UCU Arua Campus

FS1102 Basic Computing

Lecture Three: Computer types

Lecturer: Wamusi Robert

Phone: 0787432609
Email: [email protected]
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lecture students will be
able to
List the basic types of computers, giving
at least one example of each type of
computer and stating what that computer
might be used for and
Evaluate a computer that is intended for
purchase in terms of the factors most
critical to performance
Computers to fit every need
The types of computers available today
vary from the tiny computers embedded
in consumer products, to the pocket-sized
mobile devices that do a limited number
of computing tasks, to the powerful and
versatile desktop and portable computers
found in homes and businesses, to the
super powerful computers used to control
the country’s defense systems.
The Computer types
Computers can be as big as occupying a
large building and as small as a laptop or a
microcontroller in mobile & embedded
systems.
The four basic types of computers are:
1. Microcomputers
2. Mini Computers
3. Super Computer
4. Mainframe Computers
Computer types – Micro Computers
Personal computers, laptops, personal digital
assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are all
types of microcomputers.
The micro-computers are widely used & the
fastest growing computers.
These computers are the cheapest among the
other three types of computers.
The Micro-computers are specially designed
for general usage like entertainment, education
and work purposes.
Categories of Micro Computers –
Personal Computer
Personal computers—fully functioning portable
or desktop computers that are designed to be
used by a single individual at a time.
A PC that is not designed for portability is a
desktop computer.
The expectation with desktop systems are that
you will set the computer up in a permanent
location. Most desktops offer more power,
storage and versatility for less cost than their
portable brethren.
The Personal Computer (cont.)
Conventional personal computers that are
designed to fit on or next to a desk are often
referred to as desktop computers.
Desktop computers can use a tower case
(designed to sit vertically, typically on the
floor), a desktop case (designed to be placed
horizontally on a desk’s surface), or an all-
inone case (designed to incorporate the
monitor and system unit into a single piece
of hardware).
PCs (the MAC Vs. PC compatible)
Desktop computers typically cost between
1,000,000/= and 2,000,000/= and usually
conform to one of two standards or platforms:
PC-compatible or Mac (a typical PC-compatible
tower computer and an iMac all-in-one computer
are shown in the next slide).
PC-compatible computers (sometimes referred to
as Windows PCs or IBM compatible PCs)
evolved from the original IBM PC—the first
personal computer widely accepted for business
use.
Personal Computers
Microcomputers – Portable Computers
Portable computers are fully functioning
computers that are designed to be carried around
easily.
This portability makes them very flexible. They
can be used at home or in the office; they can
also be used at school, while on vacation, at off-
site meetings, and other locations.
Like mobile devices, portable computers are
designed to be powered by rechargeable
batteries so they can be used while on the go,
though many can be plugged into a power outlet
as well.
Portable Computers - Notebook
computers (Laptops)
These are computers that are about the size of
a paper notebook and open to reveal a screen
on the top half of the computer and a
keyboard on the bottom.
They are typically comparable to desktop
computers in features and capabilities. Very
thin and very light notebooks are increasingly
called Ultrabooks.
Laptops are designed to fit on your lap and
for easy transport
Notebook Computer (Also called Laptop)
Portable Computers - Tablets
Tablets are usually smaller than a laptop
but larger than a phone, a tablet is a thin,
lighter-weight portable computer that has
a touch screen this touchscreen can be
used by touch input or stylus
Like laptops, tablets run on batteries or a
power supply or both; however, batteries
in a tablet typically last longer than those
in laptops.
Tablet
Netbooks (also called mini-notebooks,
mini-laptops)
A netbooks are notebook computers that are
smaller (a 10-inch-wide screen is common),
lighter, less expensive, and have a longer
battery life than conventional notebooks, so
they are especially appropriate for students
and business travelers.
They often don’t include a CD or DVD
drive and they have a smaller keyboard than
a notebook computer.
Netbook (mini-laptop)
Microcomputers – Embedded Computers
These are tiny computers embedded into products
to perform specific functions or tasks for that
product.
Besides the ATM, computers are often embedded
into household appliances (such as dishwashers,
microwaves, ovens, coffeemakers, and so forth),
as well as into other everyday objects (such as
thermostats, answering machines, treadmills,
sewing machines, DVD players, and televisions),
to help those appliances and objects perform their
designated tasks
Embedded computers
Embedded computers
Microcomputers – Mobile Devices
A mobile device is loosely defined as a small
(typically pocket-sized) device that has built-
in computing or Internet capability.
Mobile devices are often based on a mobile
phone and can typically be used to make
telephone calls, send text messages (short text-
based messages), view Web pages, take digital
photos, play games, download and play music,
watch TV shows, and access calendars and
other personal productivity features
Mobile Devices - Smartphone
A Smartphone is a device that lets you
make telephone calls, but also adds in
features that, in the past, you would have
found only on a personal digital assistant
or a computer such as the ability to send
and receive e-mail and edit Office
documents, for example.
