Types and

components of
computer
systems
Information and
Communication Technology
(ICT)
Refers to the vast array of:
technologies, tools, and resources
used to:
create, store, share, and exchange
information and data.
(Difference between data and information)
ICT (continued)
It integrates:
computers,
the internet,
software, and
telecommunications
to enable users to:
communicate,
access, and
process
information efficiently across various platforms and
devices.
Key Components of ICT
 • Hardware:
This includes computers, mobile devices,
servers, networking equipment, and digital
cameras.
 • Software:
Applications, operating systems, enterprise
software, and middleware that enable
users to interact with hardware and data.
Key Components of ICT
(contd.)
 • Networks:
The internet, networks, and
telecommunication systems that facilitate
the transmission of data.
 • Telecommunications:
Technologies like telephony, satellite
communication, and video conferencing
that allow for real-time communication.
Key Components of ICT
(contd.)
 • Storage and Media:
Devices and systems for storing, retrieving,
and presenting information, such as cloud
storage, audio, and video players.
How ICT Works
ICT encompasses a broad range of
functions, including:
• Capture and Processing: Collecting and
processing data using various tools.
• Storage and Retrieval: Storing large
volumes of data in databases and
retrieving it when needed.
• Transmission and Distribution: Sending and
receiving information over networks and
telecommunications channels.
• Presentation and Display: Presenting
information in formats that are understandable
to users, such as screens and reports.
• Management and Security: Organizing,
managing, and protecting information and
data.
Application areas of ICT
 Communication: Emails, social media,
video conferencing, and mobile phones.
 Education: Online learning platforms,
digital learning tools, and access to vast
educational resources.
Application areas of ICT
(contd.)
 Business: E-commerce, digital marketing,
big data analytics, and cloud
computing.
 Digital finance: online banking, mobile
wallets
 Entertainment: Digital broadcasting,
podcasts, and online media.
1. a. hardware devices,
definition and purpose
 Hardware is a general term for the physical
components that make up a computer
system.
1.a. i. internal hardware
 Internal is a term used to describe a
device that is installed within the
computer casing. For example, a video
card is an internal device and a printer is
an external device.
 Internal hardware devices include
processor, motherboards, random access
memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),
video cards, sound cards and internal
hard disk drives.
1.a. i. the central processing
unit
The central processing unit is a part of the computer
which interprets and
executes the commands
from the computer
hardware and software.
1.a. i. the motherboard
 A motherboard is a printed circuit
board containing the principal
components of a computer or other
device, with connectors for other circuit
boards to be slotted into.
1.a. i. random access memory
 Random access memory is an internal
chip where data are temporarily stored
while running applications. This memory
can be written to and read from.
1.a. i. read-only memory
 Read only memory is a memory used to store
information that needs to be permanent. It is often
used to contain, for example, configuration data for
a computer system.
1.a. i. the video card
 A video card connects to the motherboard of a computer
system and generates output images to display. Video
cards are also referred to as graphics cards. Video cards
include a processing unit, memory, a cooling mechanism
and connections to a display device.
1.a. i. the sound card
 Most of your music collection is probably in digital
format, either on CDs or as files on your computer. In
order to be able to listen to your music, a sound card
converts digital data to analog sound waves you can
hear. The output signal is then connected to a
headphone or set of speakers.
X
1.a. i. internal hard disk
 The internal hard disk is the computer’s main
storage. This is where the application software,
disc operating system and data files are stored.
1.a. ii. Peripheral devices
 A peripheral device is generally defined
as any auxiliary device that connects to
and works with the computer in some
way. Examples of peripherals are mouse,
keyboards, scanners, microphones,
loudspeakers, webcams, and digital
cameras. (images ahead)
A scanner
A webcam
A digital camera
A microphone
1.a. iii. Input devices
 An input device is a peripheral (piece of
computer hardware equipment) used to
provide data and control signals to an
information processing system such as a
computer. Examples : keyboards, mouse,
scanners, web cameras and joysticks.
A joystick
1.a. iv. Output devices
 An output device is any device used to
send data from a computer to another
device or user. Most computer
data output that is meant for humans is in
the form of audio or video. Thus,
most output devices used by humans are
in these categories. Examples include
monitors, projectors, speakers,
headphones and printers. (images
ahead)
LCD (liquid crystal display)
monitors (LED light emitting
diode)
CRT (cathode ray tube)
monitors
projectors
headphones
printers
1.a. v. storage devices
 A storage device is any computing
hardware that is used for storing, and
extracting data files and objects. It can
hold and store information both
temporarily and permanently, and can
be internal or external to a computer.
 Examples include external hard disks,
portable flash drives, CDs, and DVDs.
External hard disk
Portable flash drive
CDs and DVDs
1. b. i. software types,
definition and purpose
 Software is the general term for the
programs that control the computer
system. (intangible)
 There are two types of software:
1. System software
2. Application software
1. b. ii. System software
 System software is a type of computer
program that is designed to run a
computer’s hardware and application
programs. For example: compilers, linkers,
device drivers and operating systems.
1. b. ii. Compiler
A compiler is a computer program (or a
set of programs) that transforms source
code written in a programming language
into a language the computer
understands (the object code).
1. b. ii. Linker

