1.3 - Types Of Computer Systems

1.3 - Types Of Computer Systems

1. Desktop/Server

   • Characteristics and purpose: A desktop computer includes the processor, which can be a micro tower or minitower designed to fit under the desk or a unit that goes on top of the desk. It also includes a motherboard, the main circuit board for the computer. Desktop computer motherboards are generally standardized on Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX), microATX or Balanced Technology eXtended form factors. The desktop computer also houses disk storage. Almost all desktop computers include a built-in modem and multi-gigabyte magnetic storage drive. They also feature standard extension slots such as Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe). They require an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which means they must be plugged in at all times to function. It is common for desktop computer users to pair the device with a printer. It is possible to interconnect desktop computers across a local area network (LAN) so users can share resources across devices and connect to peripherals such
   • Advantages: Lots of memory space, easy to upgrade, fast processors, no battery, large screen (depending on the monitor), cheaper than laptops and tablets, the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. and No need to charge it.
   • large footprint, need keyboard, mouse and monitor, big and heavy, can be noisy, requires a separate monitor, probably without wireless connection, not portable.

2. Tablet/Hybrid

   • Characteristics and purpose: A tablet is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touchscreen interface. The tablet form factor is typically smaller than a notebook computer, but larger than a smartphone. The idea of tablet computing is generally credited to Alan Kay of Xerox, who sketched out the idea in 1971. The first widely sold tablet computer was Apple Computer's Newton, which was not a commercial success. Technological advances in battery life, display resolution, handwriting recognition software, memory and wireless internet access have since made tablets a viable computing option. Today, the most common type of tablet is the slate style, like Apple's iPad, Microsoft's Surface or Amazon's Kindle Fire. External keyboards are available for most slate-style tablets, and some keyboards also function as docking stations for the devices.
   • portability (can work from everywhere and small enough to put in handbags); small weight (lighter than most laptops); smaller in sizes; a flexible screen (You can choose to place the screen in landscape or portrait.); an attractive design; the handwriting recognition.
   • Higher price, Slower input speed, Weaker video capabilities, Screen damage risk, Hinge Risk.

3. Smartphone

   • Purpose and characteristics: A smartphone is a cellular telephone with an integrated computer and other features not originally associated with telephones, such as an operating system, web browsing and the ability to run software applications. The first smartphone was IBM's Simon, which was presented as a concept device -- rather than a consumer device -- at the 1992 COMDEX computer trade show. It was capable of sending emails and faxes, as well as keeping a calendar of events for the user, as opposed to simply making calls and sending messages. Consumer smartphones evolved away from personal digital assistants (PDAs) around the turn of the 21st century when devices such as the PalmPilot began to include wireless connectivity. Several manufacturers, including Nokia and Hewlett Packard, released devices in 1996 that were combinations of PDAs and typical cellphones that included early operating systems (OSes) and web browsing capabilities. BlackBerry released its first smartphones in the
   • Privacy, Keep in touch easily, Easy access to business profiles, Finish tasks easier, GPS, Entertainment,
   • Privacy endangered, Distraction, Health issues, Addiction,

4. Embedded System/Internet Of Things

   • Information access, Communication, Cost-effective, Automation.
   • Purpose and characteristics: Internet of Things provides innovative business opportunities, and growth and development prospects in all sectors. IOT helps companies to gather necessary information regarding customer satisfaction and grievances, product designing easily. The internet of things, or IoT, is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
   • Privacy and security, Complexity.,Less jobs., Dependability.

5. Mainframe

   • Purpose and characteristics: Mainframes are a type of computer that generally are known for their large size, amount of storage, processing power and high level of reliability. They are primarily used by large organizations for mission-critical applications requiring high volumes of data processing. In general, there are a few characteristics of mainframes that are common among all mainframe vendors: Nearly all mainframes can run (or host) multiple operating systems. Mainframes can add or hot swap system capacity without disruption. Mainframes are designed to handle very high-volume input and output (I/O) and emphasize throughput computing. A single mainframe can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller servers.
   • Expensive. Takes up a lot of space. Requires high end skills to work with.
   • Designed for high organisations so good security. Good reliability and availability. High level computing. Problem solving. Long lasting performance.

6. Quantum

   • Quantum computing is computing using quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement. A quantum computer is a device that performs quantum computing. Such a computer is different from binary digital electronic computers based on transistors.
   • The main advantage of quantum computing is it can execute any task very faster when compared to the classical computer, generally the atoms changes very faster in case of the traditional computing whereas in quantum computing it changes even more faster. But all the tasks can’t be done better by quantum computing when compared to traditional computer. •In quantum computing qubit is the conventional superposition state and so there is an advantage of exponential speedup which is resulted by handle number of calculations. •The other advantage of quantum computing is even classical algorithm calculations are also performed easily which is similar to the classical computer.
   • The main disadvantage of computing is the technology required to implement a quantum computer is not available at present. The reason for this is the consistent electron is damaged as soon as it is affected by its environment and that electron is very much essential for the functioning of quantum computers. •The research for this problem is still continuing the effort applied to identify a solution for this problem has no positive progress.

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