Escuela San Gabriel Colegio de San Gabriel

de Arcangel Foundation, Inc. Arcangel of Caloocan

Phase 10, Package 6, Block 1, Lots 1-5, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City

GRADE 11 / 12 BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONS

Module 2: The Computer Components

Types of Computers
A computer’s size, speed, price and processing power are basis for classifying
computers.

1. Supercomputers – Supercomputers are the fastest computers in the world. They

have very high processing capacity speed of calculation and are able to perform multiple
tasks. Some applications of supercomputers are for weather forecasting, climate
change, molecular modeling, quantum physics, nuclear weapons simulation and many
other military and scientific research requiring super-fast and high volume of data
calculations. Supercomputers occupy large spaces and emit high energy and therefore
one of the challenges of running them is keeping them cool.
2. Mainframe Computers – They are used by large corporations and organizations for
bulk data processing such as bank transactions, consumer statistics and large
databases. They are less powerful than the supercomputers but are still capable of great
processing speeds, multi-tasking capability and high data storage. Major users of
mainframes are banks which they use to process information of depositors’ transactions
including ATMs (Automated Teller Machine), making it possible to bank “on line”.
3. Servers Computers – Server computers are used as the main computers in a
network serving and connected to several other computers. They have the capability to
handle multiple requests for data and other processing tasks. Server computers may be
set aside for a specific application such ass running a web server for an organization’s
web site. Servers do not necessarily have a terminal (monitor, keyboard and mouse) and
in big applications are stacked together and placed in cabinets or special rooms.
4. Personal Computers – A personal computer designed to be operated by an
individual whose size, price and capabilities are determined by the usual application the
person uses it for.
Types of Personal Computers
A. Desktop Computers – A desktop computer is a personal computer (PC) in set-up
wherein it is located in one desk or table location as opposed to the portable computers
that the user can carry wherever he wants to do his personal computing.
B. Laptop Computer – A laptop or notebook computer is a small personal computer
whose components, display, keyboard, pointing device, CPU and rechargeable battery
are packed together in one single portable unit intended for mobile use.

C. Tablet PC – A tablet PC is a notebook equipped with a touchscreen which allows the

user to operate the computer using a digital pen or stylus. Fingertip may also be used. A
keyboard or a mouse will not even be needed. Tablet PC offers flexibility and
functionality which st andard notebook cannot give but these gadgets usually come at a
high price.

D. Portable Computer
 A pocket PC is a handheld or pocket size computer running on Microsoft
Windows Pocket PC edition with all the features of a modern desktop PC. Pocket
PCs may have mobile phone features.
 PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is a handheld computer also called palmtop
computers. Modern PDAs have phone capabilities, web browsers, internet
capabilities, music and video. Touch screen is a standard feature on most PDAs.
Sale of PDAs are on the decline, smart phones have replaced them.
 A smart phone is a mobile phone with additional capabilities such as email and
internet, keyboard, personal organizer, built-in camera, touch screen, ability to
read PDF and Microsoft documents, music, photo and video viewing.
Input Devices
Input devices are the ways for people to interact with the computer. Input devices allow
the user to input data and commands into the computer
1. Mouse – acts as a pointing device the user uses to choose and open programs and
data files. The mouse is represented on the monitor usually by an arrow called the
mouse pointer.
Types of Mouse
a. Mechanical Mouse
b. Optical Mouse
c. Laser Mouse
d. Wireless Mouse or cordless mouse
2. Keyboard – coverts numbers, letters and other characters to signals that the
computer can understand. Each keyboard key represents a character which when
pressed will be sent to the computer either as an input data or command.

3. Scanner – is a computer input that scans and copies the images and text on a piece
of paper and then coverts them into digital signal that the computer can store and
process.
4. Barcode reader or scanner – is an electronic device designed to read barcodes. It is
commonly used in groceries and department stores to store prices and other information
about a product.
5. Credit card reader – is used to scan credit cards for information to process a
purchase transaction in stores. It is normally connected to a telephone line and a power
supply. Credit cards are “swiped” here to obtain authorization and approval of a sale
from a central computer.

6. Digitalizing Tablet or graphic tablet – is an electronic device that allows one to draw
images by hand. It has a pen and a pad where one can draw just like drawing on the
paper but the image goes into the CPU and into the monitor screen.

7. Web camera or webcam – is an input device that functions just like a digital camera
or a video camera. It allows you to place images and video into the computer. The web
camera is usually used in conjunction with an internet communication application that
can incorporate both audio and video, so that you can see the person or people you are
talking to.
8. Microphone – is a voice and sound input into the computer. The microphone allows
the user to speak and the computer will accept and record your voice into the computer.
The computer can then process your voice in many ways, an example would be to mix
your voice with musical instruments recorded in the computer as if you sang with a band.

