temporarily, which means its contents are erased
when the computer is shut off.
Storage- holds data, instructions, and information for future use. For example
computers can store hundred or millions of students names and addresses permanently. A
computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media
A storage device records (write) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage
media. Storage devices often also functions as a source of input and output because they
transfer items from storage to memory and vice versa.
Drives and readers/writers, which are types of storage
devices, accept a specific kind of storage media. For example, a
DVD drive (storage device) accepts DVD (storage media).
1. Hard Disks – a storage device that contains one or more
inflexible, circular platter that uses magnetic particles to store
data, instruction, and information.
2. Solid-State Drives –a storage device that typically uses flash
memory tools store data, instructions, and information. Flash
memory contains no moving parts making it more durable and
shock resistant that other types of media.
3. External hard drive is a separate, portable, freestanding Figure 6. An external hard drive
hard disk or SSD that usually connects to the computer with a
cable (Figure 6).
4. USB Flash Drives – a portable flash memory storage device that you plug in a USB port,
which is a special, easily accessible opening on a computer or mobile device.
5. Memory Cards – removable flash memory, usually no bigger than 1.5 inches in height or
width, that your insert in and remove from slot in a computer, mobile device, card
reader/writer.
6. Optical Discs – a type of storage media that consist of flat, round, portable metal disc
made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written and read by a laser. CDs (Compact Disc)
and DVDs (digital versatile discs are two types of optical discs.
7. Cloud Storage- an Internet service that provides remote storage to computers users.
Examples of cloud storage are Google Drive, Dropbox and JustCloud.
Type of services offered by cloud storage providers vary. Some provide storage for
specific types of media, such as photos, whereas others store any content and provide back-
up service.
Backup – a duplicate of content and provide of content on a storage medium that you can
use in case the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.

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MICROPROCESSOR
The microprocessor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the primary component of a
computer that processes instructions. It runs the operating system and applications,
constantly receiving input from the user or active software programs. It processes the data
and produces output, which may store by an application or displayed on the screen.
Today, the most common CPU has at least two processors or "processing cores." A
CPU with two processing cores is called a dual-core CPU and models with four cores are
called quad-core CPUs. High-end CPUs may have six (hexa-core) or even eight (octo-core)
processors. A computer may also have more than one CPU, which each has multiple cores.
For example, a server with two hexa-core CPUs has a total of 12 processors.
The CPU Contains:
1. CU-Control Unit
2. ALU-Arithmetic Logic Unit
The control unit is the component
of the processor that directs and
coordinates most of the operations in the
computer.
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
performs arithmetic (+, x, -, /),
comparison or logic (=, <,> !=), and other
operations.
The CPU processes data and
instructions and communicate with other
Figure 7. Computer Components and CPU Interaction
components such as input, output,
storages devices and the memory as shown in Figure 7.

ACTIVITY 3:
Luckily, you won in a lottery and you wanted to buy an expensive personal computer.
What are the best input, output and storage devices for your computer? Why you choose
these devices?

References:
Christensson, Per. "CPU Definition." TechTerms. Sharpened Productions, 11 July
2014. Web. 30 September 2020. <https://techterms.com/definition/cpu>.
Vermaat, M et al., Discovering Computers 2016: Tools, Apps, Devices, and the Impact
of Technology. Cengage Learning. 2016
Williams, Brian K. and Sawyer, Stacey C. Using Information Technology: A Practical
Introduction to Computers & Communication, Complete Version. International Edition.
McGraw Hill. 2012