1.
1 Types of computers
Unit 1: Types and components of computer systems
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Learning objectives:
▶ Describe the characteristics and uses of a desktop computer
▶ Describe the characteristics and uses of mobile computers
▶ Describe advantages and disadvantages of the different types of
computer including portability and expandability
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Desktop/ personal computer
▶ It is also known as personal computer or general purpose computer.
▶ It has various standard components such as a tower, monitor,
keyboard, mouse, processor and storage.
▶ Users can create and store documents, play games, create
music/video/ photographic content, etc.
▶ Standalone machine is a computer and any other related resources
that being used as an isolated workstation.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Uses of a desktop computer
▶ Office and business management
▶ Education
▶ Gaming
▶ Entertainment
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Desktop/ personal computer
Advantages Disadvantages
Spare parts are standardised, They are heavy and have
so they are cheap. separate components, so lack
of portability.
They have faster processors
than laptops. Files have to be copied and
stored on portable disks to
Due to larger size, there are transfer files externally.
fewer overheating problems
compared to laptops.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Mainframe computer
▶ It is extremely large computers used in organisations
such as banks and government departments.
▶ It requires to process very large amounts of data in the
organisations.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Mainframe computer
Advantages
Able to process very
big jobs that requires Disadvantages
large memories and Mainframes can take up almost
fast processor speeds. whole room due to the large size.
Complex to set up.
Capable of complex
problem- solving that
would take smaller Expensive to operate and maintain.
computers much longer
to do. They require specialist staff to
operate them.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Mobile computers
▶ Laptop computers
▶ Smartphones
▶ Tablet
▶ Phablet computers
▶ PDAs
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
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Uses of mobile computers
▶ Office and business management
▶ Education
▶ Gaming
▶ Entertainment
▶ Remotely controlled devices
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Laptop computers/ notebooks
▶ All components are fitted together in a single unit.
▶ They offer the same processing capabilities as desktop computers.
▶ They are portable unlike desktop computers.
▶ They can be moved from one work area to another.
▶ They take up little space compared to desktop computers.
▶ The ability to upgrade or add extra components will be a problem.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Laptop computers/ netbooks
Advantages Disadvantages
▶ Portability. ▶ Can lead to theft and loss.
▶ Users can work anywhere ▶ Battery life is limited.
especially access through Wi-Fi ▶ Keyboards and pointing devices
and link to other media.
are not flexible compared to
desktop computers.
▶ Overheating can be a problem
even laptops are more
compact.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Tablet
▶ It is small portable computer like a laptop.
▶ The big difference is the user interface is all through touch.
▶ It has slightly smaller screens than an average laptop.
▶ It has no mouse or keyboard.
▶ Users can swipe, pinch, drag and rotate icons on screen to activate
tasks, control the cursor and input data.
▶ It is quick to switch on and ready for use.
▶ Uses: entertainment while on the move, read newspapers/ magazine,
internet browsing, play games, watch TV programmes/ films.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Tablet computers
Advantages Disadvantages
▶ Portable and easy to use. ▶ Not all have 3G/4G access.
▶ Quick to switch on. ▶ Touch screen typing can be
▶ Thousands of downloadable difficult.
applications available. ▶ Cannot make phone calls.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
▶ It is a small handheld computers with a touch screen.
▶ Some have traditional keyboards behind or underneath the screen.
▶ Others will display a keyboard on the screen.
▶ Some use handwriting recognition software to input text.
▶ It is developed quickly from sophisticated diaries into small and
powerful computers with GPS, mobile phone capability and other
software.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Advantages
Extremely portable as it is fit into
pockets and bags.
Disadvantages
There are bigger screens than The keyboards are very small,
mobile phones. so it is difficult to type data
quickly.
They have web and email
Screen size makes it difficult
connectivity.
to read long documents.
It is designed for organising Versions of software that have
information such as diary, limited range of functions
calendar, alarm clock, address make it difficult to complete
book, etc. tasks effectively.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Smartphones
▶ Smartphones are advanced mobile phone with the combination of PDA
functions and other features.
▶ Features of smartphones are:
Web browsers
High-resolution touch screens
GPS navigation
Wi-Fi access
▶ Smartphones are used as media players and cameras also.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Smartphones
Advantages Disadvantages
▶ Able to access data online. ▶ Expensive due to long-term contract with internet
access.
▶ Better web browsing capability
▶ Some webpages may not display or function fully
than a simple mobile phone.
compared to desktop computer.
▶ Can accomplish many tasks at ▶ The keyboards are very small, so it is difficult to
work or at home. type data quickly.
▶ Contact details and phone ▶ Screen size makes it difficult to read long
numbers can be integrated. documents.
▶ Versions of software that have limited range of
functions make it difficult to complete tasks
1.1 Types of computers
effectively.
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
Phablet computers
▶ A phablet is a large phone with a screen size of between 4.5 and
10 inches.
▶ Because of its size, it looks like a big phone or a small tablet.
▶ It functions both as a tablet and a smartphone.
1.1 Types of computers
ICT Year 9, Mr Ong & Ms Farah
