CHAPTER ELEVEN

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTERS

11.4.1.2. Types of Pcs

Basically, there are different types of personal computers. The common ones are:

  1. Tower
  2. Laptop/notebook
  3. Netbooks
  4. Ebooks
  5. PDA/Handheld

a. Tower

Tower PCS are those group of computers that are found in our schools, homes etc. They are usually plced on the table. Below is the pcture of tower or desk top PC.

b. Laptops

Laptops or notebooks are small sized PCs preferred by students and business people. It has same power, memory with the tower or desk top computers. The advantage of notebooks is that they can conserve power for three to ten hours. Below is the picture of the laptop.

c. Net books

The Netbooks are smaller than the notebooks. They are specifically used for browsing only. Their battery life is generally longer than a notebook. Below is the picture of Netbook.

d. Ebooks readers

eBooks are slow portable computers used  for the display of text. They have very long (1 week) battery life, since they do not display color images or movies. Below is the picture of an Ebook computer


e. Smart phones

Smartphone generally has a cell phone "base" to which many other useful capabilities are added, such as the ability to browse the Internet, create documents and spreadsheets, listen to music, manage social networks through various applications, and take pictures. Smartphones have either mini-keyboard keypads or a touch screen installed on. This enables the user to type documents.

Uses

Some of the uses of the Smartphones are:

    1. Typing documents
    2. Browsing
    3. Phone calls
    4.  Create documents and spreadsheets,
    5.  listen to music
    6. Manage social networks through various applications
    7. Take pictures.

f. PDA Devices

A PDA device performs similar functions as a Smartphone, but without the phone capabilities. Users cannot use PDAs to make calls or exchange text messages.

Uses

Some of the uses of the PDA Devices are:

  1. Chatting
  2. Sending emails
  3. Receive email
  4. Organizing personal programs- the creation of documents, keeping records, schedules note taking rather than media like a camera or music player.

g. Embedded computers

Embedded computer are group of computers found in certain devices or machines, like car memory box, microwave oven etc. These computers work inside electronic gadgets. That means you cannot see them. Typically do not require a monitor or keyboard.

EXERCISE 

State and discuss the uses of early counting devices
Describe the different types of mechanical counting and calculating devices Describe the different types of electro-mechanical counting devices
Describe the different types of electronic counting device and modern computer Discuss the various stages of the evolution of personal computers
What are personal computers? List th different types of personal computers.                                   

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