Computer Timeline:
Mainframes: A mainframe is a large, powerful computer that can process a large amount of data and can execute billions of instructions in seconds.They are usually connected to a large number of peripherals e.g. printers, terminals, disk drives etc. They cost 4 million pounds and are used by banks, police, utility companies,airlines and Insurance to process bills, tickets, cancellations, customer accounts, storing and processing crime files and processing claims and policies.
PC computers: Are very powerful and are not very expensive. You will find machines like these both at home or office environments.They can carry out thousands of information and can hold lots of information from 120MB-TB. They often are set up and left in place so you can not take them out with you. They are used for:
- Running office applications such as word processors, spreadsheets and databases
- For CAD design such as designing kitchens
- Editing videos
- Creating and playing music
- Accessing the Internet for research, work and entertainment
Laptops:A laptop is a portable computer which is mobile and small enough to carry around with you. They can be used on your lap or on desks or tables. Most laptops have a keyboard which is often smaller in size than a keyboard on a PC. They also have a touch pad and buttons next to the keyboard which can be used in place of a mouse used on PC. They have the screen attached to the base of it which folds down and protects it. Laptops have a powerful battery inside which means they can be used anywhere. If the battery is flat, the laptop can still be used if you plug it into a electric socket . Modern laptops are as powerful as personal computers. They have as much power, the same amount of memory and large hard disks. All of the software that you would use on a PC can also be installed on a laptop.
Netbooks: are much smaller in size and weight than a laptop. They still have an keyboard , touchpad and attached screen but they are specifically designed to be ultra lightweight and small enough to carry in one hand. Netbooks are typically around 10 inches in size but they are becoming increasingly smaller as technology advances.Unlike a laptop, they may not have a hard disk to store the operating system, applications and data. Instead they may use flash memory however some netbooks do have a hard disk. This means that they don't have as much storage capacity.Also, they may have less RAM than a laptop. This means that they may be slightly slower at processing data than a laptop or PC, but you are unlikely to notice the difference. The difference is when data-intensive such as games.
Smartphones:Quite recently the mobile phone have advanced and become what is called a 'smartphone'. These are truly great devices that can do many different functions. They can do all that mobiles can do but also so much more.They also contain GPS chips to pick up your exact location and touch screen technology.There are apps that tell you the name of any song just by 'listening' to a few bars of music, apps to find out what is on at your local cinema, apps that track your exercise and calories, games, video players, joke generators.Your phone know can contain anything you need.
- Embedded computer : Is a chip that contains all of the elements that a essential for any computer. For instance you need: ROM, RAM, Input, Output and clock.Another term often used for an embedded computer is a 'micro controller'. This is because the main purpose of an embedded computer is to control something.
PDA: Its real name is a Personal Digital Assistant. It is used to keep track of meetings, appointments,birthday,it also stores names,addresses,telephone numbers and emails. It can also synchronize these details with your desktop and laptop. The PDA also can browse the internet and send and receive emails. Disadvantages are that they are small and can be lost easily and have a small keypad so some people cant use them.
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