Hardware
The term hardware refers to the physical components of your computer such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc. In other words, hardware are things you can physically touch.
Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM)
Speed: Fast. Normally measured in GHz.
Costs: Getting cheaper by the day.
Typical Users: Home users, large and small office users. Education, Doctors. In fact just about everyone needs to know how to operate a PC these days.
Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) – Often less powerful than for a PC of equivalent price.
The term hardware refers to the physical components of your computer such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc. In other words, hardware are things you can physically touch.
Personal computer
Desktop
A personal computer (PC) or micro‐computer is any general‐purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end user who may not have specialized computing skills or knowledge. This is in contrast to large expensive mainframe or minicomputer systems designed for use by many people, usually at the same
time, or large data processing systems which require specialized staff to operate efficiently. A PC may be a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, or a handheld PC (also called a palmtop).The PC industry began in 1977, when Apple, Radio Shack and Commodore introduced the first off‐the‐shelf computers as consumer products. Prior to this, computers were generally found in universities and laboratories only.
IBM introduced the IBM PC in 1981. Since then, the PC market has been dominated by two types of PCs – IBM PC Compatibles and computers produced by Apple. IBM PCs and its compatibles are computers based on CPUs built by Intel and run Operating Systems know as Windows (other OS are also available for IBM PC Compatibles, e.g., Linux). Apple has its own hardware and OS.
Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM)
Speed: Fast. Normally measured in GHz.
Costs: Getting cheaper by the day.
Typical Users: Home users, large and small office users. Education, Doctors. In fact just about everyone needs to know how to operate a PC these days.
Apple computers
The Apple Mac is a PC. It uses a different operating system, and may require special versions of application programs (such as word processors or spreadsheets).
Even the hardware add‐ons have to be customized to some extent to be able to be connected to a Mac In the early days the thing which really distinguished the Mac over the IBM PC was the GUI (Graphical User Interface), or in plain English the way you could use the mouse to drive the computer. In the early days of the PC, you really had to be a bit of an expert to use and maintain your PC. Recently the differences between the IBM PC and the Mac have blurred, with Microsoft buying a stake in Apple.
Laptop/Notebook & Tablet PC
Laptop computers, as the name implies, are small portable computers which can run on batteries as well as mains power. They use special screens, rather than the traditional bulky monitors, which allows for longer battery life as well as portability. A newer term, “Notebooks”, simply indicates a VERY small laptop. These are especially popular with salespersons on the move or people giving presentations. While they tend to still be more expensive than an equivalent Desktop computer, they can now match the power of a Desktop computer. Palmtops are even smaller computers which can literally fit into the palm of your hand
Capacity: Large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM) – Often less powerful than for a PC of equivalent price.
Speed: Fast. Normally measured in GHz. Often speed specifications are less than for a PC of equivalent price.
Costs: Components need to be much more compact, so there is a price overhead when compared to a PC of equivalent power. Typical Users: Business users, people on the move, educational users.
These devices use a special pen, rather than a keyboard and can be used for storing and retrieving
information. Like most computer devices, many can connect to the Internet. They are extremely compact. PDAs have many built‐in features such as a calculator, a clock and a calendar.
Many allow you to send and receive emails and even browse the web. PDAs can also be used for accessing the Internet, sending and receiving e‐mails, video recording, typewriting and word processing, use as an address book, making and writing on spreadsheets, scanning bar codes, playing computer games, recording survey responses, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Newer PDAs also have both colour screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones (smartphones), web browsers, or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi‐Fi, or Wireless Wide‐Area Networks (WWANs). Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.
Capacity: Much smaller storage capacity compared to a PC.
Speed: Much less than a PC unless you pay a lot extra.
Costs: In relative terms expensive when compared to a PC.
Typical Users: Mostly business users.
Mobile phones (cell phones)
A mobile phone or cell phone is used for mobile communication. As well a speech they may be used for text messaging, emailing accessing the Web. Many also allow you to send and receive pictures and video. Most mobile phones use a signal from a local transmission tower and will not work when you are out of range or if the signal is blocked by mountains, or even buildings.
Common handheld portable digital devices
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
information. Like most computer devices, many can connect to the Internet. They are extremely compact. PDAs have many built‐in features such as a calculator, a clock and a calendar.
Many allow you to send and receive emails and even browse the web. PDAs can also be used for accessing the Internet, sending and receiving e‐mails, video recording, typewriting and word processing, use as an address book, making and writing on spreadsheets, scanning bar codes, playing computer games, recording survey responses, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Newer PDAs also have both colour screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones (smartphones), web browsers, or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi‐Fi, or Wireless Wide‐Area Networks (WWANs). Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.
Capacity: Much smaller storage capacity compared to a PC.
Speed: Much less than a PC unless you pay a lot extra.
Costs: In relative terms expensive when compared to a PC.
Typical Users: Mostly business users.
Mobile phones (cell phones)
A mobile phone or cell phone is used for mobile communication. As well a speech they may be used for text messaging, emailing accessing the Web. Many also allow you to send and receive pictures and video. Most mobile phones use a signal from a local transmission tower and will not work when you are out of range or if the signal is blocked by mountains, or even buildings.
Satellite phones use a signal coming from a satellite. They tend to be much more expensive to purchase and use. While you should never be out of range, the satellite signal may be blocked by tall buildings.
Smartphones
A smartphone is a mobile phone (cell phone) offering advanced computer like features. Capabilities and standards vary from one manufacturer to another. Most smartphones have some sort of operating system allowing you to connect to other devices and also to install applications. Most smartphones allow you to send and receive emails and may even allow you to browse the Web. Some have a personal organizer built into them and some sort of contact management organiser. Some even have a miniature computer‐type keyboard built into them, while others have a touch screen. Some have GPS positioning systems. Some smartphones allow you to read documents in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Other features can include a built‐in camera, the ability to play music, display photos and video clips, media software for playing music, browsing photos and viewing video clips.
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