9. Joystick – is a pointing input device like the mouse. It is a control device that pivots
around to move in any direction. This device is usually used in video games that involve
aircraft, boat, spacecraft, train and motorcycle controls.

10. Game pad or joy pad is a handheld game controller for computer games. It has
buttons which control actions on the screen. Control usually includes firing a weapon,
moving from one direction to another and other controls.

Output Devices
Output devices are hardware devices that displays or present information to the user or
other people.
1. Monitor – is a visual display device to present information in the form of text, graphics
or video on the monitor screen. There are two kinds of monitor; the flat panel or LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) monitor and the older CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) models.

2. Printer – the printer is a computer output device that produces a permanent copy on
paper of information from the computer. There are several kinds of printers, the most
common are ink jet, dot-matrix and laser jet printers.
3. Speaker – is an output device for sounds. Music, audio from movies and computer
alerts are heard from this device.
4. Headphone – is a small speaker provided with a means to hold them close to the
ears of the user. The headphone allows the user to listen to music and sounds by
him/herself.

5. Data projector – is an output device that displays computer information on a big

screen so that many will be able to see the show. Data projectors are used in
classrooms. Teachers will be able to present the lesson to the whole class.

Input / Output Peripherals

These are computer peripherals that function as input and output devices.
1. Modem (Modulator-Demodulator)
2. Headset
3. Touch screen

ACTIVITY 1:

Answer the following questions. 5-10 sentences

1. What is the difference between Supercomputer to Servers Computer?

2. Explain the similarities of Mainframe computer and Personal computer.

3. What is a computer hardware? Give 5 other examples of computer hardware that is

not mention in the module.

4. What is a computer software? Give 5 examples of computer software that is not

mention in the module.

5. What is input devices?

6. What is output devices?

ACTIVITY 2: Identify the following input and output devices.

_____1. A close relative of the trackball mouse, whose ball is located at the center and
is controlled by the index finger.
_____2. This is a display that can sense the incidence and position of a touch within the
screen area.
_____3. A pointing device that is used to select programs or files.
_____4. It is used to type letters and numbers into the computer.
_____5. It is used to copy images and text and transfer it to the computer.
_____6. This is a device that has a microphone and a headphone.
_____7. An electronic device that is used to read bar codes.
_____8. An electronic device that is used to read credit cards.
_____9. An electronic device that is used to draw images by hand using a digital pen.
_____10. It is used to place pictures or video and audio into the computer like a camera
or camrecorder.
_____11. It is used to input voices and sounds into the computer.
_____12. A pointing device with a control device that pivots around and moves in any
direction.
_____13. A handheld game controller for computer games.
_____14. A visual display to present output information on the screen like a television
(TV).
_____15. It produces a printed copy of the information from the computer.
ACTIVITY 3: Identify the following software described
_____1. This is a program designed to detect, identify and remove computer viruses and
other malicious software.
_____2. A program that teaches a certain skill.
_____3. A program that supports a particular hobby or personal entertainment.
_____4. A program that allows you to create and modify letters and other documents.
_____5. A program that allows a computer user to get in touch with other people.
_____6. A program used to design and create web pages.
_____7. A program that allows you to computer and organize data in rows and columns.
_____8. A program that includes an address book, calendar of appointments and notes.
_____9. A program that is used to convey information, ideas, message or products.
_____10. A program to organize data and information for you to retrieve and access it
easily.

ACTIVITY 4:
Answer the following questions. 5-10 sentences
1. What is the difference between Supercomputer to Servers Computer?

2. Explain the similarities of Mainframe computer and Personal computer.

3. What is a computer hardware? Give 5 other examples of computer hardware that is

not mention in the module.

4. What is a computer software? Give 5 examples of computer software that is not

mention in the module.

5. What is input devices?

6. What is output devices?

Activity 5: Identify the following.
_____1. It produces sound and music from the computer which everybody hear.
_____2. It allows you to hear music all by yourself. It can be placed in your ears or on
your head.
_____3. Displays computer information on a big screen.
_____4. A kind of printer that prints on large paper such as drawings of houses, cars or
airplanes.
_____5. A printer that produces high quality prints or graphics on paper.
_____6. A program used for drawing, coloring and editing of pictures and other types of
images.
_____7. A program to create, modify, enhance, add, remove segments of a video file.
_____8. A program used for designing and drawing homes, buildings, cars and
machineries.
_____9. A software that provides information to people.
_____10. Programs behind the scene and without user intervention in most situations
perform other tasks such as loading and running programs.