UPDATED MARCH 2022

SYLLABUS 

Types of computer systems; desktop, mobile devices, server 11 ATAR, 12 GEN

VOCABULARY

• desktop = a computer that sits on a desktop. common in schools, workplaces and homes
• mobile device = portable smart phone, tablet or other wireless computing device that can used while moving around
• server = a large computer used to coordinate other computers in a network, such as at schools and in businesses

DETAILS

Desktop Systems

• All in One (AiO)
  
  • combines the monitor and computer tower into one
  • all housed into one single container
  • similar parts to a traditional desktop, but some say it is more like laptop parts inside the container
  • example is an iMac computer
• Tower
  • this is the traditional desktop computer with the large box separate to the monitor
  • usually can contain components with large size
• Compact
  • small
  • separate container to the monitor
  • sometimes called mini-pcs or small form factor (SFF)

Mobile Device

• a computer you can carry around eg eBook reader, smartphone.
• can have touch screens and virtual keyboards
• can play music and take photos
• can use internet wirelessly
• conduct activities like online banking.

Server

• a server on a network linked to other computers
• usually has very good hardware specifications for processing and storage
• dedicated to network only, so no word processing or email applications needed.
• provides shared resources, ie a proxy server to distribute the internet
• provides access to printers, data saving locations and more.

FOR YOU TO DO

1. List the 3 types of desktop computers.
2. Describe how these desktop computers are different from each other.
3. Describe how a mobile device is different to a server.
4. Describe how a mobile device is the same as a server.

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