Juvenile English Medium School - Nayeem Sir​

​ Phone: 01620605284

Unit - 1 Digital Devices

Types of digital devices & their features

What is a computer?
●​ A computer is an electronic device capable of taking an input, processing data,
storing information and providing an output
●​ Data that is input, is raw, unprocessed information
●​ Information is data that people understand

Mainframe computers & microprocessors

What is a mainframe computer?
●​ A mainframe computer is a computer with huge processing power and data storage
capabilities
●​ Built to handle enormous amounts of data and carry out complex calculations
●​ Designed to be secure, reliable and support large volumes of simultaneous users
●​ Carry out critical tasks for large organisations in sectors such as:
○​ Finance
○​ Health
○​ Government etc.

What is a microprocessor?
●​ A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC) that contains a central processing unit
(CPU)
●​ A microprocessor is embedded into devices to help them carry out tasks
●​ The microprocessor is responsible for executing instructions
●​ Microprocessors are used in a home to monitor and control devices such as:
○​ Central heating systems
○​ Security alarm systems
○​ Home entertainment system etc.

Laptops & desktop computers

What is a desktop computer?
●​ A desktop computer is a computer designed to stay in one place, for example on a
desk
●​ A desktop computer traditionally consists of a separate:
○​ Monitor
○​ Computer
○​ Keyboard & mouse
●​ Desktop computers are typically more powerful than mobile computers
●​ Desktop computers are upgradable, the parts can be replaced/changed to increase
performance
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​ Phone: 01620605284

Uses of desktop computers

Office & Business Education Gaming & entertainment

Word processing Online learning Online gaming

Financial modelling Research (www) Streaming music/film/TV

Email Content creation Social media

Data storage & backup Multimedia presentations Online browsing

Video/image editing Online collaboration

Project management Online communication

Video conferencing

What is a laptop computer?

●​ A laptop computer is a computer designed to be portable
●​ A laptop computer traditionally consists of built-in:
○​ Monitor
○​ Computer
○​ Keyboard & trackpad or touch screen keyboard & pointer
●​ Laptop computers are typically less powerful than desktop computers due to:
○​ Power constraints due to size
○​ Focus on extending battery life
●​ Laptop computers are not easily upgradable; components are integrated for size and
efficiency
●​ Laptop computers are battery-powered
●​ Some laptops are used as desktop replacementsAdvantages and disadvantages

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages Disadvantages

Easy to carry and use on the go Limited expandability (Difficult to upgrade

(Portability) hardware)

Access to internet and resources from Less powerful (Lower performance

anywhere (Flexibility) compared to desktop computers)

Can be used for various tasks and Shorter battery life (Needs frequent
activities (Multi-functionality) charging)
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​ Phone: 01620605284

Mobile phones & tablet devices

What is a mobile phone?
●​ A mobile phone is an ultra portable electronic device designed to be lightweight and
fit in a pocket or small bag
●​ Mobile phones are used to transmit information between people and devices using
radio waves
●​ Two examples of mobile phones are:
○​ Smartphones
○​ Specialist

Smartphones
●​ A smartphone is a versatile general purpose device
●​ Smartphones use subscriber identity module (SIM) cards to link the devices to a
network carrier, allowing them to make phone calls and send messages
●​ Smartphones include features such as:

Feature Description

●​ Quick communication
SMS messaging ●​ Messages are stored on the device and can be read at any time
●​ Use virtual keyboards and predictive text

●​ Simple voice communication

Phone calls
●​ Requires cellular reception

●​ Audio & visual communication via the internet

Voice over internet ●​ Requires extra apps installed on the devices
protocol (VoIP) ●​ Can make & receive calls via smartphone, tablet and computers
●​ Requires a forward facing camera for video calls

●​ Requires cellular reception to access on the move

Accessing the internet ●​ Web pages are optimised for smartphone access
●​ Automatically used Wi-Fi when in range and connected

Mobile payments ●​ Uses NFC

●​ Smartphones have built-in cameras for video calls

Camera
●​ Camera can act as a barcode scanner for QR codes

Specialist phone
●​ A specialist phone is designed for a particular groups of users or environment
●​ They prioritise specific features over general purpose use
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●​

Example Specialist features

●​ Larger buttons
●​ Easy to read displays
Senior phones ●​ Simplified user interface
●​ Emergency alert buttons
●​ Hearing aid compatibility

●​ Brightly coloured
●​ Robust
Children's phones ●​ Child friendly interface
●​ Limited app access
●​ Parental controls

●​ Designed for tough environments

●​ Thick screens
●​ Rugged outer casing
●​ Built to withstand:
Rugged phones
○​ Water submersion
○​ Dust
○​ Extreme temperatures
○​ Drops

What is a tablet device?

