GE ELEC 3

Living in the IT Era

Course Introduction and Expectation Settings
Hello, students! Welcome to your course in GE ELEC 3. PLEASE MAKE
SURE TO READ ALL OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS MODULE FIRST IN
ORDER TO HAVE THE WHOLE PERSPECTIVE OF HOW THIS COURSE WILL
GO THROUGH.
This course provides knowledge on science, culture of information
technology, its influence on modern living and human relationships, and uses for
personal, professional, and social advancements.
Living in the IT era is a lecture-based subjects that provides a deeper
understanding of Information Technology in the contemporary world. It tackles
the nature of computers, networks, and the technicalities that every end user
must be familiar with. Given our transition to the new normal set-up in learning,
please take note that YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON STUDYING
INDEPENDENTLY AND YOUR LEARNING IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY.
Rest assured that I, as your Instructor, will provide as much assistance and
considerations as probable, through the course of this semester.

Vision
Tarlac State University is envisioned to be a premier university in the Asia
–Pacific region.
Mission
Tarlac State University commits to promote and sustain the offering of
quality and relevant programs in higher and advanced education ensuring
equitable access to education for people empowerment, professional
development, and global competitiveness. Towards this end, TSU shall:
1. Provide high quality instruction through qualified, competent and adequately
trained faculty members and support staff.
2. Be a premier research institution by enhancing research undertakings in the
fields of technology and sciences and strengthening collaboration with local and
international institutions.
3. Be a champion in community development by strengthening partnership with
public and private organizations and individuals.
Tarlac State University’s core values are:

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E – xcellence
Q - uality
U - nity
I - ntegrity
T - rust in God, Transparency & True Commitment
Y - earning for Global Competitiveness

College Goal
The College of Arts and Social Sciences aims to produce well-rounded
individuals who are well equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills in the
languages, social sciences and philosophy and competent in their field of
specialization so that they will become globally competitive professionals and
leaders, and productive citizens of the country.
College Objectives
1. To function as a service college in the Arts, Language, Social Sciences, and
Philosophy.
2. To develop capable professionals in Psychology who will meet the needs of
the educational, industrial, and clinical settings.
3. To produce graduates who will offer professional expertise in the
Communication Arts and who will be responsive to the challenges brought by the
fast-changing environment.
4. To train socially responsible community developers who will act as catalysts of
change in the community that they will be serving.
5. To hone the scientific skills as well as equip the students with critical thinking
in the conduct of research and imbue in them the value of voluntary service to
the community through extension.

Course Description
This course provides knowledge on science, culture of information
technology, its influence on modern living and human relationships, and uses for
personal, professional, and social advancements.
Course Outline
This course is structured to comprise large learning blocks which we refer
to as Chapters. Each Chapter is further comprised of a series of sub-learning
blocks which we refer to as Topic. This course has six (6) Chapters comprising of
twenty-four (24) Topics. For your better understanding of the chapters and topics,
you can refer to this overview:

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Chapter 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Introduction
WEEK 1-3
Concepts of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and
Information Technology (IT)
Computers as powerful thinking machine
Categories of Computer Peripherals
Chapter 2: Computers in Our Daily Life
Types
WEEK 4 - 5 of Networks
- Wired Connection
- Wireless Connection
Common Network Problems

Chapter 3: The Internet and the World Wide Web


WEEKOrigin
6 - 8 of the Internet and Evolution
 Online Culture
 Post Truth Era
 Effective Use of the Internet
- Techniques in Search refinement
*****WEEK 9- MIDTERM EXAMINATION******
Chapter 4: Information, Control & Privacy
Intellectual
WEEK 10 -12 Property Code of the Philippines
Data Privacy Act of 2012
Issues on the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and in the Data
Privacy Act of 2012
Cybercrime Protection Act
Writ of Habeas Data in reference to the case of Vivares vs. St. Therese
Chapter 5: Information Technology, Culture and Society
The
WEEK Internet of Things
13 -14
The Influence of IT on culture and social behavior
The Netizens
Netiquette
Negative Practices in Social Media
Values and ethics in the online world
Chapter 6: IT Trends, Issues and Challenges
IT application in various fields:
- Banking
WEEK 15 -17
- Education
- Health
- Business
Maximizing the Benefits of IT
Digital Divide
Paradox of Progress

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 *****WEEK 18- FINAL TERM EXAMINATION******

As this semester has a duration of eighteen (18) weeks. Any adjustments on the
schedule or changes regarding the requirements will be communicated to you
accordingly.
The requirements that you must comply in order to evaluate your completion of
this course are the following:

Guidelines on Requirements
For the Online Discussion Forum, please adhere to the following guidelines:

 Address in an informed and well considered manner the given discussion

topic or question. The discussion topic or question will be found in the
“Learning Activities” section of each module.
 Write clearly, following the conventions of written English or Filipino. Use
the language you are most comfortable with. Do not use abbreviations
and acronyms unless these are introduced in the readings, and do not
write in textspeak.
 Do not post lengthy contributions, do not beat around the bush. Your post
should be short yet concise. When you agree or disagree on something,
please explain clearly why.
 Respond to one or two posts by other co-learners in a courteous and
constructive way. Be polite or civil when arguing a point. Do not be rude
and do not make remarks that may be construed as a personal attack.
Refer to ideas/statements, not the person. Avoid jokes or humorous
statements in text that may be misunderstood by your classmates and
ask only questions that sincerely interest you.
For all the Assignments/Outputs, please use the following format:

 Use 8.5 x 11 inches paper, 1-inch margins maximum.

