Unit 1 - Types and Components of Computer Systems Flashcards by Craig Banyard

What is the definition of hardware?

All the physical parts of a computer that you can see, touch and pick up.

External components of a computer such as a mouse or a keyboard

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Give 5 examples of types of hardware

Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Printer
Speakers
Web cam
CD-ROM
Memory stick
Hard disk
Processor

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What is the definition of software?

Coded programmes that control how the computer works.

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Give 5 examples of software.

System software e.g. Operating systems, disk cleaners, disk defragmenter, virus protection

Application software e.g. word processors, graphic editors, web design programmes, spreadsheet programmes, CAD, web browsers, computer games

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What is the difference between hardware and software?

Hardware is physical and software is part of the ICT system and cannot be physically touched, seen or picked up.

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What is the definition of a computer?

Computers are devices that accept information and then manipulate it to produce a result

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Give 3 examples of types of computers.

PC (personal computer),
Laptop,
PDA,
Mainframe,
Notebook,
Palmtop/tablet

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What are the main components of a general purpose computer?

CPU
ROM/RAM
Input devices
Output devices
Storage

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Give 3 examples of an Operating System

Windows
iOS
Android

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Give an example of a recent development in ICT.

Blockchain, Cloud Storage, Cloud Computing, eBooks

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what is a Motherboard

Circuit board that allows CPU, RAM and other hardware components to communicate with each other
All components plug into the motherboard

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What is a processor (CPU)

Brain of the computer

Controls what computer does + is responsible for performing calculations and data processing

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What is Internal memory (RAM and ROM)

Two types - RAM & ROM
- RAM and ROM are used to store computer data
- ‘Primary Storage’
• RAM: random access memory
• All programs and data in current use is stored on RAM
• RAM is usually larger than ROM
• Volatile memory: data lost when computer turned off
• ROM: read only memory
• Used to store permanent information
• Chips cannot be altered, only read from
• Non-volatile memory: data not lost when computer turned off

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What is a Graphics Card?

Plug into motherboard, enables computer to display images on monitor

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What is a Sound Card?

Plug into motherboard – allow computer system to produce sound + connect microphones

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What are Storage devices (secondary storage)?

Stores data that is not instantly used by the computer

What is an ‘operating system’?

A software program that manages computer resources.

Operating systems allow components to communicate with each other and enables the computer to run software applications.

What is a Command Line Interface (CLI)?

Older style operating system → users type in commands using keyboard.
Do not make use of images, icons or graphics. All the user is seen is a plain black screen like the one to the right.

Advantages and disadvantages of Command Line Interface (CLI)

Advantages:
If user knows correct commands then can be faster than any other type of interface
Uses less RAM
Does not use as much CPU processing time
Cheaper monitor can be used

Disadvantages:
Can be confusing for new users
Commands have to be typed precisely
If mistype an instruction, start from scratch
Large number of commands to be learned

What is a Graphical User Interface (GUI)?

very ‘friendly’ way for people to interact with computer → makes use of pictures, graphics and icons

Advantages and disadvantages of a Graphical User Interface

Advantages:
Easy to use for beginners
Don’t have to learn complicated commands
Reasonable ‘help’ system with interface

Disadvantages:
Take up larger amount of hard disk space
Need significantly more RAM to run
More processing power than other interfaces
Slow for experienced programmers

What is a desktop computer?

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or near a desk due to its size and power requirements.

Advantages and Disadvantages of desktop computer (PC)

Advantages:
Most websites are designed to be viewed using a desktop.

Desktops have larger keyboards than all other devices which makes it easier to type keywords into search engines

Desktop screens (monitors) are larger than other devices and give a better experience.

Desktops usually use wired internet connections which is more stable and reliable than Wi-Fi.

Disadvantages:

Desktop PC’s are not portable so you can only access them from the room they are setup in.

What is a laptop?

A laptop, laptop computer, is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and keyboard.

Advantages and disadvantages of a laptop

Advantages:
More portable than desktops so you can use them from more locations.

Larger screen than tablets and smartphones which makes reading and working easier.

Keyboards on laptops are larger than those of tablets/smartphones and are easier to type on.

Touchpads on a laptop mean that you can still navigate even if you aren’t working on a flat surface.

Disadvantages:
Less portable than tablets and smartphones.

Screens not as large as desktop PC’s.

Processors (CPU’s) in laptops are not quite as powerful as those in desktops.

What are tablets?

Tablets are small, hand-held, mobile computers that share a lot of the features of desktop PC’s and laptops.

Tablets use touchscreens instead of a mouse and keyboard to input commands.

They are often equipped with a range of sensors including microphones and cameras.

Advantages and disadvantages of tablets.

Advantages:

Smaller and lighter than desktops and laptops. This makes them more portable and much easier to carry.

Larger screen than smartphones which makes reading content easier.

On screen keyboards are larger than the smartphone versions and easier to use.

Disadvantages:

Larger and less portable than smartphones.

Use Wi-Fi to connect which is less reliable than a desktops wired connection.

Screens are smaller than desktop PC’s or laptops and content might not be displayed as well.

On-screen keyboards are not as easy to use as the physical keyboards found on desktop and laptops.

What is a smartphone?

Early mobile phones could only make voice calls and send text messages.

Modern smart phones (like iPhones) have much more functionality and can perform similar functions to desktop PC’s and laptops.

Advantages and disadvantages of smartphones

Advantages:

The smallest and most portable of all devices that can access the internet.

People are more likely to have a mobile phone with them wherever they go.

Much easier to access content while on the move than laptops or tablets.

Disadvantages:

Websites displayed on a smartphone are often not the full version of the site.

Small screen size can make viewing content difficult.

Very small keyboard can make it difficult to type in emails or documents.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is where users store their documents, programs and data on the Internet rather than on their own computers.

Examples of cloud computing?

Dropbox
Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive

Advantages of cloud computing

People don’t need to invest in their own IT hardware and staff.

Critical data is safe in dedicated data centres, with backups around the world.

Easy to expand they can simply rent more space as and when required.

Disadvantages of cloud computing?

Monthly costs, would have to work out whether this was more cost effective.

If you are working with large data then there might be an issue of downloading and uploading.

The need for stable connectivity to the internet to access your documents.

Advantages of e-books and online newspapers.

Storage benefits: Thousands of digital books can be stored on one computing device.

Paperless: Digital books do not need to be printed onto paper.

Instant access to your book or newspaper: They can be downloaded from the internet almost instantly.

Cheaper: eBooks and newspapers are generally less expensive than printed versions.

Disadvantages of e-books and newspapers

Health and safety: Reading on screens for long periods of time can lead to eye strain.

Piracy: eBooks are digital and so are very easy to copy and share.

Usability: They can be hard to search through to find specific pages.

High initial cost: Before you can read a eBook or newspaper you need a device which aren’t cheap.

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Unit 1 - Types and Components of Computer Systems Flashcards

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