2.3 - Common Computing Devices and Platforms

Stationary Devices

Devices fixed in one location like desktops.

Mobile Devices

Portable computing devices like laptops and tablets.

IoT Devices

Smart objects exchanging data via the Internet.

Workstations

Powerful desktop computers for professional use.

Servers

Centralized units managing data and resources.

Gaming Consoles

Devices for playing video games, often non-upgradable.

Fault Tolerance

Continued operation despite hardware failures.

Operating Systems

Software managing hardware and software resources.

Microsoft Windows

Popular operating system for personal computers.

macOS

Apple's operating system for Mac computers.

Linux

Open-source operating system used in various devices.

UNIX

Multiuser operating system used in servers.

FreeBSD

Unix-like operating system for advanced users.

Laptops

Portable computers with integrated components.

Tablets

Touchscreen devices, less powerful than laptops.

Mobile Phones

Devices for communication with advanced features.

SIM Card

Card linking phone to cellular network.

Bluetooth

Wireless technology for short-range communication.

Wi-Fi

Wireless networking technology for internet access.

NFC

Near Field Communication for short-range data transfer.

Zigbee

Low-power wireless protocol for IoT devices.

Smart Speakers

Voice-activated devices for audio and control.

Wearable Devices

Fitness trackers and smartwatches for health monitoring.

Smart Meters

Devices for monitoring energy usage in homes.

Occupancy Sensors

Devices detecting presence for security and efficiency.

Industrial IoT

IoT applications in manufacturing and resource management.

Upgradable Components

Parts of a device that can be enhanced.

Non-upgradable Hardware

Fixed components that cannot be replaced or upgraded.

Stationary devices

Computing devices that are not designed for portability.

Mobile devices

Computing devices that are designed for portability.

IoT devices

Devices with sensors, processing ability, and software that enable data exchange over the Internet.

Examples of stationary computing devices

Workstations, servers, and tabletop gaming consoles.

Components found in stationary devices

Processors, memory, and input/output connections.

Upgradeable features common in workstations

Memory, storage, and video cards.

Fault tolerance in servers

Achieved by having multiple servers store the same data so work can continue if one fails.

Popular operating systems on servers

Microsoft Windows Server, Linux, UNIX, macOS X, and FreeBSD.

Characteristics of tabletop gaming consoles

They use a single functional block for processing and are generally not upgradeable.

Examples of mobile computing devices

Laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and portable gaming systems.

Operating systems used by many laptops

Windows, macOS, Linux, or Google Chrome OS.

Components typically included on a laptop system board

Processors, memory, video cards, ports, and Wi-Fi capability.

Upgradeability of tablets

Tablets are usually not upgradeable.

Specialized features of mobile phones

Specialized processors, a SIM card slot, and a multifunction port.

Dominant operating systems in the mobile phone market

Android and iOS.

Characteristics of portable gaming devices

They use specialized processors, storage, memory, and connectivity ports with non-upgradeable hardware.

Examples of consumer IoT devices

Smart speakers, TVs, wearable devices, and appliances.

Examples of enterprise IoT devices

Smart meters, occupancy sensors, and IoT-enabled security systems.

Communication protocols used by IoT devices

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and Zigbee.

Operating platforms for stationary vs mobile devices

Stationary devices typically use Windows, macOS, Linux, or Unix, while mobile devices use Android, Chrome OS, or iOS.

Upgradeability of desktop computing devices

Yes, they are generally more upgradeable than mobile or IoT devices.

Primary benefit of mobile devices

Their portability and integrated wireless connectivity.