Typical features of a smartphone
There is no single industry accepted definition
of a Smartphone. However there are features
that are helpful in identifying one
Operating system – A smartphone will
feature an operating system such as Android,
Windows, Blackberry OS, IOS for apple
products etc.
Apps – Much as a typical phone will have
software such as a phonebook, a Smartphone
will have much more than the basic software. I
also enables one to download more software
applications
Typical features of a smartphone (cont.)
Web / Internet access - Smartphones can
access the Web at higher speeds, thanks to the
growth of 4G and 3G data networks, as well as
the addition of Wi-Fi support to many
handsets.
QWERTY Keyboard - A smartphone
includes a QWERTY keyboard. This means
that the keys are laid out in the same manner
they would be on your computer keyboard--
not in alphabetical order on top of a numeric
keypad like on an ordinary phone.
Typical features of a smartphone (cont.)
The keyboard can be hardware (physical keys
that you type on) or software (on a touch
screen, like you'll find on the iPhone).
Messaging / Email- All cell phones can send
and receive text messages, but what sets a
smartphone apart is its handling of e-mail.
A smartphone can sync with your personal
and, most likely, your professional e-mail
account.
Smartphone
Mobile Devices – Personal Digital
Assistant
Before the Smartphones of today was the
PDA in the 1990’s and early 2000’s
The personal digital assistant (PDA), also
known as a handheld PC, or personal data
assistant is a mobile device that functions
as a personal information manager.
A typical PDA has a touchscreen for
entering data, a memory card slot for data
storage, and IrDA, Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi
Typical features of a PDA
However, some PDAs may not have a
touchscreen, using softkeys, a directional pad,
and a numeric keypad or a thumb keyboard for
input
To have the functions expected of a PDA, a
device's software typically includes an
appointment calendar, a to-do list, an address
book for contacts, a calculator, and some sort of
memo (or "note") program. PDAs with wireless
data connections also typically include an email
client and a Web browser.
PDAs
Mobile Devices – Electronic Organizer
An electronic organizer (or electric
organizer) is a small calculator-sized
computer, often with an in-built diary
application but few other functions such
as an address book and calendar.
It normally has a small alphanumeric
keypad and an LCD screen of one, two or
three lines.
Electronic Organizer (cont.)
Because of the coming of personal digital
assistants, and later smartphones in the 2000s
and 2010s respectively, both of which have a
larger set of features, electronic organizers are
rarely seen today.
Key functionality
Telephone directory
Schedule keeper: Keep track of appointments
Alarm
Currency Conversion
Electronic Organizer (cont.)
Memo function: Store text data such as price lists,
airplane schedules, and more.
To do list: Keep track of daily tasks, checking off items
as you complete them.
World time: Find out the current time in virtually any
location on the globe.
Secret memory area: The secret memory area keeps
personal data private. Once a password is registered,
data is locked away until the password is used to access
the secret area.
Metric conversion function: Conversion between
metric units and another measurement unit.
Electronic Organizer
Gaming Devices / Video game consoles
A video game console is an electronic device
about the size of a dictionary that you attach
to a TV or monitor to play games.
Xbox and PlayStation are examples of video
game consoles, which contain embedded
computers and are dedicated to running game
software.
Video game consoles are larger versions of
handheld game devices and easily allow more
than one person to play at the same time.
Gaming Devices / Video game consoles
A video game console is a specialized
computer used to play video games.
The two most popular consoles are Sony's
PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox.
Nintendo's Wii is also a contender that
simulates physical participation in
activities such as bowling and playing
tennis.
Gaming Devices / Video game consoles
E – Book Readers
You use an e-book reader (also called an e-
reader) to download and read electronic
versions of printed books, magazines, and
newspapers.
Most e-book readers have touchscreens, though
some have buttons and a small touchpad you
use to navigate digital media.
E-book readers are usually smaller than a tablet,
but larger than a smartphone, and include a hard
drive with up to 4 GB of storage.
E – Book Readers (cont.)
Another notable difference is that instead of
using LCD screens, e-book readers use
electronic paper displays, which consume
less power and provide higher contrast in
bright lighting than LCDs.
Many e-book readers also offer backlights
to improve readability when the light is low.
Popular examples include the Amazon
Kindle
E-Book Reader
Portable Media Players
A portable media player is a mobile device
that can store digital media such as songs,
videos, and photos, typically on a small hard
drive.
Portable media players are also called MP3
players, a term that refers to the MP3 file
format used for many digital audio files
Most portable media players are smaller than
a smartphone, though one, the iPod Touch, is
the same size as the iPhone.
Portable Media Players
handheld game devices
A handheld game device is a mobile device
designed for a single video game player to use at
one time.
Many handheld game devices can connect to the
Internet and to other game devices so that the user
can play against others who are using their game
device at the same time.
About the size of a smartphone, these devices
include built-in screens, speakers, batteries, and
controls in one unit. Examples include the
Nintendo and PlayStation Portable (PSP)
handheld game device
Navigation Systems
A navigation system is a GPS receiver and
audio/video (AV) components designed for a
specific purpose such as a car-based or hand-held
device or a smartphone app.
