Chapter 6 The System Unit

Chapter 6 The System Unit

l  Speed, capacity, and flexibility determine the power of microcomputers.

l  Knowledge of a computer’s power allows you to make good buying decisions and to determine if your current system will run new applications.

l  Competent end users need to understand the basic principles of how microcomputers are put together. These principles will be covered in this chapter.

System Unit Types

l  Desktop System Units

l  Media Center System Units

l  Notebook System Units

l  Tablet PC System Units

l  Handheld Computer

Electronic Data and Instructions

Two-state system or Binary System:

l  Off/on electrical states

l  Characters represented by 0s (off) and 1s (on)

l  Bits

l  Bytes

      

Character Coding Schemes

Three types of binary coding schemes

l  ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Exchange

l  EBCDIC - Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code

l  Unicode – handles languages with large numbers of characters

Microprocessor Chips

  A microprocessor incorporates most or all of the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC, or microchip).

Microprocessor Chips

•          Central Processing Unit (CPU)

•          Two Basic Components

–        Control unit

–        Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU)

•          Chip capacities are expressed in word sizes

•          Two Recent Significant Developments

–        64-bit processors

•          Have become standard for most of  today’s desktop and laptop computers

–        Multi-Core Chips

•          Can provide two separate and independent CPUs

•          Parallel processing

^Memory

^{•       Types of memory chips}

^l    Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order (that is, at random).

^l    Read-only memory, a type of storage media which is used in computers and other electronic devices.

^l    Flash memory is used for a wide  of range of applications, If changes are made to the computer system, these changes are reflected in flash memory

^{Expansion Slots and Cards}

^{•       Allow for new devices to
be added}

^{–      Open architecture}

^{–      Slots provide for expansion}

^{•       Expansion cards are
also called …}

^{–      Plug-in boards}

^{–      Controller cards}

^{–      Adapter cards}

^{–      Interface cards}

^{Power Supply}

^{•      Computers require direct current (DC)}

^{•      DC power provided by converting alternating current (AC) from wall outlets or batteries}

^{•      Desktop computers use power supply units}

^{•      Notebooks and handhelds use AC adapters}

^{A Look to the Future}

•          Wearable computers

•          Send and receive email while jogging

•          Maintain your personal schedule book

•          Remember the names of people at a party

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor - cite_note-0#cite_note-0}