Basic Computer Components Unit 2

What is a computer?  A computer is an electronic device that accepts raw data and processes it into information that is useful.

Parts of a Desktop Computer

Parts of a Laptop Computer Monitor Keyboard Speakers Touchpad

Information Processing Cycle  The Cycle has four main functions: Input Processing Output Storage

Input  Devices used to enter data into the computer  Examples of Input devices Keyboard Mouse Scanner Joystick Microphone

Processing  A hardware device that processes data into useful form.  Also called CPU (Central Processing Unit) – This is the “brain” of the computer.

Output  A hardware device that lets the user see the data being input.  Examples of output devices Monitor Printer Speakers Headphones

Storage  A hardware device that stores large amounts of information.  Examples of storage devices. Hard Drive Flash Drive CD-ROMDisk

Combined Input & Output Devices  There are devices that are both input & output.  Examples Smartphones Tablets

Memory  Memory is where data and instructions are stored.  Two types of Memory RAM – (Random Access Memory) memory that is lost when the power is off. ROM – (Read-only memory) memory that is Not lost when power is off.

Bytes  A unit of measurement of memory  Four types of bytes Kilobyte – (KB) 1 thousand bytes Megabyte – (MB) 1 million bytes Gigabyte – (GB) 1 billion bytes Terabyte – (TB) 1 trillion bytes

Data  Numbers, words, symbols, or alphabetic characters that are put into the computer.

Hardware  Computer equipment that can be seen or touched.  Examples Keyboard Monitor printer

Software  Programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do.  Examples Microsoft PowerPoint MicroType Pro Video games