Computer Hardware and Functionality

Motherboard

The motherboard allows different kinds of components to communicate to each other by using the motherboard itself. The motherboard contains CPU, ROM, memory Ram expansion slots, PCI slots and USB ports. It also includes controllers for devices like the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard and mouse. What the busses doing is to allow different types of components data to travel, which will made the computer of, in other words it is the one that houses all the components and turns into one “unit”.

The motherboard interconnects all the busses which allow data to travel. Each motherboard has a collection of chips and controllers known as the chipset. When new motherboards developed, they often use new chipsets. The good news is that these boards are typically more efficient and faster than their predecessors. The bad news is that older components often do not work with new chips.

The computer I/O panel

The I/O panel stands for Input and Output which contains jack for plugging peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, speakers, web cam and internet access cable. You will use keyboard and mouse for inputting information or to interact to your computer.  Then the computer uses monitor, speakers and printer to output the information and media to you.  

Graphics Card

Is graphics card for your computer. The function of the graphics card is to handle image rendering from your computer to the monitor. Depending on what type of graphics card that your computer has it will allow the user to have great performance and features such as high definition videos, better photo editing and 3D game play on a high quality texture.

Having a graphics card installed to your computer is a great advantage compared to computers that are using generic or built-in graphics card, the built-in graphics card and its graphical display quality is not good as the graphics card out at the market today.

Function

Graphics cards have different types of connectors for connecting to a computer's motherboard. A PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) connector appears on most modern computer graphics cards. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) connectors remain somewhat popular, but the latest computers no longer use this technology. Most graphics cards no longer use simple PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) connections, as PCIe allows a faster communication speed.

RAM

RAM is a type of computer memory accessed randomly during the hard drive. A computer’s RAM is considered “random” because any byte of memory can be accessed without processing previous bytes.

RAM is used to load and run programs or application on a computer’s operating system. The more the RAM the better would be the performance of your computer.

Better performance, processor looks for instruction in the RAM to execute its activities. 

Benefits of having more RAM on your computer is that you can open multiple programs and application without affecting your computer’s performance and if you find your system is slowing down due to multitasking but you have a good processor, the practical solution for this is to upgrade and put more RAM.

Upgrades

If you find that your computer is running slow, you might want to consider a RAM upgrade. Many computers only allow a maximum amount of RAM, so double check your computer’s specification before you purchase any new dual in-line memory modules (DIMMS). If you are buying a new computer, you should check to see if your computer will allow future upgrades. If a computer with four gigabytes of RAM is expandable to eight gigabytes of RAM, then you can always buy more RAM in the future.

Remember that DDR2 to DDR3 RAM. The type of RAM in your computer needs to remain the same. To change the type of RAM, you would need a new motherboard and an entirely new set of hardware configurations.

Central Processing Unit

Central Processing Unit or the CPU is a part of computer. The CPU’s job is to carry out software functions and instructions.

All computer programs have specific functions, purposes and goals. For example, Photoshop helps users to edit any image they want. Different software allows users to watch HD videos and play games to perform these tasks. Programs have a series of instructions in the form of codes or numbers.

 In order to translate instructions and run computer application, the CPU must perform four tasks. First, the CPU locates the set of instructions from the computer program. Then, the CPU decodes these instructions into parts. With this task, the CPU interprets what is necessary for the each operation. The different parts of the CPU are responsible for unique tasks.

Upgrading

You need to think about what is the reason of upgrading your processor, do you feel your computer is lagging when you run your most used applications, gaming or office work. It is really important to confirm compatibility with the frequency, voltage and stepping between the processor and motherboard. It is also important to verify if a BIOS update is necessary in order for your motherboard to support a faster or different process since older motherboards frequently do not have BIOS support for new processors.

Intel Core

Core processors are mid-range to high end computer processors. Intel first released this 32-bit processor in 2006 under the Core trademark. With the rising popularity of 64-bit processors, intel rebranded its Core brand with its 64-bit Core 2 processors. Intel’s Core Solo processors have two cores like the Core Duos; however, the Core Solos have only one active core. Some of the disabled cores may have manufacturing defects (which do not affect the performance of the computer since the CPU requires only one core).

Core 2 Solo processors are low-voltage and ideal for mobile laptops. Core 2 Duo processors have two active cores and are more powerful than Core 2 Solo processors. In 2010, Intel released a new line of processors. The new Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors correspond to entry level though high end CPUs. Intel's new processors come with Turbo Boost Technology, which allows the CPU to adapt to the user's immediate performance needs. The new Core processors enable long battery life through low-voltage and are available for ultra-thin laptops.

