1.1.
1 Types of Computers
Information and Communication
Technology
Day 1
Computers
This section will take a look at the different types of computers. You will also see
different types of computers including their uses, advantages and disadvantages.
Defination of a computer:
• This is a device that accept information and then manipulate it to produce a result.
• It allows us to perform many different tasks from gaming to complicated calculations.
The main types of modern computers:
Personal computer (Desk Top)
Laptop
Tablet computer
Phablet computer
Smart phone
Smart Watch
Key Concepts of this section:
Understand the uses of different types of computers and be able to identify them
Be able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of each different type of
computer
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Mainframes
They are the largest and expensive
computers. They are used in large
organizations for processing huge amounts of
data or to control massive networks of
computers. They use more than one processor
Uses
To run commercial applications, such as banking
and insurance.
Process huge amounts of data very fast.
Perform millions and millions of
calculations per second
Run and manage huge networks
Expensive to buy and to run.
Very large, difficult to transport (room size)
Generate a lot of heat [need air-
conditioned rooms]
Need a high-level of training.
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Desktop PC
These computers are found in homes and in
schools/ business offices. They are made up
of separate monitor, keyboard, mouse and
system unit.
Uses
school work, gaming, household accounts,
internet access and emailing
Full size keyboard is easier to use (big)
Casing allows for heat to escape.
Tend to have better specifications.
Easier to upgrade (can add components)
Better view (Bigger screens)
Need constant main power supply.
Not portable (separate components).
Wiring clusters up desk space.
Necessary to copy files (not portable)
Flat surface is needed to move mouse.
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Laptop / Notebook Computer
Refers to computer where monitor, keyboard,
pointing devices and processor together in a
single unit. All in one so easy to move. They are
almost as powerful as a desktops have LCD
screens which use low-power
Uses
School Work, Gaming, Household Accounts,
Internet Access and Emailing
Portable (all components are in one unit)
No trailing of wires
Come with built-in WI-FI and Bluetooth
Come with built-in Web Cam
Can work without electricity (charge battery)
Limited battery life ( needs to recharge)
Hard to use (smaller keyboards)
Harder to upgrade (soldered components )
Prone to theft – (portable and can hide)
Get hotter than a desktop PC (compact)
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Tablet Computers - (7” up)
Small, hand-held, mobile computers. They are
light and compact so easily transported. They
use stylus pens to draw directly on the screen.
They slots for SIM cards for making calls.
Uses
Satellite navigation, E-Book reader, T.V
remote control, Weather forecasting etc.
Smaller and lighter (portable).
Have touchscreen to draw images
Built-in cameras. (rear and front)
Built-in WIFI and Bluetooth
Longer battery life (than laptops)
Less storage space than laptops and PC
Not as powerful as a laptop and PC
Digital on-screen keyboard harder to use
Touchscreen difficult to use detailed work
Harder to upgrade and repair
Smaller screen than laptop/PC
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Phablet Computers (5” - 7”)
PHone tABLET = phablets. They are
smartphones with at least a 5” screen. Today,
most smartphones are phablets. They have slots
for SIM cards which allows it to make phone
calls.
Uses
Satellite navigation, E-Book reader, T.V remote
control, FM radio, SMS Functions, Bluetooth,
Weather forecasting etc.
Smaller and lighter (portable).
Better view than smartphones (bigger screen)
Bigger storage than smartphones
Built-in cameras. (clear rear and front)
Built-in WIFI and Bluetooth for connection.
Less storage space than laptops and desktop
Less powerful than laptop (processing speed)
Digital on-screen keyboard harder to use.
They are also harder to upgrade.
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Smart phones - (less than 5”
Smart phones have touchscreens and either use
on-screen keyboards or have a very small physical
keyboard. They are light, pocket sized computers.
Their built-in Features:
• Cameras , -Sound Recorders, -Calendars, -GPS
Navigation, -WI-FI, Bluetooth, - Word Processers, -
Spreadsheet, Etc.
Uses
Internet Access, Multimedia, Running Apps,
Phone Calls , Messages, E-Book reader etc.
Small computer (fit in pocket).
Have integrated physical/on-screen keyboards.
Cheaper than most tablets.
More practical for use day-to-day use.
Easiest type to use when on the move.
Not as powerful as a tablet (processing speed)
Poor display (Small screen).
Very small (easy to misplace or get stolen)
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
Smart Watch
These are mini-computer that users wear on their
wrists. They use touchscreens technology and
offer the same functions as a smartphone. They
can also be link to smartphones using Bluetooth
technology.
Uses
Satellite navigation, E-Book reader, FM radio, SMS,
Bluetooth, Digital Cameras, Weather forecasting,
Calendars, Sound Recorders.
Mostly used by Athletes, travelers.
Smallest computer (put on wrist).
Have touchscreen keyboards.
Cheaper than most modern computers
Easy to use for monitoring fitness and health.
Least powerful computers.
Very small [misplace or get stolen]
Digital on-screen keyboard harder to use
Can be uncomfortable to wear (bigger watch)
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
THE END
Thanking you for listening
USED RESOURCES:
Websites Resource Text Books
www.ictlounge.com
www.igcseict.info
https://www.igcsepro.org/
www.yahmad.co.uk
www.znotes.org
mrlawsonsclassroom.weebly.com ›
https://ictlis.wixsite.com/ict123
/theory-revison
B. Ngwenya BBDN – Academics IGCSE - ICT
Year 2020
