Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Single-User Systems
Multiuser System
Ultra
Laptop
Thin
Client
Factor
Handheld
Portable
Desktop
Workstation
Server
Mainframe
Supercomputer
Cost
Range
Weight
$700 to
$2250
$500 to
$3,000
$300 to
$900
$400 to
$2,500
$3,000 to
$40,000
$500 to
$50,000
$90 to
$900
>$100,000
>$250,000
<24 oz.
<3 lbs.
<7 lbs.
<15 lbs.
<25 lbs.
<25 lbs.
>25 lbs.
>200 lbs.
>200 lbs.
Typical
Size
Size of a
notebook
Size of a
notebook
Fits on
desktop
Fits on
desktop
Fits on
desktop
Three-drawer
filing cabinet
Refrigerator and
larger
Palm size
Refrigerator
Typical
Use
Organize
personal
data
Improve
productivity
of highly
mobile
worker
Improve
worker
productivity
Enter data
and
access the
Internet
Improve
worker
productivity
Perform
engineering,
CAD, and software
development
Perform
network and
Internet
applications
Perform computing
tasks for large
organizations and
provide massive
data storage
Run scientific
applications;
perform intensive
number crunching
Example
Fujitsu
Lifebook
Q2010
Dell
Inspiron
T5450
Wyse
V90LE
Thin Client
Mac Pro
Sun Ultra 40
M2
workstation
Hewlett-Packard
HP ProLiant BL
Unisys Clear Path
IBM RS/6000 SP
HP iPAQ
Pocket PC
Table 3.4
Computer System Types
Computer systems can range from small handheld computers to massive supercomputers
that fill an entire room. We start first with the smallest computers.
Types of Computer Systems
Handheld Computers
Handheld computers
are single-user computers that provide ease of portability because of
their small size—some are as small as a credit card. These systems often include a variety of
software and communications capabilities. Most can communicate with desktop computers
over wireless networks. Some even add a built-in GPS receiver with software that can integrate
location data into the application. For example, if you click an entry in an electronic address
book, the device displays a map and directions from your current location. Such a computer
can also be mounted in your car and serve as a navigation system. One of the shortcomings
of handheld computers is that they require a lot of power relative to their size.
PalmOne is the company that invented the Palm Pilot organizer in 1996. The Palm
personal digital assistant (PDA) lets you track appointments, addresses, and tasks. PalmOne
has now signed licensing agreements with Handspring, IBM, Sony, and many other manu-
facturers, permitting them to make what amounts to Palm clones. As a result of the popularity
of the Palm PDA, all handheld computers are often referred to as PDAs.
The U.S. Census Bureau awarded a $600 million contract to the Harris Corporation to
integrate multiple automated systems to obtain field data for the 2010 census in an efficient
and secure manner. It is anticipated that 500,000 PDAs will be used by census takers for
address canvassing and nonresponse followup.
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A
smartphone
combines the functionality of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant,
camera, Web browser, e-mail tool, MP3 player, and other devices into a single handheld
device. Smartphones will continue to evolve as new applications are defined and installed on
the device. The applications might be developed by the manufacturer of the handheld device,
by the operator of the communications network on which it operates, or by any other third-
party software developer.
handheld computer
A single-user computer that
provides ease of portability because
of its small size.
smartphone
A phone that combines the function-
ality of a mobile phone, personal
digital assistant, camera, Web
browser, e-mail tool, and other
devices into a single handheld
device.
Portable Computers
Many computer manufacturers offer a variety of
portable computers
, those that can be car-
ried easily—from pocket or handheld computers to laptops, to notebooks, to subnotebooks,
to tablet computers.
The pocket computer is a device smaller than the smallest laptop that can perform most
of the common functions of a PC. The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet is a $360 pocket computer
that you can use to surf the Web, send and receive e-mail and instant messages, view images
and videos, and play music and simple games. It weighs 8.1 ounces and is 5.5 inches long
and 0.7 inches thick. It has a vivid, bright display with a resolution of 800 × 480, which is
very good for a handheld digital device.
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portable computer
A computer small enough to be
carried easily.