 Choose Font Type Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial, size 11, 1.5 line
spacing.
 Use APA Format for references and citations.
 Choose Black ink only.
The university upholds the value of integrity; therefore, your commitment to
academic integrity is fundamental in completing this course. Cheating in any form
will not tolerated and offenders will be dealt with accordingly. YOU NEED TO
COMPLY TO THIS HONOR CODE AS THE UNIVERSITY’S STANDARDS OF
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY.

 You commit that your outputs to requirements and answers to exams

must be your own work (except for those which required collaboration as
instructed and permitted by your Instructor.)

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  You commit that you will not share any solutions or answers to
requirements and exams with anyone.
 You commit that you will not engage in any other activities that will
dishonestly improve your results or dishonestly improve or damage the
results of others.
 You commit that your work will not be in any form of plagiarism – copying
words, ideas, or any other materials from another source without giving
credit.
Reference: Coursera Honor Code (n. d.). Retrieved from
https://learner.coursera.help/hc/en-us/articles/209818863-Coursera-Honor-Code
Your work shall be rated at the end of each term in accordance with the Grading
System documented in the Tarlac State University Student Manual.

1.0 – Excellent
1.25-1.5 – Very Good
1.75-2.0 – Good
2.25-2.5 – Satisfactory
3.75-3.0 – Passing
4.0 – Conditional Failure
5.0 – Failing
INC. – Incomplete
Class Management
This course will be delivered using two modalities: (1) Online Class and (2) Self-
learning Modules. You are assigned to either one of these modalities based on
the available and accessible resources that you have. Kindly take note of the
following reminders in the management of these class modalities.
1. Online Class
 Microsoft Teams will be used as the primary platform thus, you are
advised to download and install the application. Go to office.com and
login using your @student.tsu.edu.ph account. Choose Teams from
the list of applications, from there your enrolled subjects will appear.
Scheduled class discussions through video conferencing, will be
hosted and posted here.
 Facebook Messenger Group Chat will also be used as the
supplementary platform for communication. Ask your class
representative to add you in the Group Chat.
2. Self-learning Modules

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 TSU in partnership with your Local Government Unit (LGU) placed a
Distribution and Retrieval System of modules, references and other
documents hence, you are encouraged to check on this set-up with
your Barangay/LGU officials.
 Text messages will also be accommodated as the supplementary
platform for communication. Check on my contact information below
for reference.

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 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

The emergence of ICT is one of the wonderful gifts of modern science

and technology which has brought tremendous changes in library and
information science. Application of information and communication technology
(ICT) to library and information work has revolutionized the traditional concept of
libraries from a “Storehouse of books to an intellectual information center”
connoting the concept of an electronic library. It has opened up a new chapter in
library communication and facilitated global access to information crossing the
geographical limitations.
ICT is being increasingly used in library and information services for
acquisition, processing, and dissemination of information. Libraries have been
using ICT based services to satisfy the diverse information needs of the users.
The use of ICT has become increasingly important in special libraries as it is
switching over to ICT based resources and services at an accelerated pace. The
use of computers for library operation avoids respectively jobs and saves a
considerable amount of time, resources and labor. It also speeds up technical
processing and information services.
The impact of ICT is enormous and global in its magnitude,
pervasiveness and usefulness because of its most distinguishing features of a
dramatic decrease in cost, size and tremendous increase in processing speed,
storage and communication capabilities. ICT has a profound effect on the
progress and development of human civilization. The tools used in ICT include
computer programs, databases, communication networks, analysis and design
methods programming languages, artificial intelligence, knowledge bases, etc.
ICT has long-standing influence in almost all areas of human activity.

TOPIC 2: Common Concepts of ICT and IT

`Information and Communication Technology’ (ICT) first appeared in the
mid-1980s and was defined as “All kinds of electronic systems used for
broadcasting telecommunications and mediated communications”, with examples
including personal computers, video games, cell phones, internet, and electronic
payment systems and computer S/W etc. The ICT is made of computer and
communication technology. The computer technology is the tool for storing and
processing information in digital form while communication technology helps us
to transfer and disseminate digital information.
Additionally, ICT means a variety of technological applications in the
process and communication of information. The word ICT is a combination of two
words information, communication & technology. Information means knowledge
and technology means the use of computer & communication. The term ICT can

