IT is Gr8! 1.1. Hardware Flashcards
factors influencing performance of a computer
CPU
Memory capacity
Cache
Storage speed
Network speed
Graphics processing ability
Bus performance
examples of mobile technologies
laptop and netbook
smartphone
tablet
e-reader
how can you connect a laptop to the network if there is no WiFi
attach 3G modem - work anywhere
what happened to netbooks?
never performed satisfactorily
pretty much vanished
advantages of laptops
powerful CPU
full-scale OS
expandable - use any range of existing computer peripherals
disadvantages of using a laptop
size - too large to be carried around all the time like mobile
battery life - too short to be useful as mobile
not always ‘on’ - sleep
no built-in cellular data - not always connected
advantages of using a smartphone
always ‘on’
always connected - built-in cellular data
convergence device
small size
built-in sensors
longer battery life
disadvantages of using a smartphone
mobile OS - not same full-scale productivity
input can be difficult
not easily expandable with peripherals
advantages of using a tablet
larger screens + bigger keyboards
longer battery life than laptops
disadvantages of using a tablet
mobile OS - same physical disadvantages as smartphone: not full-functioning, less capable, limited by capabilities of OS
full desktop OS - same physical disadvantages of laptop - battery, not always on
Two categories of e-readers
Single-purpose design
Tablet-based design
Single-purpose design
Kindle
Display text
Low powered
No other software
Tablet-based design
Kindle Fire
Full, colour, multimedia
Other software - not much developed
Advantages of dedicated (single-purpose) e-reader devices
Cheaper than other mobile tech
Smaller and lighter than tablet
Longer battery life
Easy to read in sunlight
Disadvantages of dedicated (single-purpose) e-readers
Single-purpose device
Extra item to carry
Is a laptop a mobile device
No, but it is portable
Advantages of mobility
Convenience
- combine functions (carry fewer)
- not time/location restricted
- achieves/produces more in less time
Future of computer trending towards
Always on
Always connected
Powerful
Convergent
Mobile (or even wearable)
What is always on?
Mobile technology - display off to save power
Fast + responsive
Ways to stay always connected
WiFi/cellular data (3G,4G,LTE) to INTERNET - access more than what on device storage
How does mobile tech compare to computers in terms of power?
Have mulit-core, 64 bit CPUs
Not as good
convergence
trend whereby separate technologies and functions from multiple devices are combined into a single multi-purpose device
Effect of convergence
Miniaturisation - mobile tech
Mobile means
Something that does not need to remain in one place or attached to wired connections such as power or communication cables
Examples of wearable technologies
Google Glass
Apple Watch
Smartwatches
Dont need to remember to bring - always on you
Constraints of mobile tech
Battery life
Speed and availability of communication
Size
What is the biggest limiting factor in mobile tech?
Battery life
Why is battery life shorter?
more powerful device - greater need for electricity - bigger battery/device
More powerful CPU - uses more electricity
Name one thing that uses a lot of power
Connection to network - uses radio-based communication tech
Also sensors, GPS, etc.
What does limited battery life mean for a device?
Access to chargers / spare batteries
Run out of power during day
Choose how to use device to limit use to conserve power
Trade-off of computing power and power consumption
How does speed and availability of communication limit mobile tech?
poor cellphone reception