P2 – Describe the purpose of different types of computer systems

Types of computer systems Lynda Spencelayh Types of computer systems describe the purpose of at least three different types of computer systems. You can choose three from following: PC, base unit, laptop, net book, PDA, mobile phone, games console, tablet, server, embedded devices (inside phones, domestic appliances, cars) You should describe the purpose and a short description of their key features. Where & when it may be used, who is the user, what it might be used for.

Different types of computer systems Lynda Spencelayh Different types of computer systems There are many different types of computer systems, but each one generally falls into one of three categories. Personal Computers – designed for one person to use at a time including desktops, laptops, netbooks, PDA’s, mobile phones, games consoles and tablet. Servers – control networks and other devices Embedded systems – hidden inside other machines such as televisions

Lynda Spencelayh Desktop computer The familiar desktop personal computer is built around a base unit which maybe designed as a tower or desktop unit. The base unit houses all the internal parts of the computer system, such as the processor, RAM and disk drives, and also has external ports which allow it to be connected to other devices.

Lynda Spencelayh Desktop computer A number of peripheral devices, such a mouse, screen, keyboard and printer, are connected to the base unit. In an office, a desktop will normally be linked into a local network and, through that, to the internet. In a home a desktop will usually be connected to a broadband internet connection and may be linked into a home Wi-Fi system A mouse is the most common pointing device in a desktop system.

Lynda Spencelayh Laptop The components that sit in the base unit of a desktop are hidden away in the slim body of a laptop. It usually does not have as many facilities and ports as a desktop, but additional devices can be plugged in. Most laptops provide a touchpad as a pointing device, as an alternative to a mouse. Laptops can be plugged into a docking station on a desk. This has a full range of ports so that the laptop can be used with a full size screen and keyboard, a mouse, a local network and a broadband internet connection.

Lynda Spencelayh Notebook and netbook Notebooks and netbooks are small laptops. They usually less powerful than standard laptops, but are cheaper and easier to carry around. All notebooks and netbooks have Wi-Fi interfaces and are designed to be used for web browsing and email.

Personal digital assistant [PDA] Lynda Spencelayh Personal digital assistant [PDA] A personal digital assistant [PDA] is a very small handheld device also know as a palmtop computer. The small screen size limits its capabilities to some extent. Many use touchscreens for input. Most PDAs provide Wi-Fi access for web and email use. Some are now combined with a mobile phone, and can use 3G networks to access the internet. Most users link PDAs to a personal computer on a daily basis, so that they can synchronise data, such as emails and entries in a calendar

Lynda Spencelayh Smart phone Smart phones are mobile phones that have many of the functions of a PDA. In addition they normally have a digital camera and the facility to play audio files. Although most smart phones have a numerical keyboard, some offer a full keyboard. Others use touchscreens which can function as keyboards when required.

Lynda Spencelayh Games console Small handheld games consoles have a built in screen and input buttons. Many have touchscreens Larger games consoles usually link to a television to provide a screen joysticks and other game controllers are built into the console. Additional devices with remote sensors can as well as also be connected. These consoles usually offer internet access so that videos can be downloaded and played as well as games.

Lynda Spencelayh Tablet A tablet computer is a type of laptop with a large touch screen, which replaces the keyboard. Some tablets are specifically designed for reading e-books, while others can be used for a wide range of purposes, such as inputting data and signatures into a form or drawing design sketches for a customer.

Lynda Spencelayh Server Any personal computer can be connected into a network. A small network of two or three computers in an office or home does not require any additional computers. But the task of managing a large network requires a powerful computer known as a server. A server has several storage devices [hard disk drives] and a means of connection to all the computers in the network.

Lynda Spencelayh Embedded devices Computer systems are also hidden away inside many other kinds of machine. They all need a processor, plus some form of input and output, but these don’t need to take the form of keyboard, mouse and screen. These hidden computer systems are known as embedded systems, and they can be found in music systems, cars, [Global positioning systems GPS] games consoles, phones and domestic appliances, such as DVD players and washing machines. Most embedded systems have a very user friendly interfaces and are dedicated to preforming specific functions.