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be defined as “the integration of computing, networking, and information
processing technologies and their applications”
Thus, ICT means a combination of computer applications’ and
communication technology for gathering, processing, storing and disseminating
of Information.
Information Communication Technology is a common term referring to the
technologies used for collecting, storing, editing and communicating information
in various formats. ICT means the use of computer-based technology and the
Internet to make information and communication services available in a wide
range of users. ICT Isa Hardware and Software that enable society to create,
collect, consolidate and communicate information in a multimedia format and for
various purposes. The term ICT includes any communication device or
application, encompassing, radio, TV, cellular phones, computers and network,
hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various
services and application associated with them. ICT is playing a vital role in the
current and future development of society and nation. ICT has affected all
spheres of life and also the library. Information and communication technology
(ICT) is a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate
and to create, disseminate, store and manage information.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are often associated
with the most sophisticated and expensive computer-based technologies. ICTs
are basically information-handling tools- a varied set of goods, applications and
services that are used to produce, store, process, distribute and exchange
information. ICT-Information and Communication Technology is a varied
collection technological gear and resources which are made use of to
communicate. They make use of to generate, distribute, collect & administer
information. According to Anyakoha (1991), information technology is “the use of
manmade tools for the collection, generation, communication, recording, re-
management and exploitation of information. It includes those applications and
commodities, by which information is transferred, recorded, edited, stored,
manipulated or disseminated”. ICT is a mean that has changed many aspects of
the way we live.
ICT includes the computer hardware, software, application of
telecommunication technologies, projection devices, Local Area Network (LAN),
Wide Area Network (WAN), digital cameras, Compact Disks (CDs), Digital Video
Disks (DVDs), cell phones, satellites, and fiber optics. Digital Technologies is not
a single technology. It is combinations of two or more technologies in that
system. Some of this new ICT & digital technology are as follows:
 Multimedia PCs, Laptop, Notebook
– Combination of Internet connectivity with PCs and laptops
 Digital camera / video
– connected with PCs and laptop
  LAN & WAN
– Internet and Intranet
 WWW (World Wide Web)

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 – Internet
– Online Databases
– Video conferences
– E-mail, discussion lists and newsgroup and chat
– Digital Libraries
– E-books / E-journals/ E-databases
 Floppies, CDs and DVDs
– Offline databases
 Cell Phones
– With Internet connection, digital camera and moving pictures
 E-books / E-journals/ E-databases
 Computer-mediated conferences
– Video conferencing
– Telemedicine
 Virtual reality
 Telecommunication satellites
 Interactive TV and Radio

Definition of ICT:
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may be defined as the
convergence of electronics, computing, and telecommunications. It has
unleashed a tidal wave of technological innovation in the collecting, storing,
processing, transmission, and presentation of information that has not only
transformed the information technology sector itself into a highly dynamic and
expanding field of activity- creating new markets and generating new investment,
income and jobs but also provided other sectors with more rapid and efficient
mechanisms for responding to shifts in demand patterns and changes in
international comparative advantage, through more efficient production
processes and new and improved products and services.
Today, the definition of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
is much broader, encompassing nearly every type of business. From
manufactures, retailers, banks, and publishers to research firms, medical
institutions, law enforcement agencies, government companies and library
everywhere rely on Information and Communication Technology workers to run
their daily businesses.
Dictionaries consistently define ICT means: managing a network of
computers, creating original web pages, producing videos digitally, designing
computer systems as a consultant, selling products on the Internet, 3-D artwork,
administering a company’s database, coding software, providing technical
support, managing projects, and budgets, writing technical documentation.
ICT is combinations of Information Technology and Communication Technology.
What is Information Technology (IT)?
Information Technology is defined in the Oxford Advanced Dictionary as
“the study use of electronic equipment, especially computers for storing out
information”.

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What is Communication Technology (CT)?
Communication Technology is the process of sending, receiving and
exchanging information through network systems with the help of IT & CT. Any
information can be exchanged from anywhere and anytime without any borders.
This information exchange is possible through LAN, expanding and connecting to
other networks globally.
According to the Encyclopedia of Computer Science, “Information
Communication Technology (ICT) is an imprecise term frequently applied to
broad areas of activities and technologies associated with the use of computers
and communications”.
According to Mahaptra and Ramesh ICT, as “Information Communication
Technology is the result of the technological convergence of existing single
isolated technologies viz, computer technology, communication technology,
information processing, publishing technology etc.”
According to UNESCO “ICT is a scientific, technological and engineering
discipline and management techniques used in handling information and
application and association with social, economical and cultural matters”.
Nwachukwu (2004), Information and communication technologies (ICTs) is the
application of computers and other technologies to the acquisition, organization,
storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information. However, in this context,
information and communication technology is the use of electronic devices such
as computers, telephones, internet, and satellite system, to store, retrieve and
disseminate information in the form of data, text image and others.
American Library Association (1983) defined information communication
technology (ICT) as the application of computers and other technologies to the
acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information. The
computers are used to process and store data, while telecommunication
technology provides information communication tools, which make it possible for
users to access databases and link them with other computer networks at
different locations.
Rhine (2006) Information and Communication Technologies can be split into
three components namely the technology part; information that the technology
helps to deliver; and a communication process that the technology facilitates and
serves as a medium for the information.
So, we can define Information and Communication Technology-ICT as ‘the use
and applications of computers, telecommunications, and micro-electronics in the
acquisition, storage, retrieval, transfer and dissemination of information’.
Characteristics of ICT:
There are many special characteristics of ICT application. Some special
characteristics are as follows:

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Effectiveness:
– Most interactive
– Fewer errors
– Customized
– Personalized
– Achievable
– Transparent
– Searchable
– Acceptable
Efficiency:
– Faster
– Cheaper
– Fewer steps
– Lower costs
– Fewer people
– Less paperwork
Innovation:
– New product
– New technologies

TOPIC 2: COMPUTERS AS POWERPFUL THINKING MACHINE

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Laptop buying guide: 8 essential tips to know
before you buy
 

(Image credit: Future)

