4.2.3 Modern taxonomy of computers Reading activity Read Section 5.1, Chapter 5 of Laudon and Laudon (2013).
It has long been usual to classify computers as various distinct types. You
need to be familiar with this terminology, even if today it is in some ways
too limited to encompass all types of computer-like devices we find and
use.
Personal computers (PCs), desktops, workstations : These are
the computers we are most familiar with at home and at work – a box of
electronics with keyboard and screen that can function as a computer on
its own, but which is almost certainly connected to some network and thus
to other computers and information resources – for example, the internet
and the world wide web. These were far and away the most common type
of computer until recently and the emergence of various new devices such
as smartphones and tablets. These types of computer still allow all manner
of people to have immediate and dedicated access to a computer with a
big screen and a keyboard and mouse. Such a computer is usually only
used by one person at a time, although they are able to run more than one
program at a time.
Workstation is a name sometimes used for a powerful PC; for example, the
computers used by scientists, engineers and computer professionals. This
is in contrast to the general-purpose PC that an office worker may use.
Mobiles, tablets and palm tops : There is now a whole new
generation of computers, which are portable, mobile and multifunctional.
They may be based on mobile phones, laptops or tablet computers such as
the iPad. Such devices use wireless networking (for example, WiFI and/or
mobile phone networks) to connect to other computers and information
resources. Of course, their small size is a great advantage, but it is also
a challenge in providing suitable means of input and output. Today this
is often solved (to some degree) by using touch screens and/or voice
recognition.
