Desktop Computers
A desktop computer is a
personal computer that provides full computing capabilities while remaining
semi portable. They are larger and bulkier than laptop computers and can either
sit on top of the desk or underneath it. Because of their larger size this
class of computer usually includes more powerful components and a larger
display.
The modern desktop computer
performs better than traditional laptop computers as their size allows the
inclusion of more powerful components. The larger body (case) means more
efficient heat dissipation which allows manufacturers to use components that
would otherwise overheat during normal use. Furthermore, their increased size
allows for greater expandability and features, as well as larger and brighter
displays.
• home computers, or personal computers
• workstations
• internet servers
The desktop computer is
currently the most affordable computer and it can be found in colleges, universities,
schools, businesses and in 60% of households. They are used for performing
office tasks such as word processing, database work and accounts. Other uses
include organising digital photos, video editing, and internet access. Nearly
all desktop computers are modular in design with components that can easily be
replaced or upgraded.
Desktop computers come in a
variety of case styles ranging from large vertical towers to small models that
can be tucked behind an LCD monitor.
Home Computer/Personal Computer
The home computer was the
description given to desktop computers that were entering the market in 1977
and became very common during the 1980s. These computers used to cost much less
than business, scientific or engineering oriented desktop personal computers,
and were generally less powerful in terms of memory and expandability. This is
not the case today with the same machines being targeted for business and home
use. For some companies, the machine that is sold as a personal computer
actually costs more than those sold as business machines.
The home computer often has
better graphics and sound than contemporary business computers, and is usually
sold for purposes of education, game play, and personal productivity use. The
machine will also tend to have more USB ports to allow for video cameras,
printers, scanners etc to be connected.
Workstations
Workstation computers tend
to be high specification computer systems such as a UNIX workstation, RISC
workstation or engineering workstation. The work station is generally designed
for technical applications where a great deal of processing power or computer
memory is required.
As they are specialised
machines the workstation offers higher performance than is normally seen on a
personal computer, especially with respect to graphics, processing power,
memory capacity and multitasking ability.
The workstation is often
optimised for displaying and manipulating complex data such as 3D model
rotation in real time, engineering simulation, and mathematical plots.
Computer Servers
Larger businesses or those
with more complex networking needs rely on a server-based network. The server
computer stores files for users in a central location and provides access to
other network resources, such as printers, CD-ROM drives, and software. The
server also provides data management, information sharing, network
administration, and security features. In a client/server model, computer tasks
are split between a stand-alone personal computer, which acts as the client,
and a server, which can be a personal computer, a minicomputer, or a mainframe.
A server operating system is
intended, enabled, or better able to run server applications. A server computer (often called server for
short) is a computer system that has been designated for running a specific
server application or applications. Server computers are devices designed to
run such an application or applications, often for extended periods of time
with minimal human direction. Examples of servers include file server, web servers,
e-mail servers and FTP servers. The simplest servers are most often sold as
dedicated appliances, for example switches, routers, gateways, print servers,
net modems.
Laptops
A laptop computer, or simply
laptop or notebook, is a small mobile computer, which usually weighs between
2–10 pounds (1–5 kg) in weight. This depends upon the price paid and the
manufacture of the computer.
Most laptops will run on a
single main battery or from an external AC adapter which can charge the battery
while also supplying power to the computer itself.
Laptops are now capable of
the same tasks as a desktop computer, although they are typically less powerful
in terms of CPU and main memory for the same price. They contain components
that are similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions.
However, they are often miniaturised and optimised for efficient power
consumption.
Newer laptops will have
liquid crystal displays and most of them use different memory modules for their
random access memory (RAM), for
instance, a computer could use either single
in-line memory modules (SIMMS), which hold multiple memory chips) or dual in-line memory modules (DIMMS), which
hold a single larger memory chip) memory circuit boards. In addition to the
built-in keyboard the new machines incorporate a touchpad (known as a trackpad)
for input, though an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached to the
device.
A laptop’s ability to be
upgraded is severely limited both for technical and economic reasons. There is
no industry-wide standard for laptops. Each major laptop vendor pursues its own
proprietary design and construction. The result is that laptops are difficult
to upgrade and can be expensive to repair.
The computational power of
the laptop has traditionally trailed that of desktops. This is due to almost
all laptops sharing RAM between the program memory and the graphics display
adapter. Laptops will always prioritise energy efficiency and compactness over
absolute performance. For personal use, where the computer spends the majority
of its time sitting idle for the next user input, laptops are generally fast
enough to achieve the required performance.
Laptops are generally ideal
targets of theft because they are small and portable. Theft of laptops can lead
to more serious problems such as identity theft.
Lynn Currens
Owner/Handy Helper
23 Duntarvie Ave
Glasgow
G34 9LU
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