There are few types of internal cables still used in the latest desktop computers. Because the motherboard is usually far away from the front of the computer case where all ports have to be installed for easy access, cables are used.

This is a very wasteful solution, but it’s necessary for standard computers in which you want to be able to change the motherboard and other components once in a while.

Nettop computers on the other hand die as they were built. The non-standard motherboard fits only in that specific computer case, otherwise ports don’t match the holes on the computer case.

To make a long story short, manufacturers have been planning to replace the BIOS with something better, but so far they have just managed to transfer the BIOS from a built-in flash memory to the hard disk and name it UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). This technology was spotted on an unreleased ASUS motherboard (Intel Sandy Bridge platform), a video demonstration can be found here.

It looks like this, basically nothing special compared to recent BIOS releases, so what’s the point of moving it to less safe storage (to the hard drive)? One might argue that the BIOS is very limited in size, 4 or 8megabits of data, and it would be nice to have more space available for all sorts of basic software a computer may need before the operating system. Such a program could be an advanced hardware error finder, hard disk partitioner/formatter or even a mini operating system to allow web browsing or multimedia playback on the computer without starting an unsecured operating system.

On the other hand, all this can be done already with current hardware and software limitations. The software can be accessed from any storage unit of the computer system: FDD, CD, DVD, HDD, SSD … and even directly from the network.

My best guess is that PC manufacturers have a secret plan, a much better concept which will redefine the borders of hardware, BIOS(or UEFI) and software. Otherwise it doesn’t make any sense to take such a huge step in an uncertain direction.

The truth is that UEFI will not improve the performance of the PC, because most of the programming that counts is done by the operating system maker and by software companies which make applications for the operating systems. All this happens long after the BIOS or UEFI is loaded into the memory and is already forgotten.

UEFI makes the new Intel platform more interesting from a technological point of view. This is very important, because the new platform doesn’t really bring anything new to the PC market, just some new motherboards, very similar to those with LGA1156, already used today. Processor speed is the other important feature that we expect from the new platform and some testers already posted benchmark results with new generation Core I processors reaching 5GHz. And finally, the architecture of the new chips will also be interesting, because the memory controller and the graphics processor won’t be just glued onto the processor, but they will be integrated properly within the processor in the 32nm manufacturing process.

The Altair 8800 was introduced in 1975 and it was based on Intel’s 8080 CPU. It could handle 8bit and 16bit instructions, while being able to address 64kilobytes of memory and run at an impressive 2MHz speed.

In contrast, today’s computers can be configured with 64GB of memory and their CPUs run at frequencies beyond 6 x 3GHz (Phenom II X6 3.2GHz). In just 33 years memory size has increased a million times (from 64KB to 64GB), while CPU speed only 10,000 times (from 2MHz to 20GHz).
With MS DOS and later MS Windows came the need for larger computer programmer teams, because some important limits were removed. Memory size and processing speed were increased, so much more complex programs could be created.

MS DOS was released with a so-called GW-BASIC interpreter, a programmer friendly platform for creating programs with commands, functions and procedures (words and numbers instead of just flipping switches). These programs could also be saved to and loaded from floppy disks, and later much more evolved internal hard disks.

Starting with MS Windows 95 (almost) the whole programming community began to make these new user friendly programs that can be run by a simple mouse click and everything is done in a graphical user interface (GUI), no more typing commands. The biggest advantage of using GUI was that programmers had an easier job too, because programming platforms were also programmer friendly. The programmer could see a list of command / function / procedure options in any part of the software in development.
Today computer programmers have much more tools at their disposals for writing and optimizing their programs, but it doesn’t mean that their job is easier. For example game developers have to combine much more elements in perfect timing to make a game with 3D realistic graphics and captivating game play, while in the old days of BASIC and DOS there was no 3D, not even realistic 2D that would require very fine tuning to look acceptable.

As you can see there’s a HUGE difference between a game made 30 years ago and one made recently.

The future of computer programmers may be uncertain, because computers are handling more and more complex jobs. Sometime soon computers will be able to create, program and repair themselves (or each other) if we let them, and then the maximum complexity of a programmer’s job will be to command the computer to do something by pushing a button.

Three types of personal computers are made by Sony: desktops, laptops and all-in-ones (computer built into the monitor).