Laptops are compact enough to carry with you, yet versatile enough to
run demanding applications. It's the best tool for doing serious work or play
whether you're at home, on the road or in a college classroom. For those
reasons, we've compiled lists of the best business laptops and best college
laptops, not to mention our best laptops rankings for most users. 
While standalone tablets and smartphones are always popular, most
people realize that everything from typing a research paper to crunching video to
gaming works better on a laptop. So what type of laptop should you get? We put
together a laptop buying guide to help you out.
There's a wide variety of sizes, features and prices, which makes
choosing the best laptop a challenge. That's why you need to figure out what
your needs are. 
Quick Tips
These are the most important things to consider when choosing a new laptop.
For a lot more detail, see the sections below.
 12.5 to 14-inch screens offer the best balance between usability and
portability. Larger screens are fine if you don't travel much and smaller
models are great for kids.
 If you're spending over $600, shoot for these minimum specs: Core i5 or
Ryzen 5 CPU 1920 x 1080 screen 8GB of RAM SSD Storage instead of a
hard drive.
 8+ hours of battery life is ideal if you plan to take your laptop anywhere at
all.
 Consider a 2-in-1 laptop (either a bendback or detachable) if you want to
use your laptop as a tablet. If not, a standard clamshell notebook may be
a better choice.

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  Chromebooks are good for kids and students and their functionality is
expanding rapidly. Windows laptops and MacBooks both offer plenty of
functionality; which platform you prefer is a matter of personal taste.
1. Pick a Platform: Mac, Windows or Chrome OS?

This is not an easy question to answer, especially if you're not familiar

with both Macs and PCs. But this quick overview of each platform’s strengths
and weaknesses should help.
Most laptops come with one of three operating
systems: Windows, Chrome OS or MacOS (for MacBooks only). Choosing the
right one is a personal preference, but here's a quick summary of what each
offers.

Windows 10

The most flexible

operating system, Windows, runs on more laptop models than Chrome OS or
Mac OS X. Windows notebooks range in price from under $150 to several
thousand dollars and offer a wide array of features from touch screens to
fingerprint readers to dual graphics chips. Windows 10, the latest version of
Microsoft's flagship operating system, provides a number of improvements over
Windows 7 and 8, including the ability to switch between tablet and desktop

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modes, a revamped Start menu with live tiles and the powerful Cortana digital
assistant. 
Since its launch in July 2015, Windows 10 has also added a host of
improvements, including the ability to use follow-up questions with Cortana,
search your email using natural language and use your stylus to scribble almost
anywhere. Windows 10 laptops are great for students, researchers and business
users, and they're the only machines gamers should consider. 
Apple macOS Catalina

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

All MacBooks come with Apple's latest desktop operating system, macOS

Catalina. Overall, the operating system offers similar functionality to Windows 10,
but with a different take on the interface that substitutes an apps dock at the
bottom of the screen for Microsoft's Start menu and taskbar. Instead of the
Cortana digital assistant, Mac users get Siri. They can also perform transactions
with Apple Pay, take calls or texts from their phones and unlock their laptops with
an Apple Watch. 
However, macOS isn't made for touch, because no MacBook comes with
a touch screen. The latest macOS Catalina operating system brings iPad apps
over to Mac, as well as secondary display support for iPads and new accessibility
features. 
Chrome OS

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 Found on inexpensive Chromebooks such as the Samsung Chromebook
3. Google's OS is simple and secure, but more limited than Windows or macOS.
The user interface looks a lot like Windows with an application menu, a desktop
and the ability to drag windows around, but the main app you use is the Chrome
browser. The downside is that many of the "web apps" you use don't work
particularly well offline. However, that's changing as almost all Chromebooks,
including the high-end, Google PixelBook, can now run Android apps.
If you need a device to surf the Web and check email, navigate social
networks and chat online, Chromebooks are highly portable and tend to offer
good battery life at low prices. They are also extremely popular with schools and
parents, because they are hard for kids to infect with malware and more
functional than most tablets. If you need a Chromebook, look for one with at least
4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. A 1920 x 1080 resolution preferred and 4K is
better but very uncommon. Pay extra to get a 2-in-1 if you plan to use Android
apps.

2. Decide If You Want a 2-in-1

Many PC laptops fall into the category of 2-in-1 laptops, hybrid devices
that can switch between traditional clamshell mode, tablet mode and other
positions in between such as tent or stand modes. 2-in-1s generally come in two
different styles: detachables with screens that come off the keyboard entirely and
flexible laptops with hinges that bend back 360 degrees to change modes. 
Most of these systems are much better at serving one purpose than the
other, with bend-backs being laptops first and detachables offering a superior
tablet experience. However, if you don't see the need to use your notebook as a
slate, you'll usually get more performance for your money with a traditional
clamshell laptop.

3. Choose the Right Size

Before you look at specs or pricing, you need to figure out just how portable you
need your laptop to be. Laptops are usually categorized by their display sizes:

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  11 to 12 inches: The thinnest and lightest systems around have 11- to 12-
inch screens and typically weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds.
 13 to 14 inches: Provides the best balance of portability and usability,
particularly if you get a laptop that weighs under 4 pounds.
 15 to 16 inches: The most popular size, 15-inch laptops usually weigh 4
to 5.5 pounds. Consider this size if you want a larger screen and you're
not planning to carry your notebook around often. Laptops with 16-inch
displays are rare but Apple might get the trend started with its 16-inch
MacBook Pro.
 17 to 18 inches: If your laptop stays on your desk all day every day, a 17-
or 18-inch system could provide you with the kind of processing power
you need to play high-end games or do workstation-level productivity.

