Computer Literacy Essay Example for Free

Computer Literacy Essay A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data, process that data, produce results, and store the results for future use. Computers come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be found almost any and everywhere in the world, in the workplace and personal life. Using computers is a primary means of local and global communication. There are different categories of computers: personal, mobile, game consoles, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded computers. Each type has their own nique qualities and does different things. Personal computers are computers that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself. They contain a processor, memory, and one or more input, output, and storage devices. They also contain a communications device. Two different types of a personal computer are desktop and notebook computers. Desktop computers usually have a monitor, system unit, and keyboard which is designed to be placed under one desk. Notebook computers are personal computers that are portable and designed to fit on our lap. On a regular notebook computer, the keyboard is on top of the sytem unit, and the display is attached to the system unit with hinges. They have all the same qualities of a desktop computer Just compact into a thin lightweight size. Mobile devices are also a types of computers. Different types are smartphones, PDAs, E-book Readers, MP3 and digital cameras. They often use memory cards to store programs and data permanently. These mobile devices are Internet-enabled, connecting them to the world. Because of the size difference, mobile device screens are small. Smartphones hold different personal information management functions such as, address book, calculator, and notepad. These phones also allows you to send text, instant, picture, and video messages. All these types of computers are small sized and easy to carry around. Most are usually pocket sized and internet accessible. Servers, mainframes, super and embedded computers are not pocket sized and able to carry around. These types of computers are usually stationary and cannot be moved. Servers, control access to hardware and software. Personal are needed to access information off of a server. Unlike servers, mainframes do not need personal computers to access data. Mainframes has so much space that it stores huge amounts of data and information. Most big business and corporations use mainframes for many things. Mainframes carry out functions such as preparing payroll for employees and manage inventory. You can aslo access programs on a mainframe using a personal computer. Supercomputers are the fastest, most powerful and most expensive. These computers are needed for sophisticated athematical calculations. Calculations for things such as automotive design, weather forecasting, and aerospace use supercomputers. Embedded computers are used for functions in a larger product. They are located in things such as automobiles, consumer electronics and office machines. As we all know computers come in many shapes and sizes. They can be used for many different things and can be located anywhere. Technology has increased so much that the most unheard compact thing can be a computer.