Types of Computer system

Question 1

Types of computer systems

Answer 1

desktop/server
tablet/hybrid
smartphone
embedded systems
mainframe
quantum

Question 2

Desktop

Answer 2

• personal computer designed to fin conveniently on top of a typical office desk

Question 3

Desktop + and -

Answer 3

+ lots of memory space, easy to upgrade, fast processors, no battery, cheaper than laptop/tablet
- need keyboard, mouse and monitor, not portable, can be noisy, large and heavy

Question 4

Server

Answer 4

a computer or computer program which manages access to a centralised resource or service in a network.

Question 5

Server + and -

Answer 5

+ all files stored in central location, network peripherals controlled centrally, backups + network security controlled centrally, users can access shared data which is managed centrally
- specialist OS needed, expensive to buy, specialist staff needed, if any part of network fails, a lot of disruption can occur

Question 6

Tablet

Answer 6

wireless, portable personal computer with touchscreen interface

Question 7

Tablet + and -

Answer 7

+ portable, lightweight, long battery

- hardware prone to damage, high cost, screen size smaller than a computer, less number of ports

Question 8

Hybrid

Answer 8

• convertible, like a regular notebook, but has a removable display which functions independently as a slate
• easily converts into an ordinary laptop

Question 9

Hybrid + and -

Answer 9

+ image editing more precise and intuitive than painting with a mouse, allows easier entry of diagrams and etc, touch environment more convenient than keyboard or mouse
- higher cost than regular tablets, high risk of screen damage, hinge risk, handwriting or typing on virtual keyboard can be slower than typing on normal keyboard

Question 10

Smartphone

Answer 10

cellular telephone with an integrated computer and various features not usually associated with telephones such as, OS, web browsing and ability to run software apps

Question 11

Smartphone + and -

Answer 11

+ GPS can be used to locate new places, more convenient for checking: emails, social media and allows you to carry out a wide range of tasks when on the go
- accidents whilst driving, less face to face interaction, more efficient smartphones are expensive and addictive and spending too much time on them can make you socially isolated

Question 12

Embedded systems

Answer 12

• A specialized computer system that is part of a larger system or machine
• TV, washing machines, mobile phones and cars have these

Question 13

Embedded systems + and -

Answer 13

+ need low power to operate, small systems are portable, small in size as they’re designed for a specific role also reduction is costs as it has less components than a computer

Question 14

Mainframe

Answer 14

-a data processing system employed mainly in large organisations for many apps, including large data processing, process control, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning also financial transaction processing

Question 15

Mainframe + and -

Answer 15

+ ability to process data and run apps at high speeds, supported by large numbers of high-power processors, reliable (detects, reports and self recovers from system problems)
- hardware and software are expensive, occupies more space than other computers and can’t operate a mainframe environment without specific training

Question 16

Quantum

Answer 16

• a computer design which uses the principles of quantum physics to increase the computational power beyond what’s possible by an ordinary computer
• have been built on the small scale and work continues to upgrade them to more practical models

Question 17

Quantum + and -

Answer 17

+ advances in security, increase in computing power and teleportation
- impossible to copy qubits, repeated runs may be needed to get desired result