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Lesson 1 - Basic Components of Your Computer

Computer Ancilliary Components

Both desktop and laptop computers are made up of the same basic components.

  1. A processing unit which does the computing.
  2. A keyboard to enter text.
  3. A display to show text and pictures.
  4. A pointing device such as a mouse.
  5. One or more storage devices such as disk drives.
  6. Speakers (or earphones).

In a desktop computer the processing unit and the storage devices along with other necessary components such as a power supply are contained within the main computer box. The keyboard, display unit, mouse and speakers are separate.

In a laptop computer all components are contained within the same case.

Data and Processing

A computer is used to process information or data. This data may be in various forms such as text, pictures, video clips or sound.

Before the data can be processed it must be entered into the computer.

Text Entered using the keyboard.
Pictures Entered by downloading them from a digital camera or from the Internet.
Video Clips Entered by downloading them from a digital or video camera or from the Internet.
Sound Entered using a microphone or other audio device connected to the computer

When the data is being processed and after it is processed it must be seen or heard.

Text Viewed on the display unit or printed on a printer.
Pictures Viewed on the display unit or printed on a printer.
Video Clips Viewed on the display unit.
Sound Listened to from the speakers or microphone connected to the computer.

© 2008 Doug van Vianen

 

 

 

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