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

AMD produces the Athlon and Turion processors. Many laptops and desktops come with these processors which may be single core or dual core. Quad core and additional multi-core processors are also available. Traditionally, AMD processors have operated closely to Intel CPUs. In general, AMD processors are less expensive than their Intel counterparts.

Basic Input/Output System BIOS

BIOS chip is embedded on the motherboard. On computer system, a set of routines that test the hardware such as hard drive, graphics card, keyboard and monitor at startup, starts the operating system and supports the transfer of data between hardware devices at startup.

It is essential set of routines that sets up the hardware in a computer and boots the operating system. Prior to loading the operating system, the BIOS provides basic software drivers for all peripheral technologies that are part of the computer’s motherboard, including the keyboard, mouse, monitor and hard drive.

BIOS sets up the computer, the BIOS tests the system and prepares the computer for operation based on the installed hardware and the configuration settings from the manufacturer and user.  For example, it initializes memory and cashes and assigns resource to all devices that are connected to the PCI bus.

Hard drive

A hard drive enables the user to store data. Data can be easily retrieved and rewritten as required from the hard disk. The computer allows you to perform different task while reading and recording data from a hard disk. When compared to a flash drive or disk drive, a hard disk has a higher capacity to read and write data.

Hard disk comes in different sizes. You can choose the capacity depending on the amount of data that you want to save. Security is another important aspect of hard disk, the data that is written on the hard disk will not be deleted, unless it comes in contact with a large magnetic field, or it is destroyed physically. Hard disk is available in different physical sizes that match the dimension of the computer that you are working with. Some hard disk is manufactured with bundled software and helps files that let you troubleshoot errors and problems.

How it works

Hard disk contains nonmagnetic platters coated with thin layers of magnetic material and an actuator arm that reads data. These disk drives write data by magnetizing the ferromagnetic material with a directional orientation to represent 0s and 1s. The disks are read by recognizing the magnetization of the specific sector. When a file is accessed, a request is made to the hard disk and the actuator moves to the position of the data in the magnetic portion. The data read by the actuator is then sent to the controller’s card buffer and is processed by the motherboard, from where it is sent to the user. The whole data transfer process is completed within a few seconds.

Power Supply Unit

A power supply is a hardware component that supplies power to an electrical device. It receives power from an electrical outlet and converts the current from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current), which is what the computer requires. It also regulates the voltage to an adequate amount, which allows the computer to run smoothly without overheating. The power supplies an integral part of any computer and must function correctly for the rest of the components to work.

While most computers have internal power supplies, many electronic devices use external ones. For example, some monitors and external hard drives have power supplies that reside outside the main unit. These power supplies are connected directly to the cable that plugs into the wall. They often include another cable that connects the device to the power supply. Some power supplies, often called "AC adaptors," are connected directly to the plug (which can make them difficult to plug in where space is limited). Both of these designs allow the main device to be smaller or sleeker by moving the power supply outside the unit.

Since the power supply is the first place an electronic device receives electricity, it is also the most vulnerable to power surges and spikes. Therefore, power supplies are designed to handle fluctuations in electrical current and still provide a regulated or consistent power output. Some include fuses that will blow if the surge is too great, protecting the rest of the equipment. After all, it is much cheaper to replace a power supply than an entire computer. Still, it is wise to connect all electronics to a surge protector or UPS to keep them from being damaged by electrical surges.

Operating System

Operating Systems “OS” provide interfaces for computer hardware. Operating systems maintain, manage, and coordinate a computer's activities while acting as a host for various software applications. Because the OS commands hardware operations, individual software programs require less work to perform. As a result, it becomes easier to write computer programs. Older computers have embedded operating systems, and newer machines have standalone operating systems.

Operating systems are packaged with interfaces that allow users to interact with the computer. A command line interface (CLI) allows users to type commands, and a graphical user interface (GUI) allows for aesthetically pleasing interactions through pointing, clicking, and dragging objects. Most operating systems are packaged with aesthetically pleasing GUIs. Microsoft Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac OS are examples of popular operating systems

Microsoft Windows 7

Speed

Aside from incompatibilities and other issues that many people had with vista, one of the most straightforward was speed. It just felt too sluggish compared to XP, even on pumped up hardware. Windows 7 is more responsive and sprightly feel and Microsoft has spent a lot of time and effort getting the start Menu response just right.