Linker is a program used with a compiler or

assembler to provide links to the libraries
needed for an executable program.
1. b. ii. Device driver
A device driver is a program that controls a
particular type of device that is attached to
your computer. There are device drivers for
printers, displays, CD-ROM readers, diskette
drives, and so on. When you buy an
operating system, many device drivers are
built into the product. (BUILT-IN)
1. b. ii. Operating system
Operating system is the low-level software
that supports a computer's basic functions,
such as scheduling tasks and controlling
peripherals.
1. b. iii. application software
 An application is any program, or a group
of programs, that is designed for the end
user (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet,
database management systems, photo-
editing software, and video-editing
software).
1. b. iii. application software
 A word processing software is the one that performs
the task of composition, editing, formatting, printing
of documents.
A spreadsheet is an electronic document in which
data are arranged in the rows and columns of a grid
and can be manipulated and used in calculations.
A database management system (DBMS) is
application software for creating and managing
databases. The DBMS provides users and
programmers with a systematic way to create,
retrieve, update and manage data.
MS Word
MS Excel (spreadsheet)
MS access (Database
management system)
1. b. iii. application software
An photo-editing software (image editor or photo
editor) is a software program used to edit or
otherwise manipulate an image, picture or other
graphic. One of the most popular and powerful
image editors is Adobe Photoshop.
Video editing software is the software that
facilitates the process of editing segments of
motion video production footage, special effects
and sound recordings in the post-production
process.
Photo-editing software
Video editing software
1. c. types of computer
 personal/desktop computer; used as a
standalone or networked computer
 laptop computer; used as a standalone or
networked computer
 tablet computer and its ability to use
wireless technology or 3G/4G technology
 smartphone
 describe the uses, advantages and
disadvantages of each type of computer
Standalone and networked
computers
A standalone computer is a self-sufficient
system. There is no connection to any
other computer. For various tasks such as
writing a memo or creating a
spreadsheet, the software applications
installed on the standalone’s hard drive
are used. The standalone may also have
a printer, scanner, or external hard drive
attached to its CPU to print or scan a
document, or implement a backup
system.
Usefulness of a standalone
system
An advantage of a standalone computer
system is that it is more secure than computers
that are part of a network. A standalone
lessens and eliminates the concern that
hackers, spyware, or viruses can compromise
confidential information by accessing it.
Usefulness of a standalone
system
The major disadvantage of not being part of a
network is not being able to accomplish any
tasks that require an internet connection such
as e-mail, browsing the internet or sharing files
with other users – anything that is not locally
stored on the computer’s hard drive.
A standalone system
Networked computer
A networked computer is a computer that connects to one
or more computers for the main purpose of communicating.

The advantage of a networked computer is that it shares

resources such as software applications (application server),
printers (print server), disk drives (backup server) and data
files (file server) with the other networked computers.

A disadvantage of being a network computer is the

possibility of becoming a victim of computer hackers, viruses
or spyware. With the possibility of a real threat, it would be in
your best interest to install a virus protection software.