This system enables the finding of direction in a
motor vehicle
Drivers can use in-vehicle portable navigation
devices to follow a route, find detours around
traffic problems and with additional software
receive traffic alerts and warnings on safety
camera locations.
The Global Positioning System (GPS)
The global positioning system (GPS) is a
24-satellite navigation system that uses
multiple satellite signals to find a
receiver’s position on earth.
GPS was developed by the U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD).
The technology was originally used for
military purposes
Applications of GPS
The most obvious application for GPS is
satellite navigation in vehicles, aircraft and
ships. It allows anyone with a GPS receiver
to pinpoint their speed and position on land,
air or sea, with incredible accuracy.
The emergency services, for instance, can
use GPS not only to find their way to an
incident quicker than ever before but also to
pinpoint the location of accidents and allow
follow-up staff to find the scene quickly
Minicomputers (also called Servers /
Midrange Computer)
A Minicomputer / server is a computer
dedicated to providing one or more services
to other computers or devices on a network.
A network is a collection of computers and
devices connected together.
Services provided by servers include storing
content and controlling access to hardware,
software, and other resources on a network.
Minicomputer / Servers
Mainframe Computer
A mainframe computer is a powerful
computer used by many large organizations—
such as hospitals, universities, large businesses,
banks, and government offices—that need to
manage large amounts of centralized data
Although Mainframes are not as powerful as
supercomputers, but certainly they are quite
expensive nonetheless, and many large firms &
government organizations uses Mainframes to
run their business operations
A Mainframe
Mainframe
Supercomputer
Some applications require extraordinary
speed, accuracy, and processing capabilities
—for example, sending astronauts into
space, controlling missile guidance systems
and satellites, forecasting the weather,
exploring for oil, breaking codes, and
designing and testing new products.
Supercomputers—the most powerful and
most expensive type of computer available—
were developed to fill this need.
Typical uses of Supercomputers
Space Exploration - Supercomputers are
used to study the origin of the universe,
the dark-matters.
Earthquake studies - Supercomputers
are used to study the Earthquakes
phenomenon. Besides that
supercomputers are used for natural
resources exploration, like natural gas,
petroleum, coal, etc.
Typical uses of Supercomputers (cont.)
Weather Forecasting - Supercomputers
are used for weather forecasting, and to
study the nature and extent of Hurricanes,
Rainfalls, windstorms, etc.
Nuclear weapons testing -
Supercomputers are used to run weapon
simulation that can test the Range,
accuracy & impact of Nuclear weapons.  
A Supercomputer
Buying a Computer
At some point, you will likely find
yourself in the market for a new
computer.
What type of computer should you buy?
What features are the most important?
Which performance measures matter the
most?
This section helps to answer those
questions.
Factors to Consider when buying a
Computer
The personal computer you decide to buy
depends on how you plan to use it, your
budget, and its value, which is the quality
of the computer’s features, construction,
and components compared to the price.
Computer usage is one of the most
important factors in a decision to purchase
a computer, and typically falls into the
following ranges
Types of Computer usage
Basic—You plan to use the computer occasionally
to perform tasks such as visiting Web sites,
exchanging e-mail, and creating word-processing
documents.
Intermediate—You plan to use the computer
frequently to perform a variety of tasks, including
playing games, watching videos, shopping online,
and using productivity software for word
processing, financial tracking, personal
information management, graphic design, and
other work-oriented or creative endeavors.
Types of Computer usage (cont.)
Advanced—You plan to use the computer to
perform tasks that require the maximum (or
near maximum) amounts available in
processing speed, memory usage, or storage
capacity, such as playing graphics-intensive
games that demand a lot of processing
power, watching high-definition movies
online, or producing many large files, such
as those containing photos or videos.
Evaluating system components and
features in a personal computer
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION MEASURED IN HOW TO
OR FEATURE EVALUATE
Processing speed Clock speed of gigahertz (GHz) The higher the
the CPU processing
speed, the better
the overall
performance.
Memory capacity Amount of RAM gigabytes (GB) Purchase as much
RAM as you
can afford and the
CPU can
handle.
Storage capacity Amount of data gigabytes (GB) As much as
the and terabytes possible; full hard
hard drive can (TB) drives
store slow computer
performance
Evaluating system components and
features in a personal computer (cont.)
When considering a personal computer to
purchase, you can select from four major
types.
In largest to smallest order, these are
desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and
smartphones, and they are discussed in the
earlier sections.
Summary
Computers are everywhere, and take many
forms. Computers are more than the PC on
your desk.
They are in your cars, your televisions, your
phones, and so many other places.
The smartphone is one current technology that
may end up having the biggest impact on our
lives.
It is important for you to know how to evaluate
a computer that you intend to purchase
References
Deborah Morley and Charles S. Parker
(2013) Understanding Computers Today
and Tomorrow - Chapter One