4. Check that Keyboard and Touchpad

The most impressive specs in the world don't mean diddly if the laptop
you're shopping for doesn't have good ergonomics. If you plan to do a lot of work
on your computer, make sure the keyboard offers solid tactile feedback, plenty of
key travel (the distance the key goes down when pressed, usually 1 to 2mm) and
enough space between the keys. If you're buying a Windows laptop, be sure it
has Precision touchpad drivers. 
Look for an accurate touchpad that doesn't give you a jumpy cursor and
responds consistently to multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. If you're
buying a business laptop, consider getting one with a pointing stick (aka nub)
between the G and H keys so you can navigate around the desktop without lifting
your fingers off the keyboard's home row.

5. Pick Your Specs

Notebook
components such as
processor, hard drive, RAM
and graphics chip can

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confuse even notebook aficionados, so don't feel bad if spec sheets look like
alphabet soup to you.

Here are the main components to keep an eye on.

CPU: The "brains" of your computer, the processor has a huge influence on
performance, but depending on what you want to do, even the least-expensive
model may be good enough. Here's a rundown:
Intel 10th Gen CPUs - Ice Lake vs Comet Lake: Intel introduced two types of
10th Gen processors that will power the next generation of laptops. You can read
about these processors in more detail here (Ice Lake) and here (Comet Lake). 
To summarize, Ice Lake --- a 10-nanometer chip --- offers improved integrated
Iris Plus graphics whereas Comet Lake --- a 14-nanometer chip --- is all about
raw performance, especially the six-core Core i7-10710U. Not sure which one is
right for you? Check out our guide, which will also help you
decipher Intel's confusing naming schemes. 
Intel Core i9: Supplanting the Core i7 as the new top-of-the-line CPU from
Intel, Core i9 processors provide faster performance than any other mobile chip.
Available only on premium laptops, workstations and high-end gaming rigs, Core
i9 CPUs are only worth their premium price if you're a power user who uses the
most demanding programs and apps. 
Intel Core i7: A step up from Core i5, which Models with numbers that end in HQ
or K use higher wattage and have four cores, allowing for even faster gaming
and productivity. There are also Core i7 Y series chips that have lower power
and performance. Keep an eye out for CPUs that have a 10 in the model number
(ex: Core i7-1060G7 for Ice Lake or Core i7-10710U for Comet Lake) because
they are part of Intel's latest, 10th Generation Core Series, and offer better
performance. Note that Intel's H-series 9th Generation CPUs are available now.
Intel Core i5: If you're looking for a mainstream laptop with the best combination
of price and performance, get one with an Intel Core i5 CPU. Models that end in
U (ex: Core i5-7200U) are the most common.  Those with the a Y in the
name are low power and have worse performance while models with an HQ use
more wattage and appear in thicker gaming and workstation systems. Intel's
newest 10th Generation "Ice Lake" CPUs have four cores, and a number of

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useful features, including Wi-Fi 6 support, Thunderbolt 3 integration and better
AI. Read our benchmarking article to see how they perform. 
Intel Core i3: Performance is just a step below Core i5 and so is the price. If you
can possibly step up to a Core i5, we recommend it.
Intel Xeon: Extremely powerful and expensive processors for large mobile
workstations. If you do professional-grade engineering, 3D modeling or video
editing, you might want a Xeon, but you won't get good battery life or a light
laptop. 
Intel Pentium / Celeron: Common in sub $400 laptops, these chips offer the
slowest performance, but can do if your main tasks are web surfing and light
document editing. If you can pay more to get a Core i3 or i5, you'd be better off.
Intel Core m / Core i5 / i7 "Y Series:" Low-power and low heat allow systems with
these processors to go fanless. Performance is better than Celeron, but a notch
below regular Core U series.
AMD Ryzen 4000: A new set of chips that are designed to compete with Intel
Core i5 and Core i7. We've found Ryzen 4000 chips to outperform equivalent
Intel Core processors. For example, the Ryzen 5 4500U CPU delivers about the
same performance as an Intel Core i7 CPU. These chips are typically found in
much cheaper laptops.
AMD A, FX or E Series: Found on low-cost laptops, AMD's processors -- the
company calls them APUs rather than CPUs --  provide decent performance for
the money that's good enough for web surfing, media viewing and productivity.
MORE: Which Laptop CPU is Right for You?
RAM: Some sub-$250 laptops come with only 4GB of RAM, but ideally you
want at least 8GB on even a budget system and 16GB if you can spend just a
little more. For most folks, 32GB or more is more than enough while 64GB and
above is reserved for power users.
Storage Drive (aka Hard Drive): Even more important than the speed of your
CPU is the performance of your storage drive. If you can afford it and don't need
a ton of internal storage, get a laptop with a solid state drive (SSD) rather than a
hard drive, because you'll see at least three times the speed and a much faster
laptop overall.
Among SSDs, the newer PCIe x4 (aka NVME) units offer triple the speed of
traditional SATA drives. Sub-$250 laptops use eMMC memory, which is
technically solid-state but not faster than a mechanical hard drive.
Display: The more pixels you have, the more content you can fit on-screen, and
the sharper it will look. Sadly, some budget laptops still have 1366 x 768
displays and so do a few business laptops, but if you can afford it, we
recommend paying extra for a panel that runs at 1920 x 1080, also known as Full
HD or 1080p. Higher-end laptops have screens that are 2560 x 1600, 3200 x

