1.2 IT App Development

3 desktop characteristics

• designed to be used in one fixed location

• high-performance CPUs are required

• Can have a separate monitor and base unit

Desktop advantage

 large percentage of people enjoy playing computer games so willing to purchase games software.

Desktop disadvantage

highly competitive space potentially requiring large investment.

2 characteristics of a haptic

• Transits information by using physical stimulation such as vibrations.

• These types of devices are often used as part of the virtual reality system e.g haptic gloves.

haptic advantage

helps the wearer to be immersed in VR simulations

haptic disadvantage

Expensive and not widely supported.

3 characteristics of a laptop

• Designed to be portable 

• Display, keyboard, touchpad and battery integrate into a single unit.

• Ability to plug their laptop into a larger screen

laptop advantage

portable and can run off battery or mains power

laptop disadvantage

often limited processing power available as running on a battery.

3 characteristics of a server

• Powerful computers dedicated to providing a service e.g files or websites

• Run 24 hours a day 7 days a week 

• Tend to run specialised operating systems e.g windows

server advantage

highly reliable and designed to be run 24/7

server disadvantage

expensive compared to many other device types.

3 characteristics of smart devices

• Connected to a network e.g wifi

• Access the device from an app on your phone whenever and wherever

• Monitor tasks being performed by the device from anywhere

smart device advantage

widespread and often relatively cheap devices

smart device disadvantage

often not updated regularly, so can they be insecure.

3 characteristics of a tablet/hybrid

• Portable 

• Input and output device is a large touchscreen 

• On-screen keyboard can be used for text entry.

tablet/hybrid advantage

highly portable and runs off battery or mains.

tablet/hybrid disadvantage

On-screen keyboards are not as usable as physical keyboards.

3 characteristics of wearables

• Tend to be optimised to have a small display

• Has a range of sensors such as heartbeat

• Often communicate with a larger device

wearable advantage

hands free operation

wearable disadvantage

 small screen size can limit usage

3 characteristics of a console

• A generic term for any digital device 

• Don't have to have a keyboard 

• Used for a specific purpose 

• E.g self service

console advantages

specifically designed for each situation, optimised hardware

console disadvantages

Applications need to be specifically written for each one.