What is a computer system?
A computer system is a collection of hardware and software that performs specific tasks. The term “system” refers to the interconnection of individual components, which work together to perform an overall task or set of tasks.
Computer systems will include the computer along with any software and peripheral devices that are necessary to make the computer function. Every computer system, for example, requires an operating system.
The term “computer system” is often used interchangeably with the term “computer,” but they do not actually mean the same thing. A computer system can be as simple as a single device, or it can be an entire network of devices working together.
Hardware in a computer system includes the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output (I/O) interfaces, network connections, and other components. Software consists of applications or programs that run on the CPU to perform various functions for users.
What are examples of computer systems?
There are many different types of computer systems that can be used by businesses and organizations but also by consumers. The most common type of computer system is the desktop computer, which is a personal computer that sits on a desk or table and can be used by one person at a time.
A laptop or notebook computer is similar to a desktop and is also a computer system, but it has an internal battery pack so it can be taken with users when they travel. In an increasingly mobile world, mobile phones and other mobile devices are also considered types of computer systems.
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