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1800 or even 3840 x 2160 (4K), which all look sharp but consume more power,
lowering your battery life. 
Display quality is about much more than resolution. IPS panels range in color
and brightness, so read our reviews to find out if the laptop your considering has
a good display. We typically look for an sRGB color rating of over 100% and
brightness great than 300 nits results. If you want the very best picture quality
and don't care about battery life, consider an OLED display. You should also
keep an eye out for upcoming display technology to hit laptops,
including miniLED. 
Touch Screen: If you're buying a regular clamshell laptop, rather than a 2-in-1,
you won't get much benefit from a touch screen and you will get 1 to 2 hours less
battery life. On 2-in-1s, touch screens come standard. If you still want a touch
screen, check out our best touch screen laptops page.
Graphics Chip: If you're not playing PC games, creating 3D objects or doing high-
res video editing, an integrated graphics chip (one that shares system memory)
will be fine, especially Intel's latest Iris Plus graphics. If you have any of the
above needs, though, a discrete graphics processor from AMD or Nvidia is
essential. 
As with CPUs, there are both high- and low-end graphics chips. Low-end gaming
or workstation systems today usually have Nvidia MX250 or GTX 1650 GPUs
while mid-range models have RTX 2050 or RTX 2060 and high-end models
have RTX 2070 or 2080 GPUs. Nvidia maintains a list of its graphics chips from
low to high end.
Nvidia's rivals, AMD, is Apple's vendor of choice for graphics cards, although you
really shouldn't buy a MacBook for gaming. AMD is set to launch the Radeon RX
5600M and the Radeon RX 5700M GPUs for laptops later this year, so keep an
eye out for those chips.  AMD also keeps a list of its graphics cards. 
Ports: While the absence of ports is usually not a deal-breaker when choosing a
laptop, it's helpful to get the connections you need right on the system, rather
than having to carry a slew of dongles. Most mainstream laptops will have USB
3.0 ports and HDMI out for video. However, an increasing number of laptops use
USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports that are USB Type-C compatible. 
Getting Type-C is a definite plus because you can use it to connect to universal
chargers and docks. If you can wait, USB 4 will arrive soon with faster transfer
rates and the ability to daisy-chain 4K monitors with one cable. Other useful
connections include SD card slots, headphone jacks and Ethernet ports
(especially if you're a gamer).
Connectivity: If you need to use your laptop on the go, consider buying a
notebook with 4G LTE support. You'll have to pay for a data subscription plan,
but this will allow you to access the internet away from a router. If you want a
laptop with the latest and greatest connectivity options, find one with Wi-Fi 6
support. Wi-Fi 6 offers increased theoretical throughputs and a more stable

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connection than 802.11ac. We also suggest looking for a laptop with Bluetooth 5,
the latest standard that offers improved connectivity with Bluetooth-enabled
devices, like mice and headphones.
DVD/Blu-ray Drives: Few laptops come with optical drives, because all software
and movies are downloadable, though we've kept track of the laptops with DVD
drives. However, if you really need to read/write discs and your laptop of choice
doesn't come with a built-in DVD drive, you can always buy an external one that
connects via USB for under $20.

6. Don’t Skimp on Battery Life

If you're buying a large, bulky notebook or a gaming rig that you'll use
only on a desk near an outlet, you don't have to worry about battery life.
However, if you plan to use the laptop on your lap, even if it's at home and or
work, you'll want at least 7 hours of endurance, with 8+ hours being ideal. To
determine a notebook's expected battery life, don't take the manufacturer's word
for it. Instead, read third-party results from objective sources, such as our
reviews.

7. Plan Based on Your Budget

These days, you can buy a usable laptop for under $200, but if you can
budget more, you'll get a system with better build quality, stronger performance
and a better display. Here's what you can get for each price range.
$150 to $250: The least-expensive notebooks are either Chromebooks,
which run Google's browser-centric OS, or low-end Windows systems with
minimal storage and slower processors, such as the HP Stream 11 and the Dell
Inspiron 11 3000. Use these as secondary computers only or give them to the
kids.
$350 to $600: For well under $600, you can get a notebook with an Intel
Core i5 or AMD A8 CPU, 4 to 8GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive, all
respectable specs. However, at this price, most notebooks don't have an SSD, a
full-HD display or long battery life. There are a few notable exceptions, such as
the Acer Aspire E 15 and Asus Chromebook Flip C434. 
$600 to $900: As you get above $600, you'll start to see more premium
designs, such as metal finishes. Manufacturers also start to add in other features
as you climb the price ladder, including higher-resolution displays and SSDs.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 530s and Asus ZenBook UX333FA are great examples of
laptops that offer all these perks for less. 
Above $900: At this price range, expect notebooks that are more
portable, more powerful or both. Expect higher-resolution screens, faster
processors and possibly discrete graphics. The lightest, longest-lasting
ultraportables, like the Apple MacBook Air and the Dell XPS 13, tend to cost

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more than $1,000 (although you can get the Dell for less if you don't opt for a
touch screen). High-end gaming systems and mobile workstations usually cost
upward of $1,500 or even as much as $2,500 or $3,000.

8.Mind the Brand

Your laptop is only as good as the company that stands behind it.
Accurate and timely technical support is paramount, which is why Laptop Mag
evaluates every major brand in our annual Tech Support Showdown. This past
year Apple came in first place, followed by the big story of the year: Razer, while
Dell rounded out the top three. 
Support is only part of what makes a notebook brand worth your money.
You also have to consider how the manufacturer stacks up to the competition in
terms of design, value and selection, review performance and other criteria. In
our 2019 Best and Worst Laptop Brands report, HP placed first, followed by Asus
and Dell. We've also rated gaming laptop brands, with MSI taking first place and
Acer and Alienware rounding out the top three.