Compatibility

In simple terms, compatibility on Windows 7 will be far better than it was with Vista. Many programs that individuals and companies used on Windows XP did not work immediately and required updates, but with Windows 7 almost all application that works on Vista should still run.

Lower hardware requirements

Vista gained a reputation for making even the beefiest hardware look rather ordinary. Windows 7, however, will run well on lower end hardware, making the transition from Window XP less painful.

Microsoft is even pushing Windows 7 for netbooks. This could provide a modern replacement for Windows XP, which has found a new lease of life as the OS of choice on netbooks, supplanting Linux. The downside is that Windows 7 Starter Edition, as it will be called, will be limited to only three applications running at the same time.

Search and Organisation

One of the best things about Windows 7 is the improved search tool, which now rivals Mac OS X’s Spotlight to be able to find what you need quickly and easily. For example, typing ‘mouse’ will bring up the mouse option within the control panel or typing a word will display it and split it up neatly into files, folders and applications.

Also introduced is the concept of Libraries, which takes the ‘My Documents’ concept a stage further. The various Libraries, such as Documents and Pictures, will watch multiple locations which you can add yourself, so you don’t have to keep everything in one place.

MAC Operating System

Mac OS X is specially designed for Macintosh computers and Apple devices. The latest version of the operating system has a revised desktop, redesigned dock with stacks, and semi transparent menu bar. Other elements include a finder, cover flow visual navigation interface, and support for writing 64 a bit GUI.

Finder offers features that are similar to iTunes 7 and has a source list sidebar and Cover Flow. Using the iCal feature, which is a calendar, you can sync event invitations, share calendars, and schedule group programs. For instant messaging, iChat is a popular feature that has multiple logins, animated icons, and chat tabs. The email client has enhancements like additional notes, stationary, RSS feeds, and to do lists. For network file sharing, you have more granular control over permissions. It also allows you to consolidate SMB, FTP, and AFP in a single control panel. Mac OS allow allows you to share individual folders.

Photobooth has real time filters, blue and green screen technologies, and video recording. Preview adds support for graphics, annotation, extraction, search, size adjustment, and markup tool. The time machine has an automated backup utility, which is capable of restoring replaced or deleted files.

Features

Mac OS X Leopard has an improved automator with starting points that allow for streamlined workflow. Back to My Mac is available for Mobile Me users and helps users access their computers remotely from any Internet connection. Boot Camp is software assistant that allows other operating systems to be installed and run on separate system partitions. Stacks are another feature that allows you to display files in grid, fan, and list styles so that you can access your files easily. Other user friendly features include Photobooth, iChat, iCal, Finder, and Dictionary.



Comparison between Windows 7 and MAC OS snow Leopard

Microsoft Windows 7	Mac OS X Snow Leopard
In Windows 7’s Windows File Preview you can hit the combination alt+P to see the contents of the file you are viewing	Mac’s Quick Look is useful for common document types, just select a file, tap the keyboard and there you g you are peering into the contents of a file.
Windows taskbar is pretty good and even useful, it lets you find any window in any app smoothly and instantly	Mac’s UI is mostly the same, you can easily drop files in whatever app window you want to.
Connecting new device to window based pc is 100times simple compare to a Mac	Apple company needs to take a quite a lot of effort to make it user friendly
Windows 7 takes a while to load the desktop screen and after it the windows 7 starts up with almost nothing	The Mac gives immediate access to your drives and applications while leaving the desktop open
Windows 7 integrates better, Windows 7 gadgets coexists with other onscreen application and windows	Mac gadgets take up the whole screen and disappear as soon as you open anything else
Windows 7 control panels open lots of windows, cluttering your screen fast.	Mac OS is simpler than the windows 7, application makes it easy to find, use and switch among control panels and keep everything organised
Windows 7 gives more control, when you’re in an app saving or opening a file, It’s easy to rename, add or do file-level work within the app in Windows 7	Mac OS, where you must close the dialog boxes and switch to finder for most actions
Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices. You can get to wireless networking with fewer than seventeen clicks and the networking UI makes more sense	The Mac OS doesn’t want to share
Windows 7 provides an uninstall utility of all the applications, for easy system management	The Mac OS has no facility compared to windows 7, and most apps don’t provide their own uninstallers, so it is easy to end up with lots of dead application files on your Mac