1.3 Types of computer system

1.3 Types of computer system

1. Desktop systems/servers. The computer can be either made up of:

   • Individual components, such as screen, keyboard and mouse, with a case which contains the motherboard, CPU, power supply, hard drives, optical drives and connectors and expansion cards.
   • A single screen and case which incorporates the motherboard and everything else. These all in one PCs reduce the space required to house the computer and the need for so many cables. They are also easily moved.
   • Desktops offers a range of activities, including document creation, data manipulation, game playing, design and communication facilities for personal or business purposes.

2. Tablet/hybrid

   • A laptop or tablet can be used in a variety of locations. Components found in an all-in-one PC are found in a laptop or tablet, however in a laptop the mouse is replaced by the touch pad and keyboard.
   • Many modern laptops can fold back, turning them into a tablet with a screen-based virtual keyboard. They can perform many of the functions of the traditional PC, but the screen size can be restrictive, especially if several documents need to be open at the same time. Loss or theft is also easier.

3. Smartphones

   • Smartphones can run applications, send and receive emails, take photographs and videos, record sound, act as a GPS system and run apps to provide entertainment via your record library.
   • Security is an issue as an unlocked phone left in public allows anyone who finds it access to your private life, username and password for your cloud storage if you don't log out of apps.

4. Embedded computer systems are everywhere. E.g. cars have computers which monitor emissions from the engine and adjust the engine settings as required. Other computers check for problems with the car systems and, if so, inform the driver.

5. Mainframes are huge machines designed to solve scientific and engineering problems that require complex calculations or the manipulation, collection and storage of large amounts of data. Mainframes are reliable and secure because they have rigorous backup capabilities and component redundancy, which means if one component fails, others take its place without stopping the processing or input/output activities.