TOPIC 4: Categories of Computer Peripherals

What is Digital Data Storage?

Digital data storage is essentially the recording of digital information in a
storage medium, typically by electronic means. The storage device usually
enables a user to store large amounts of data in a relatively small physical space,
and makes sharing that information with others easy. The device may be capable
of holding the data either temporarily or permanently.
Digital data storage devices have many uses. For example, computers
usually depend upon information storage to function. Storage media can also be
used to back up important information (storing digital data can involve durability
and reliability issues, so making independent copies of the information is
normally a wise precaution). Some storage devices are also portable, meaning
that they can be used to transfer information from one computer to another.
Digital data storage media generally fall into one of five categories:
magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, flash memory devices,

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online/cloud storage, and paper storage. I will give one or more examples of
each category below.

Digital Data Storage Devices: 10 Examples

1. Hard Drive Disk
2. Floppy Disk
3. Tape
4. Compact Disc (CD)
5. DVD and Blu-ray Discs
6. USB Flash Drive
7. Secure Digital Card (SD Card)
8. Solid State Drive (SSD)
9. Cloud Storage
10. Punch Card
1. Hard Disk Drive
A hard disk drive (also known as a hard drive, HD,
or HDD) can be found installed in almost every
desktop computer and laptop. It stores files for the
operating system and software programs, as well as
user documents, such as photographs, text files,
and audio. The hard drive uses magnetic storage to
record and retrieve digital information to and from
one or more fast-spinning disks.

2. Floppy Disk
Also know as a diskette, floppy, or FD, the floppy
disk is another type of storage medium that uses
magnetic storage technology to store information.
Floppy disks were once a common storage device
for computers and lasted from the mid-1970's
through to the start of the 21st century. The earliest
floppies were 8-inch (203 mm) in size, but these
were replaced by 5  ⁄4-inch (133 mm) disk drives, and finally a 3 1⁄2 inch (90 mm)
1

version.

3. Tape
In the past, magnetic tape was often used for digital
data storage, because of its low cost and ability to
store large amounts of data. The technology
essentially consisted of a magnetically thin coated
piece of plastic wrapped around wheels. Its relative
slowness and unreliability compared to other data
storage solutions has resulted in it now being largely abandoned as a media.

4. Compact Disc (CD)

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The compact disc, known for short as a CD, is a form of optical storage, a
technology which employs lasers and lights to read and write data. Initially
compact discs were used purely for music audio, but in the late 1980's they
began to be also used for computer data storage. Initially, the compact discs that
were introduced were CD-ROM's (read only), but this was followed by CD-R's
(writable compact discs) and CD-RW's (re-writable compact discs).

5. DVD and Blu-ray Discs

The DVD (digital versatile disc) and Blu-ray disc (BD)
are formats of digital optical disc data storage which
have superseded compact discs, mainly because of
their much greater storage capacity. A Blu-ray disc, for
example, can store 25 GB (gigabytes) of data on a
single-layer disc and 50 GB on a dual-layer disc. In
comparison, a standard CD is the same physical size,
but only holds 700 MB (megabytes) of digital data.

6. USB Flash Drive

Also known as a thumb drive, pen drive, flash-drive,
memory stick, jump drive, and USB stick, the USB
flash drive is a flash memory data storage device that
incorporates an integrated USB interface. Flash
memory is generally more efficient and reliable than
optical media, being smaller, faster, and possessing
much greater storage capacity, as well as being more
durable due to a lack of moving parts.

7. Secure Digital Card (SD Card)

A common type of memory card, SD cards are used in
multiple electronic devices, including digital cameras
and mobile phones. Although there are different sizes,
classes, and capacities available, they all use a
rectangular design with one side "chipped off" to
prevent the card from being inserted into the camera
or other device the wrong way.

8. Solid State Drive (SSD)

A solid state drive uses flash memory to store data and
is sometimes used in devices such as netbooks,
laptop, and desktop computers instead of a traditional
hard disk drive. The advantages of an SSD over a
HDD include a faster read/write speed, noiseless
operation, greater reliability, and lower power
consumption. The biggest downside is cost, with an SSD offering lower capacity
than an equivalently priced HDD.

9. Cloud Storage

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With users increasingly operating multiple devices in multiple places, many are
turning to online and cloud computing solutions. Cloud computing basically
involves accessing services over a network via a collection of remote servers.
Although the idea of a "cloud of computers" may sound abstract to those
unfamiliar with this metaphorical concept, in practice it can provide tremendous
storage solutions for devices that are connected to the internet.

10. Punch Card

Punch cards (or punched cards) were a common
method of data storage used in the early
computers. Basically, they consisted of a paper
card with punched or perforated holes that have
been created by hand or machine. The cards
were entered into the computer to enable the
storage and accessing of information. This form of
data storage media pretty much disappeared as
new and better technologies were developed.

