YEAR 10 ICT CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer Systems

1.4 Types of Computer

Desktop Computers
• Desktop usually refers to a general-purpose computer that is made up of a separate
monitor, keyboard, mouse, and processor unit. It is distinguished from, for example, a
laptop computer by the fact that it is made up of several separate components, which
makes it not very portable.
• Uses:
1. office and business work
2. educational use
3. general entertainment
4. gaming device
• Advantages:
1. They are easier and less costly to upgrade and expand.
2. Spare parts are standardized, which makes them cheaper.
3. They tend to have better specifications for a given price.
4. No critical power consumption because they plug into a wall socket.
5. Due to fixed positions, they are less likely to be damaged or stolen.
6. As they usually have wired connections, they have more stable internet access.
• Disadvantages:
1. They are not particularly portable because they are made up of separate components.
2. More complicated because all the components need to be hooked up by wiring, which
also clutters up the desk space.
3. Because they aren’t portable, files must be copied to another portable storage device to
take work elsewhere.
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Mobile Computers
1. Laptop computer:
• (Or notebook) refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing
device and processor are all together in one unit. This makes them extremely portable.
lightweight (to aid portability). Low power consumption (and also long battery life). Low
heat output (cooling is very important).
• Uses:
1. office and business work
2. educational use
3. used as a gaming device.
4. general entertainment

• Advantages:
1. Portability: all components are in a single unit, so they can be taken anywhere.
2. Because of one single unit, there are no trailing wires and desk clutter.
3. take up much less room on a desk, so they can be easily used in public spaces.
4. portability allows them to take full advantage of Wi-Fi features.
• Disadvantages:
1. portability makes it easier for them to be stolen.
2. limited battery life means the user needs to carry a charger at all times.
3. keyboards and pointing devices may be awkward to use.
4. not easy to upgrade, like adding more RAM.

2. Smartphones:
• Allow normal phone calls to be made, but also have an operating system (such as iOS,
Android, or Windows), allowing them to run a number of computer applications
(known as apps or applets). Smartphones communicate with the internet either by
using Wi-Fi hot spots or by using 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks.
• Uses:
1. They allow users to send/receive emails.
2. They allow users to use a number of apps.
3. They allow users to use a camera feature (to take photos or videos).
4. They allow users to use an MP3/4 player (for music and videos).
• Advantages:
1. very small in size and lightweight, makes them portable.
2. connecting to the internet while on the move.
3. because they use Wi-Fi and mobile phone networks, they can be used almost anywhere.
4. they have apps which can tell instant location, which is a feature that isn’t available in
either desktops or laptops.
5. they have reasonable battery life.
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• Disadvantages:
1. small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read.
2. more difficult and slower when typing things in.
3. Web browsing and photography can quickly drain the battery.
4. Memory size in most phones is not very large when compared to laptops and desktops.
5. Not all website features are compatible with smartphone operating systems.
6. Because of their small size, it is much easier to lose a smartphone or for it to be stolen
compared to laptops or desktops.
7. The data transfer rate using mobile phone networks can be slower than with Wi-Fi.

3. Tablets:
• They work similarly to a smartphone. The only main difference is that they are
somewhat bigger in size as compared to a smartphone.
• Uses:
1. They allow users to send/receive emails.
2. They allow users to use a number of apps.
3. They allow users to use a camera feature (to take photos or videos).
4. They allow users to use an MP3/4 player (for music and videos).
• Advantages of tablets compared to laptops:
1. very fast to switch on (no time delay waiting for the operating system to load up).
2. fully portable – they are so lightweight that they can be carried anywhere.
3. touch screen technology means they are simple to use and don’t need any other input
devices.
4. not much heat, they use solid-state technology.
5. The battery life of a tablet is a lot longer.
6. when the power button is pressed, it goes into standby but remains connected to the
internet so the user still hears alerts when emails or other ‘events’ are received.
• Disadvantages of tablets compared to laptops:
1. tend to be rather expensive when compared to laptops.
2. they often have limited memory/storage when compared to a laptop.
3. typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone compared to a standard
keyboard.
4. laptops tend to support more file formats than tablets.
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4. Phablets:
• Some of the latest smartphones have been designed as a hybrid between a tablet and a
smartphone, referred to as a phablet. They have much larger screens than a smartphone but
are smaller than a tablet.

• Uses:
o Entertainment (streaming of music, videos, and television programs).
o Gaming (including group games).
o As a camera or video camera.
o Internet use (online sales, social networks, using QR codes, and so on).
o Sending/receiving emails.
o Global positioning system (use of maps to navigate to a location).
o Calendar functions.
o Telephone banking (sending and receiving money using banking apps).
o Voice over Internet Protocol: telephone network using the internet, which also allows
video calling.
o Instant access to social networks (social contact with friends no matter where you are in
the world).
o Instant messaging.
o Office and business management (allows rapid voice and video communication).
o Education use (using interactive software to teach or learn from).
o Remotely control devices.

Laptops are the most expandable of these devices, while smartphones are the most
portable. Tablets and phablets fall somewhere in between, offering a balance of portability
and expandability. The choice of device will depend on your specific needs and use case.
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5. Smart Watch

A smartwatch is a portable device that's designed to be worn on a wrist.

Uses:

• Checking SMS
• Making/receiving a phone call
• Checking the time Use appointments/calendar
• Taking pictures
• Record sound
• Tracking Health conditions (steps, sleeping, heartbeat etc.)

Advantage

• More accessible/portable as it is on the wrist

• Less chance of being lost/stolen/forgotten
• Less chance of it being dropped as it is fastened to the wrist
• Can access simple apps easier for example heart rate/timer

Disadvantage

• Smaller screen size therefore difficult to see

• More difficult to enter the data
• More difficult to access detailed apps for example, email
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