Although, a standalone computer system has certain security

advantages compared to a network computer, it is not very
effective in today’s world of technology. Data
communication and networking are the way of the world,
requiring the need to create a highway of data through a
network computer.
Networked computers
1. c. Types of Computer
1. Personal computer (PC)
A personal computer is a small, relatively
inexpensive computer designed for an
individual user. In price, personal computers
range anywhere from a few hundred dollars
to thousands of dollars. All are based on the
microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one
chip.
A personal computer
1. c. ii.
2. A laptop, often called a notebook, or notebook
computer, is a portable personal computer with a
"clamshell" form factor, with a keyboard on the lower
part of the "clamshell" and a thin LCD/LED computer
screen on the upper portion, which is opened up to use
the computer. Laptops are folded shut for
transportation, and thus are suitable for mobile use.
Although originally there was a distinction between
laptops and notebooks, the former being bigger and
heavier than the latter, as of 2014, there is often no
longer any difference. Laptops are commonly used in a
variety of settings, such as at work, in education, and for
personal multimedia and home computer use.
A laptop
1. c. iii.
3. A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a
mobile computer with a touchscreen display, circuitry,
and battery in a single device. Tablets come equipped
with sensors, including cameras, a microphone, and an
accelerometer, and the touchscreen display uses the
recognition of finger or stylus gestures replacing the
usage of the mouse and keyboard. They usually feature
on-screen, pop-up virtual keyboards for typing. Tablets
may have physical buttons for basic features such as
speaker volume and power, and ports for network
communications and battery charging. Tablets are
typically larger than smartphones or personal digital
assistants with screens 7 inches (18 cm) or larger,
measured diagonally.
A tablet
1. c. iii.
All tablets can connect to the internet via wi-
fi, but some models also let you use 3G or 4G
mobile internet connections. These let you surf
the web and check your emails over a mobile
network while out and about. If you have
wireless internet in your house, or if you use a
public wi-fi hotspot, you can browse the
internet on your tablet using wi-fi. But when
you aren't connected to wi-fi, 3G or 4G
internet can step into the breach if the tablet
supports them. The downside is the added
cost of mobile internet data.
1. c. iv.
4. Smartphones are distinguished from traditional
feature phones by the way they integrate new
and emerging technologies into mobile devices.
While feature phones focus on basic features such
as voice calls and text messaging, the smartphone
market includes the basics but adds many extras,
including mobile apps, screen quality, multimedia
capability, wireless communication and hardware
sensors. The technology found in smartphones is
constantly evolving and redefining the mobile
device market.
A smartphone
1. d. emerging technologies
 Learn how emerging technologies are
having an impact on everyday life (e.g.
artificial intelligence, biometrics, vision
enhancement, robotics, quantum
cryptography, computer-assisted
translation, 3D and holographic imaging,
virtual reality)
1. d. i. artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the theory and
development of computer systems that
are able to perform tasks normally
requiring human intelligence, such as
visual perception, speech recognition,
decision-making, and translation between
languages.
Artificial intelligence
1. d. ii. biometrics
Biometrics is the measurement and statistical
analysis of people's physical and behavioral
characteristics. The technology is mainly used for
identification and access control, or for identifying
individuals that are under surveillance. (The term
"biometrics" is derived from the Greek words "bio"
meaning life and "metric" meaning to measure.)
Biometrics-iris scanning
Biometrics-Facial scanning
Biometrics-Fingertip scanning
1. d. iii. robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that
deals with the design, construction,
operation, and application of robots.
robotics
1. d. iv. CAT
Computer-assisted translation, computer-
aided translation or CAT is a form of
language translation in which a human
translator uses computer software to
support and facilitate the translation
process.
CAT
1. d. v. 3D computer graphics
 3D computer graphics (in contrast to 2D
computer graphics) are graphics that use
a three-dimensional representation of
geometric data (often Cartesian) that is
stored in the computer for the purposes of
performing calculations and rendering 2D
images.
3D computer graphics
1. d. vi. Virtual reality
Virtual reality is the computer-generated
simulation of a three-dimensional image
or environment that can be interacted
with in a seemingly real or physical way
by a person using special electronic
equipment, such as a helmet with a
screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Virtual reality