1 Computer hardware A EA) inpairs, discuss these questions. 1 Have you got a computer at home, school or work? What kind is it? 2. How often do you use it? What do you use it for? 3 What are the main components and features of your computer system? B In pairs, label the elements of this computer system. C Read these advertising slogans and say which computer element each pair refers to. Point and click | Displays your ideas) Its quiet and fast Power and speed { G@hereforpowen | Gywith pertectbriliance f @ | othe inside Obeyseveryimpulse | it’s easy to ‘ee the difference—sharp ¢ u Let your computer's asfitwerean extension — imagesandafantastic | _Dackupyourdata |r. the work your han 5) range of colours © Pobre ite {® .. a big impact on the ) Production of text and graphics {Just what you need: |. alaser powerhouse }® D Find words in the slogans with the following meanings. 1 to press the mouse button 2 3 4 5 clear; easy to see to make an extra copy of something selection shows2 Whatisa computer? A Read the text and then explain Fig. 1 in your own words. MEA Ri) eee A computer is an electronic machine which can accept data in a certain form, process the data, and give the results of the processing in a specified format as, information. First, data is fed into the computer's memory. Then, when the program is sun, the computer performs a set of instructions and processes the data. Finally, we can see the results (the output) on the screen or in printed form (see Fig. 1 below). A.computer system consists of two parts: hardware and software. Hardware is any electronic or mechanical part you can see or touch. Software is a set of instructions, called a program, which tells the computer what to do. There are three basic hardware sections: the central processing unit (CPU), main memory and peripherals. Pethaps the most influential component is the central processing unit. Its function is to execute program instructions and coordinate the activities ofall the other units. In a way, itis the ‘brain’ of the computer The main memory (a collection of RAM chips) holds the instructions and data which are being processed by ne CPU. Peripherals are the physical units attached to the computer. They include storage devices and input/ output devices. Storage devices (hard drives, OVD drives or flash drives) provide a permanent storage of both data and programs. Disk drives are used to read and write data on disks Input devices enable data to go into the computer’ memory. The most common input devices are the mouse and the keyboard. Output devices enable usto extract the finished product from the system. For example, the computer shows the output on the ‘monitor or prints the results onto paper by means of a printer. On the rear panel of the computer there are several ports into which we can plug a wide range of peripherals ~ a modem, a digital camera, a scanner, etc They allow communication between the computer and the devices. Modern desktop PCs have USB ports and memory card readers on the front panel. AUSBport AUSB connector Input Data is collected and entered | Expenses (e.g. payroll, services, publicity) (eg.sales, stocks, interest) Processsing Data is manipulated it Storage Files and programs are held on disk aie an Output The results are shown on the monitor ot in print formB Match these words from the text (1-9) with the correct meanings (a-i). 1 software athe brain of the computer 2. peripherals, b_ physical parts that make up a computer system 3 main memory ¢ programs which can be used on a particular 4 hard drive (also known as hard disk) computer system 5 hardware d_ the information which is presented to the computer 6 input @ results produced by a computer 7 ports f input devices attached to the CPU 8 output section that holds programs and data while they are 9 central processing unit (CPU) Sretuted or picessed h_ magnetic device used to store information i sockets into which connected external device may be Different types of computer A Listen to an extract from an ICT class. As you listen, label the pictures (a—e) with words from the box. laptop _desktop PC PDA mainframe tablet PC d e B &§ Listen again and decide whether these sentences are true or false. Correct the false ones. ‘A mainframe computer is less powerful than a PC ‘A mainframe is used by large organizations that need to process enormous amounts of data. The most suitable computers for home use are desktop PCs. A laptop is not portable, Laptops are not as powerful as desktop PCs. Using a stylus, you can write directly onto the screen of a tablet PC A Personal Digital Assistant is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand. PDA does not allow you to surf the Web. BNankwWnNoLanguage work: classifying A Look at the HELP box and then use suitable classifying expressions to complete these sentences. 1 Acomputer hardware and software. 2 Peripherals three types: input, output and storage devices. 3 Aword processing program software which lets the user create and edit text 4 of network architecture: peer-to-peer, where all computers have the same capabilities, and client-server (eg, the internet), where servers store and distribute data, and clients access this data B [] inpairs, describe this diagram, using classifying expressions from the HELP box. Make reference to your own devices. Input devices ‘Output devices Storage media + mouse + monitor + magnetic, + keyboard + printer eg. hard drive + camera + optical,e.g. DVD + Flash memory, €9. pen drive Benefits of laptops and tablet PCs [3 Your school is considering buying tablet PCs to use in the classroom. Write an email to your teacher explaining the benefits for the students and the school. or : Your company is considering replacing all of the office PCs with laptops. Writean email to your boss explaining the benefits for the employees and the company.