Why is a computer known as a computer system?

Answer 1

A computer "system" is only considered a system if the following conditions are met:
Functional Hardware is present, which runs functional software, which provides a product and/or service. Products and/or Services may be defined at almost infinite levels so be aware the product and or service may be displayed, used and/or produced by either the computer "system" itself or peripheral device(s) including but not limited to networked devices.

Answer 2

Computers are now actually a very large number of different configurations and have different storage and communications devices. They once consisted mainly of CPU, input/output, and memory. As time has gone by we have gone from punch cards, to magnetic drives, to memory sticks to .. {whatever is next in storage.} In my network at home, each machine has it's own type and amount of storage, different CPUs, different motherboards, different floppy configurations, different network cards, different monitors... you get the idea.

To the average tech (if there is such a thing) a computer is a box that contains the CPU, main memory, adapter boards (including video), internal storage (drives in most cases), and attaches to an external keyboard, mouse and monitor. Sometimes a printer is attached to the main box. If you say "something is wrong with my computer" as opposed to "something is wrong with my monitor" that will often redirect her/his attention to the main box and not the monitor (at least at first.) Selling a computer and selling a computer system can be the difference between CPU, monitor, mouse, keyboard and printer, vs CPU only.

Mac Minis are sold as a computer NOT a system because they require you to provide keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer. One of my machines, an SGI (used as a server only) has no keyboard, mouse or monitor. I can only contact it through the ethernet network I have, BUT it does it's job just great without that stuff and reduces power usage in the house; This is a computer, not a system.

Answer 3

Probably the term "computer system" implies the prescense of greater generality. For example, a computer system implies that additional software could be installed and additional peripheral devices can be attached at will, and generally its uses can evolve over time. Another possible explanation for the use of the term "computer system" is that it sounds more complicated and sophisticated as might be desired in marketing material for example. We often say in 2 words what can just as easily be said in 1.

Answer 4

They are refered to as a system because a computer system is made up of not one but many computing parts. Usually when people do refer to a computer system they are thinking servers and/or domain controllers, not PCs.

Answer 5

Computers are called "computer systems" because a computer is a device with an open architecture and it can be used in various configurations. A typical computer consists of many subsystems - main unit, display, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, and many other possible subsystems.

Answer 6

A computer is a system of parts that come together to make a working computer.

Answer 7

because it is a sum of interchangeable parts.

Answer 8

Originally, computers were a number of separate, externally-connected components working together. Thus it was a system.