Sony computer accessories target mainly the portable segment with laptop carrying cases, docking stations, external VAIO drives, speakers, headphones, external hard drives, notebook locks and more. Sony (much like Apple and Dell) is all about looks. It has some very simple and yet elegant laptop case designs on the official website:

As you can see it doesn’t have anything extra that would ruin the exterior, there’s just one big compartment for a laptop with screen up to 11.1” (Sony VAIO X and V series, or other manufacturer’s models) and a smaller one for the charger, mouse, headphones and whatever you need. The $30 price seems fair, other manufacturers sell their similar products in the same price range. The VAIO P series lifestyle PC has a very unique 8” screen with a 1600 x 768 resolution:

Figuring that it won’t fit well in anything else, Sony is offering 4 different carrying case designs for this little laptop.

Asking prices are $40, $90, $90, $90 and $40 for the last model. For bigger laptops Sony came up with a very complex product list, for every taste:

This is just a few of them, but there are many more at reasonable prices. Interestingly enough there’s only one type of wired (non-wireless) mouse on the Sony website with a $30 price tag; it comes in pink, brown or white color:

Fortunately there are 8 different wireless and Bluetooh mice available for PCs and PS3 too:

This is a very unique mouse design, created especially for PS3, but it works with any Bluetooth capable laptop and desktop. Sony tried to make something very practical, a mouse which protects itself:

The interchangeable cover slides on the wheel and buttons to to protect them, but also to turn off wireless transmissions so the battery isn’t drained when you don’t use it. This may be the most irrational Sony computer accessory. These are portable speakers, but one would be tempted to use them with desktops too:

They come with an external power adapter, but there’s also a triple-A battery slot in one of the speakers so you can take them on the road, although it’s unlikely that maximum power will still reach 2 x 2.5Watt as with the AC adapter. For only $70 you can protect you privacy in public areas with the Sony brand privacy filter:

It’s available for Y and S series, but there are others compatible with Z series too, at the same price.

On the other hand, this kind of laptop cases look great and have a lot of storage compartments for additional HP laptop computer accessories. This specific model is made by Targus and supports laptop sizes up to 17”. It costs just under $50, so it’s one of the cheapest shock-resistant computer cases around. Next on the popularity list is the HP 11.6” Mini Sleeve that addresses a completely different type of user.

These little laptop cases offer protection mostly against scratches and dust, shock protection is not really an option at such small dimensions. People who buy netbooks (laptops with screens smaller than 12”) usually want maximum portability, and less safety. It wouldn’t make sense to put a small laptop in a thick protective case. At a $25 price it may be the best choice for HP mini laptops.

The best and most ergonomic laptop case is the backpack. The most popular backpack, SwissGear 17″ Pegasus Backpack is unfortunately in sixth place on HP’s popularity list, so a conclusion would be that people don’t really care about health when it comes to one of the most visible accessories.

It costs $80, but it’s worth every cent, because not only does it divide the laptop’s weight equally on you shoulders, but it also frees up your hands to walk more naturally and to do more important things than holding a bag. At home at at the office the most important accessory for laptops is the standard keyboard and mouse, that make it possible to increase productivity compared to the laptop’s miniature input devices.

This original HP Wireless Multimedia Keyboard and Mouse cost $60. The most important features include multimedia controls on the keyboard, fast scrolling rubber mouse wheel and extended battery life. They keyboard works for up to a year on two AA batteries while the batteries in the mouse have to be changed every 6 months. Compared to early wireless accessories that needed recharging (or replacement batteries) after every 1-2 weeks, these are very close to perfect. Another laptop accessory that is worth investing in is a good docking station.

It costs $100 and it comes in handy when you have a lot of accessories at home that you don’t take with you, just the laptop. If this is the case you just disconnect the laptop from the docking port, and you’re ready to go. As you can see it supports all kinds of accessories including one monitor, analog and digital audio input/output jacks and most importantly it also has a power adapter, so you don’t have to take out the charger from the bag, you may use it only for travel. Although HP brand monitors are a bit more expensive than less-known brands, today we’re looking at only HP products.

It’s important to choose a monitor with the highest possible resolution, while size doesn’t really matter when it comes to productivity. This $212 21.5″ monitor is ideal for programs, games and any FullHD content.

For Compaq Mini 700, 110 (and also HP Mini 1000 and 110) HP offers two types of external power supplies: one is for AC and gives the mini laptops 30Watts of power while the other one is for use in cars, it works on 12Volts and give 40Watts of power, thus supporting two new mini laptop models, the HP Mini 210 and the Compaq Mini 210.

