Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

SUBJECT: ICT

CLASS:  SS 1

DATE:

TERM: 1st TERM

 
WEEK NINE

TOPIC: COMPUTING DEVICES II (20th Century to Date)

Reference book: Hiit @ School, Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Education.

CONTENT

LAPTOP AND NOTEBOOKS

A laptop computer also called a notebook computer is a small personal computer designed for portability. Usually all of the interface hardware needed to operate the laptop, such as USB ports, graphics card, sound channel, etc., is built in to  a single unit. Laptops contain high capacity batteries that can power the device for extensive periods of time, enhancing portability. Once the battery charge is depleted, it will have to be recharged through a power outlet. In the interest of saving power, weight and space, they usually share RAM with video channel, slowing their performance compared to an equivalent desktop machine.

One more drawback of laptop is sometimes, due to the size and configuration of component, relatively little can be done to upgrade the overall computer from its original design. Internal upgrades are either not manufacturer recommended, it can damage the laptp if done with poor care or knowledge, or in some cases impossible, making the desktop PC more modular. Some internal upgrades, such as memory, hard disks upgrades are often easy, a display or keyboard upgrade is usually impossible.

NOTEBOOKS

Notebooks are a subtype of notebook computers with most of the features of a standard laptop computer but smaller. They are larger than hand-held computers, and usually run full versions of desktop/laptop operating systems. Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPC) are usually considered sub-notebooks or Tablet PCs.

PALM TOP COMPUTER  

This is a small computer that fits in the palm. Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are limited but they are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars. Palmtops that use a pen rather than a keyboard for input are often called hand-held computers or PDAs., because of their small sizes, most palmtop computers do not include disk drives. However, many certain PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slots in which you can insert disk drives, modems, memory, and other devices. 

CONCLUSION

Different devices finally gave birth to the design of the computer system i.e. from Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine and Analytical Engine to UNIVAC which is the first commercial computer.

EVALUATION

READING ASSIGNMENT: HiiT @ School, Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Education. Chapter Four, pages 12-13.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Explain briefly the following:        i)      Palmtop       ii)        Laptop     iii) Notebooks

OBJECTIVE

1. The first electronic digital machine was ____ a) Abacus   (b) ENIAC   (c) EDVAC
2. ENIAC used _____ vacuum tubes. a) 18,000 b) 18,800 c) 81,800
3. How many people teamed up to make EDVAC? a) 3 b) 2 c) 4 

4.___ is commonly accepted as the first successful high-speed electronic digital computer. 

1. a) UNIVAC (b) ENIAC   (c) EDVAC
2. The following are the professors who built ENIAC except a) John Mauchly b) J. Presper  

    Eckert c) John Von Neumann

THEORY

Explain briefly the following:        i)      Palmtop       ii)        Laptop     iii) Notebooks