●​ A tablet is a general purpose device that sits between a laptop and a
smartphone
●​ A quick comparison shows:

Feature Smartphone Tablet

Size Ultra portable, designed to fit in Portable but the larger screen means
a pocket they require a bag or case to carry
around

Focus Communication (calls, texts, Entertainment & productivity (games,

mobile data), camera for reading, watching movies)
capturing images & videos

Power & Carry out everyday tasks but Typically more powerful than a
performance may lack power for demanding smartphone but not as powerful as a
applications or tasks laptop, more processing power &
RAM.

Battery life Due to battery size they usually Typically longer battery life depending
require charging more often on usage
than a tablet
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Other digital devices:

Device Description Features

Cameras & Uses light sensors ●​ Lens - High quality lens allows light to pass
camcorders to capture images through without defects
formed by light ●​ Image processor - Compensates for poor
passing through a lighting
lens ●​ Sensors - Capture detail, more pixels are
produced

Games Specialised PC for ●​ Powerful processors & graphics for high

console playing video quality smooth gameplay
games ●​ Online capability
●​ Controllers for interactivity

Home Hub for connecting ●​ Connects TVs, speakers and media

entertainment audio and video players together
systems devices ●​ Receiver processes audio and video
signals
●​ Can provide immersive experience
(surround sound)

Media players A device for ●​ Connects to TVs or speakers for playback

multimedia ●​ Plays different media such as Blu-ray, DVD
playback ●​ Portable media players for on the go

Multifunctional devices
What is a multifunctional device?
●​ A multifunctional device is a device designed to carry out a wide range of
tasks
●​ Multifunctional devices combine functions that would usually be separate
●​ Examples of multifunctional devices include:
○​ Smartphones - Communication, photography, gaming, media
playback/streaming, web browsing all in one device
○​ Printers - Printing, copying and scanning in one device
○​ Smart TVs - Watch TV, connect to the internet, stream content

What is convergence?
●​ Convergence is the merging of technologies that would usually be separate
●​ Convergence led to the rise of smartphones
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​ Phone: 01620605284

Features of digital devices

What are the features of digital devices?
The most common features of a digital device are:
Portability Performance Storage User interface Security
features

Connectivity Media support Energy Expansion

consumption capability

Feature Description

Portability How easy is the device to carry around

Performance Processing power/memory (RAM)

Storage How much data can the device hold

Connectivity How can the device connect to other devices

Media support What media formats can the device play

Energy How much energy does the device consume

consumption

Expansion Can more storage, memory or other features be added

capability

Security features What security features does the device have to help protect
device and user data

What is a user interface?

●​ A user interface is how the user interacts with the operating system
●​ Examples of user interfaces include:
○​ Command Line Interface (CLI)
○​ Graphical User Interface (GUI)
○​ Menu
○​ Natural language (NLI)
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What is a command line interface?

●​ A Command Line Interface (CLI) requires users to interact with the operating
system using text based commands
●​ CLIs are more commonly used by advanced users
●​ Examples of CLIs are MSDOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) and Raspbian (for
Raspberry Pi)

What is a graphical user interface?

●​ A Graphical User Interface (GUI) requires users to interact with the operating
system using visual elements such as windows, icons, menus & pointers
(WIMP)
●​ GUIs are optimised for mouse and touch gesture input
●​ Examples of GUIs are Windows, Android and MAC OS

What is a menu interface?

●​ A menu interface is successive menus presented to a user with a single
option at each stage
●​ Often performed with buttons or a keypad
●​ Examples include
○​ Chip and pin machines
○​ Vending machines
○​ Entertainment streaming services

What is a natural language interface?

●​ A natural language interface (NLI) uses the spoken word to respond to
spoken or textual inputs from a user
●​ Examples include
○​ Virtual assistants - Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
○​ Search engines
○​ Smart home devices

Digital device comparison

Feature Desktop Laptop Smartphone

Portability ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Storage ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Media support ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
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​ Phone: 01620605284

Energy
consumption
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Expansion
capability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Security features ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
User interface Keyboard & Keyboard & touchpad Touchscreen
mouse (touchscreen on some
laptops)

Connectivity Multiple, wide Most common ports Wireless

variety of ports available but fewer (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth)
(USB, HDMI etc.) number

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