There are a few HP and Compaq laptop accessories worth mentioning. One is the HP Student premium Bundle for (up to) 17” Notebooks, which includes the most frequently used laptop accessories: a flash drive and a wireless laser mouse.

At an $80 price (after rebate) it’s not really cheap, but considering that all accessories included are made by HP, it’s acceptable. Apparently you save $45 by buying the accessory pack instead of the three accessories separately. The mouse is a HP Wireless Laser Mini Mouse with a 800DPI laser sensor that’s considered to be of medium quality. The flash drive’s size is 8GB, while its physical dimensions are relatively big. Most less-known brand flash drives have the same size or even smaller. Interestingly enough HP offers two different types of 500GB external hard drives for the same $82 price. One is a 2.5” S-ATA laptop drive in an USB powered enclosure, while the other is based on a 3.5” desktop drive that needs an additional power supply. Obviously the main difference between the two would be in speed, but considering the fact that they both use the same limited USB2.0 interface, it’s hard to say if one of them would perform much better in some tasks, so it’s recommended to choose the 2.5” one for portability, less noise and less power consumption.

Another useful Compaq laptop accessory (and also HP) is the small ExpressCard size remote control:

It uses the HP Pavilion dv1000t, dv2000, dv5000, dv6000, dv8000, dv9000 or Compaq Presario V2000, V3000, V5000, V6000 laptop’s infrared port and through the additional software and drivers it can control most applications. It’s ideal for slideshow presentations in class or at home, where you may not reach the keyboard because the TV or projector is across the (class)room. For a $19 price it’s a very good deal.

There are a few types of computer accessories:

1. Input: data flows from the device to the computer
2. Output: data flows from the computer to the device
3. Input & Output: data flows in both directions
4. Other non-digital accessories: there’s no data transfer

Input devices (or accessories) include keyboards, mice, microphones (and other audio sources), webcams, digital video cameras, TV-Tuners, scanners, DVD-ROMs, power reset and sleep buttons …etc.

Output devices (or accessories) are screens, printers, speakers, projectors, LEDs.

I/O devices (or accessories) are mostly storage and communication devices, like dvd-writers, external hard disks and networks, The Internet, telephone lines …etc.

Non-digital accessories are components or external devices that ensure the right electrical and thermal conditions for the computer’s components and accessories. Accessories that belong to this category are fans, power adapters, fluorescent lights, cables …etc.

Today’s most frequently used desktop computer accessories are the ones that are already incorporated in most laptop computers:

- Keyboard – the best input device ever, in the last 100 years no one came up with a better idea than the QWERTY keyboard:

- Pointing device – laptops and some desktop keyboard include touch pads, but the best pointing device ever developed is the computer mouse, undefeated since apple first introduced it (the original Apple one-button mouse).

- Speakers – that’s something that any digital or analog device must have for warning sounds or simply for music/film/game/application sound.

- Image input – usually a simple webcam, incorporated in (or placed on) the top of the laptop/desktop screen, that’s used together with a microphone in most cases.

Printers are becoming less practical desktop computer accessories, because storing stuff on hard drives, dvds or on the internet is much safer than keeping physical documents, photos or videotapes. Authorities and firms in evolved states already accept documents in digital form, thus simplifying procedures and making everything more efficient. In more primitive states you still have to do everything by going down to the authorities, filling out forms, taking documents and files to different institutes in the city or state and paying at a completely different place. Faxes are also obsolete, in fact they had a very short life. Although the fax was invented a long time ago, when it was finally manufactured at a larger scale the Internet and free E-Mail services were already wide-spread and far more practical.

The oldest known mechanism seems that could function as a calculating machine which is considered to be “The Clock” from Antikythira, dating back from the year 87. b.c. and apparently used to calculate the planets movement. The technology which stood at the base of this mechanism isn’t known.

Once with the revival of mathematics and sciences from the European Renaissance, came a succession of calculating mechanical devices, based on the clock principle, for example the machine invented by Blaise Pascal. The storage and reading techniques on a perforated card, came in the 19th century. In the same century, Charles Babbage is the first to project a calculating machine completely programmable in 1837, but unfortunately his project won’t work, mainly because of the limited technology of the time.

The design team of the ENIAC, recognizing its shortcomings , has developed another architecture, more flexible, which was known under the name of von Neumann architecture or “architecture with saved memory”. This stands probably at the base of every actual calculating machines. The first system which was built using von Neumann architecture was the EDSAC.

So the answer to: when was the first computer created is up to you to answer. which do you think it was the first computer.