ICT Digital Devices

Mainframe computer

Is a computer with huge processing power and data storage

Microprocessor

Is the intergrated circuit that is a CPU

Desktop computer

a computer designed to be in one place

Laptop computer

a computer designed to be portable

Pros of laptop

Portability,flexibility and multifunctional

Cons of laptop

Less powerful, short battery life and difficult to upgrade

Mobile phone

Ultra portable , designed to be light weight and fit in pockets

Specialist

designed for specific people

Tablet device

a general purpose device between laptop and smartphone

multifunctional device

a device that carries out a wide variety of tasks

Convergence

Is the merging of technologies that would usually be separate

Features of digital devices

Portability, performance, storage , user interface, connectivity, media support, energy consumption, expansion capability, security features

User interface

Is how the user interacts with the operating systen

Command line

Requires users to interact using text commands

Graphical user interface

Requires users to interact with the os using visual elements such as windows, icons, menus and WIMP

Menu interface

Successive menus presented to a user with a single option at each stage

Natural language

Uses spoken words to respond to spoken or textual inputs from a user

RAM

is the primary storage that is directly connected to the CPU and hold instructions that in use temporarily. Ram is volatile

ROM

Is primary storage that holds the first instructions of computer needs to start. ROM is non volatile

Flash memory

Is a type of electronically erasable programmable read only memory

Application software

Is the software chosen by the user to carry out a specific task

System software

Is essential for the operating of a computer system

Utility software

designed to help maintain, enhance and repair a computer

Defragmentation

Groups of fragmented files back together to increase access speed

Compression

Reduces the amount of secondary storage

Task manager

built in OS allows users to monitor system resources

Operating system

Software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware in a computer system

Single user

Allows single user, no option to customize user interface

Security

Process enabling different users to log onto a computer

Print spooling

carried out by the os when printing is required . This creates a queue