Tohidul Islam

Professor von Uhl

English 21007

April 11, 2019

Technical Description: First Draft

            The Dell corporation, originally known as PC’s Unlimited, was started up by Michael Dell during his freshmen year at college in Austin, Texas 1984. Dell believed that selling computers directly to customers and cutting out the “middle-man” was that best way to provide clients with what they required while also avoiding the inflated prices that commonly occur on retailed products (Britannica, 2019). After finding success in this business, Dell dropped out of college near the end of 1984 to pursue the growth of PC’s Unlimited. That same year the company produced its first original concept computer called the Turbo PC and had started to expand and broaden its line of products. By 1988 the company had rebranded to Dell Incorporated and had expanded their business overseas (Britannica, 2019).

Over the last thirty years, Dell has advanced its line of desktop computers in terms of capability and durability. The modern-day Dell computer is able to handle vigorous multitasking and complex computations in virtually no time at all. The driving forces behind this performance being the components of the desktop which work in tandem to create a unique and flawless experience for the user (“What We Do,” n.d.).

The Dell desktops vary in their inner components based on the model and year that they were manufactured. However, all desktops contain the core components of a motherboard, RAM sticks, CPU, PSU, and HDD (“Inside a Computer,” 2012). The motherboard is the backbone of the desktop, it holds and connects all the other components of the desktop, allowing for communication between the various parts.

The motherboard directly holds two other core components which are the CPU and RAM sticks. The CPU, which stands for central processing unit, is the brain of the desktop, providing the functionality of the entire computer. It contains the arithmetic logic unit which performs all arithmetic and logic operations along with the registers and control unit which fetch and execute instructions from the memory stack (“What is a CPU and What Does It Do? – Definition of CPU,” n.d.).

The RAM, or random access memory, is where the computer stores any data that it is actively using. The most common type of RAM that can be found in a Dell computer today is SDRAM or more commonly known as DDR which come in various amounts of storage space ranging from four gigabytes a stick to upwards of sixty-four each (McCormack, n.d.). However, RAM will lose all information that it currently holds if the system is shut off. This makes RAM unideal for the storage of long-term information, which is why another component is needed.

For long-term storage an HDD is required. The hard disk drive stores and retains information even after power is lost. This is done by the hard drive writing data onto the hard disk while also reading any stored data when required (Woodford, 2018).

The last main component required is know as the PSU or the power supply unit. This component handles the system’s energy requirement by pulling the required amount of electricity and also converting an alternating current into a direct current (Fisher, 2018). The PSU is generally placed with its fan pointed out an opening in the tower to allow for proper airflow in the casing.

To house the components of a desktop, a structure called a tower is used. Towers vary in sizes and specifications based on the model. Most towers will have one or two built in case fans to regulate component temperatures and maintain proper airflow within the case (Fisher, 2018). However, higher end models will sometimes come fitted with several fans as well as visual effects such as lighting.

Dell has slowly improved in its line of desktops over the past thirty years, which was done through the implementation of newer and more advanced components inside the desktop. These components allow Dell to provide customers with a product that is just as good, if not better than, and other desktop available for the average user.

*Cover page, table of contents, and header removed due to formatting issues*

Bibliography

Britannica, T. E. (2019, January 07). Dell Inc. Retrieved from                                                                https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dell-Inc

Das, D. (2018, January 1). Central Processing Unit [Digital image]. Retrieved from                            https://www.csetutor.com/components-of-cpu-and-their-functions/

Fisher, T. (2018, December 17). What Is a Computer Case? (Tower, Chassis, Housing).                      Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-computer-case-2618149

Inside a Desktop Computer [Digital image]. (2012, March 9). Retrieved from                                    https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/inside-a-computer/1/

Inside a Computer. (2012, March 9). Retrieved from                                                                            https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/inside-a-computer/1/

McCormack, G. (n.d.). 1: The Operating Principles of Computers. Retrieved from                              https://www.sqa.org.uk/e-learning/FirstLine01CD/page_01.htm

What is a CPU and What Does It Do? – Definition of CPU. (n.d.). Retrieved                                          fromhttp://www.buildcomputers.net/what-is-a-cpu.html

What We Do. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.delltechnologies.com/en-us/what-we-do.htm

Woodford, C. (2018, April 12). How does a hard drive work? Retrieved from                                      https://www.explainthatstuff.com/harddrive.html