Unit 1 LO! - Types of Computers Flashcards
Name the different types of computer systems.
Desktop/server
Tablet/hybrid
Smartphone
Embedded system/Internet of Things (e.g. cars, home appliances, etc.)
Mainframe
Quantum
Desktop / server computer system example
Individual Computers - such as screen,keyboard,mouse, with a case which contains the motherboard,CPU,power supply, hard drives,optical drives and connectors and expansion cards.
Function and overview of desktop/server computer system.
A single screen and case which incorporates the motherboards and everything else.
It allows the user to carry out a range of activities including document creations, data manipulation, game playing, design and communication facilities for personal or business purposes.
Desktop PCs
Contains individual components
Usually cheaper to upgrade
Components can be swapped out
All in one PCs
Single screen and case
Save space/ less wires
Easily moved around
More expensive to purchase
More difficult to fix
Advantages of Tablet/hybrid
mouse is swapped for a touch pad or touch screen
Many modem laptops can be folded back turning them into a tablet
Limitations of a Tablet/hybrid
Screen size can be restrictive
Higher rate of stolen laptops vs desktops
What do smartphones do?
Run applications,send and receive emails,take photographs and videos,record sounds,act as a GPS system.
Disadvantages of smartphones
Security - issue as an unlocked phone allows anyone to access the data.
Hinder human interactions
Examples of embedded computer systems
Cars -adjust the engine settings / unlock or lock the doors / GPS / identify the problems.
IoT - global network of connected objects
RFID - tiny computer chip which holds information that is transmitted when it passes close to a scanning antenna.
Connectivity - ability to connect with another computer - animals with microchip collars /internal working of human body.
Overview of mainframe computers
Computers that are designed to solve scientific and engineering problems that require complex calculations or the manipulation, collection and storage of large amounts of data.They have rigorous backup capabilities and component redundancy, which means if one component fails others will take its place to keep the system running.
They are very expensive because they require teams of experts to oversee them.
They are used by banks, credit card companies and airlines.
Overview of quantum computers
Still very experimental
They work with quantum bits (qubits)
Qubits are not limited to two states (0,1)
Qubits represent atomic particles such as electrons and photons
These can be in several states at the same time
Quantum computers will be able to carry out data manipulations many million times more quickly than current computers