6 Common Causes of Digital Data Loss

There are a number of ways that digital data can be lost. I've listed six of the
most common ways below. Generally speaking, the best way to protect data is to
back it up in different places.
 Deleting files by mistake. This is a very common problem and has
happened to most people who deal with data, including myself. As well as
deletion, reformatting a device can also result in the loss of stored
information.
 Power failure. Many electronic devices depend on electricity to function
properly and maintain data. A loss of power can therefore be disruptive or
destructive, especially in cases where the power loss is sudden. As well as
power losses, power surges can also cause problems.
 Spillages, drops, or other physical accidents. Anything that causes
physical damage to the storage device can corrupt data or prevent access
to it. Minor accidents, such as just knocking over a cup of coffee can be all it
takes to cause the loss of large amounts of data.
 Viruses and other forms of malware. Many modern forms of digital data
storage are exposed to the internet. This means that the data risks being
corrupted by malware, either directly, or via wider damage being caused to
say, the operating system.
 The storage device is stolen. Whether through burglary, pickpocketing,
mugging, or other forms of theft, you can lose the entire device and all the
information that's on it.
 Fires, floods, explosions and other catastrophic events. These can all
destroy vast amounts of data. This is one of the main reasons why data
should never be backed up in the same building, but rather in a separate
place.

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INSIDE A COMPUTER
Have you ever looked inside a computer case, or seen pictures of the
inside of one? The small parts may look complicated, but the inside of a
computer case isn't really all that mysterious. This lesson will help you master
some of the basic terminology and understand a bit more about what goes on
inside a computer.

Motherboard
The motherboard is the computer's main circuit
board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory,
connectors for the hard drive and optical drives,
expansion cards to control the video and audio, and
connections to your computer's ports (such as USB
ports). The motherboard connects directly or
indirectly to every part of the computer.

CPU/processor
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside
the computer case on the motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the
computer, and its job is to carry out commands. Whenever you press a key, click
the mouse, or start an application, you're sending
instructions to the CPU.
The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located
inside. The chip is usually about the size of a thumbnail. The CPU fits into the
motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by the heat sink, an object that
absorbs heat from the CPU.
A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of instructions
per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions per second. A faster
processor can execute instructions more quickly. However, the actual speed of
the computer depends on the speed of many different components—not just the
processor.

RAM (random access memory)

RAM is your system's short-term memory.
Whenever your computer performs calculations, it
temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is
needed.
This short-term memory disappears when the
computer is turned off. If you're working on a
document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing
it. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-
term storage.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you
have, the more things your computer can do at the same time. If you don't have
enough RAM, you may notice that your computer is sluggish when you have
several programs open. Because of this, many people add extra RAM to their
computers to improve performance.

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 Hard drive
The hard drive is where your software, documents,
and other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term
storage, which means the data is still saved even if
you turn the computer off or unplug it.
When you run a program or open a file, the computer
copies some of the data from the hard drive onto
the RAM. When you save a file, the data is copied
back to the hard drive. The faster the hard drive, the
faster your computer can start up and load programs.

Power supply unit

The power supply unit in a computer converts the
power from the wall outlet to the type of power
needed by the computer. It sends power through
cables to the motherboard and other components.
If you decide to open the computer case and take
a look, make sure to unplug the computer first.
Before touching the inside of the computer, you
should touch a grounded metal object—or a metal part of the computer casing—
to discharge any static buildup. Static electricity can be transmitted through the
computer circuits, which can seriously damage your machine.

Expansion cards
Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow you to add
various types of expansion cards. These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral
component interconnect) cards. You may never need to add any PCI cards
because most motherboards have built-in video, sound, network, and other
capabilities.
However, if you want to boost the performance of your computer or update the
capabilities of an older computer, you can always add one or more cards. Below
are some of the most common types of expansion cards.

Video card
The video card is responsible for what you see on the
monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics
processing unit) built into the motherboard instead of
having a separate video card. If you like playing
graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video
card to one of the expansion slots to get better
performance.

Sound card
The sound card—also called an audio card—is
responsible for what you hear in the speakers or
headphones. Most motherboards have integrated sound,
but you can upgrade to a dedicated sound card for
higher-quality sound.

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 Network card
The network card allows your computer to communicate
over a network and access the Internet. It can either
connect with an Ethernet cable or through
a  wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi). Many
motherboards have built-in network connections, and a
network card can also be added to an expansion slot.

Bluetooth card (or adapter)

Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication
over short distances. It's often used in computers to
communicate with wireless keyboards, mice,
and printers. It's commonly built into the motherboard or
included in a wireless network card. For computers that
don't have Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter,
often called a dongle.

REFERENCES
 LIS BD Network. (2014, January 11). ICT: Concept and Definition.
Retrieved from http://www.lisbdnet.com/ict-concepts-and-meaning-
definition/#:~:text=Information%20Communication%20Technology%20is
%20a%20common%20term%20referring,services%20available%20in
%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20users.
 10 types of computers. (n.d). SharpSchool. Retrieved July 19, 2020 from
http://eeisdtruan.ss4.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_123058
3/File/Intro%20to%20Computers/10%20TYPES%20OF
%20COMPUTERS.pdf
 Goodman, P. (2020, July 12). Computer Basics: 10 Examples of Storage
Devices for Digital Data. TurboFuture.
https://turbofuture.com/computers/Examples-of-Data-Storage-Devices
 GCFFreeLearning.Org. (n.d) Inside a Computer. GCF Global. Retrieved
from: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/inside-a-computer/1/
 Tracy, P. (2020, July 11). Laptop buying guide: 8 essential tips to know
before you buy. Laptop. https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-

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