Categories of Computers

What is a Computer?

An electronic device (machine), that performs four basic operations: input, processing, output and storage.

or

Computer is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that accepts data, process the data, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Categories of Computer

• Supercomputers
• Mainframes
• Personal Computers
• Mobile Computers and Devices
• Embedded Computer

 For more information on categories of computers, click here / here. 

Click here to directly go to the file of Chapter 1 - Introduction to Information Technology (IT) lecture notes.

1. Supercomputers

A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer and used for very complex, sophisticated job such as nuclear research, calculating weather patterns, petroleum exploration, online banking, automotive design.

Physical size

Full room of equipment

Speed

The fastest supercomputer are capable of processing billions of program instructions per second.

Can operate at speeds measured in picoseconds-1,000 times as fast as microcomputers.

Storage

Can store more than 20,000 times the data and information of an average desktop computer.

2. Mainframes

A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously (multi-user) and storing tremendous amounts of data, instructions and information. Mainframes are often used in businesses that manage large amounts of data, for example, insurance companies use mainframes to process information about millions of policyholders.

For more information on mainframes, click this link.

Physical size

 Partial room to a full room of equipment.

Speed
Powerful computer that handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously at the same time.

Storage
Can store tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information; enterprises are able to bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and manage thousands of item in inventory.

Advantages

Huge memory/Large - Able to store tremendous amounts of data, instructions & information.
High speed/Powerful - they can process vast amounts of data, very quickly.
Super reliable - incredibly reliable with mean time between failure (MTBF) up to 20 years because lot of circuitry is designed to detect and correct errors.
Multi User - They allow several users (sometimes hundreds) to use the computer at the same time.

3. Personal Computers

Personal computer is a computer that can perform all its input, processing, output and storage activities by itself. Two types of personal computers are desktop computers, and notebook computers.

Physical size

Fits on a desk

Speed

Various depends on the memory and processors

Storage

Various depends on the hard drive size

4. Mobile Computers & Devices

Mobile Computer is a personal computer (that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself) that you can carry from place to place.

Examples: notebook computers, netbook, Table PCs

Mobile Device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand.

Examples: Smart phones and PDAs, E-book readers, Handheld computers, Portable media players, and Digital cameras.

Laptop/Notebook

Portable, often designed to fit on your lap. Thin and lightweight, powerful as the average desktop computer.

Netbook

Smaller, lighter than a notebook computer. Not as powerful as a notebook computer

Tablet PC

Special type of notebook computer that you can interact with by touching the screen by using finger or digital pen.

Smart phones and PDAs

 Smart phone is an Internet-enable phone. Provides personal information management functions such as calendar, an appointment book, address book, calculator and notepad

E-book reader

Is a handheld device that is used primarily for reading e-books. Have a touch screen and are Internet-enable.

Handheld computers

Small computer enough to fit in one hand. Many handheld computers are industrial-specific and serve the needs of mobile employees such as meter readers and parcel delivery people.

Portable Media Player

Is a mobile device on which you can store, organize and play digital media such as music, watch videos, movies and view photos.

Digital camera

Is a device that allows user to take pictures and store the photographed images digitally.

Physical size

Fits on the lap, palm, pocket 

Speed

 May slower than a personal computer.

Storage

Small storage media

5. Embedded Computer

Special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product and perform various functions depending on the product.

For more information on embedded computers, click this link.

Consumer Electronics

 Mobile and digital telephones
Digital televisions
Cameras
Video recorders
DVD players and recorders
Answering machines

 Home Automation Devices

Thermostats

Sprinkling systems

Security monitoring systems

Appliances Lights 

Automobiles

Antilock brakes

Engine control modules

Airbag controller

Cruise control

Process Controllers and Robotics

 Remote monitoring systems
Power monitors
Machine controllers
Medical devices

Computer Devices and Office Machines
 Keyboards
Printers
Faxes
Copiers

Some of the embedded computers designed to improve the safety, security and performance in today’s automobiles

Physical size

Small

Speed

May be slower than a mobile computer and devices

Storage

Limited or small storage media

Chapter 1: Fields of IT

Applications of Information Technology (IT) in the fields of:

1. Education
2. Finance
3. Government
4. Health Care
5. Science
6. Publishing
7. Travel
8. Manufacturing

1. Field: Education

Click this link for more information on importance of IT in Education.
Click this link for the lecture notes of Chapter 1 - Introduction to IT.

 

 These days, educators use computers to assist education. Many schools, colleges and universities equip labs and classrooms with computers.

Usage:

• Teachers and lecturers use IT to do research for teaching materials, participate in online forums and online references, and use software to prepare lecture notes. Furthermore, they use Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) Projector in classrooms or lecture halls to assist their teachings during classes or lectures.
• Students use IT as reference tools for finding information related to their studies or general knowledge on the Internet.
• School Administrators use IT to keep students' and teachers' records.

 LCD Projector in lecture hall.

Example of applications:

• Courseware

Computer programs or other materials designed for use in an educational or training course.

• Educational Portal (e-Portal) and Web-based Learning

A method of learning in which students choose their materials and use them to study on their own. The learning process is via Internet, for instance, online tuition such as Classruum.com. Students are able to access studying materials anytime and anywhere.

• Learning Management System

A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of electronic educational technology, educational courses or training programs.

 2. Field: Finance

Many people and companies use computers to help manage their finances.

Usage:

 

Companies use IT ( finance software) to balance checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, manage investment, and evaluate financial plans.

 

žExample of applications:

• Online banking

  An electronic payment system that enables customers of a bank to conduct financial transactions (access account balances, pay bills and copy monthly transactions) on a website operated by the bank. Examples are Maybank2u, CIMBClicks, iRakyat, myBSN and Amonline.

• Finance Investment System / Online Investing

  A system that allows investors to buy and sell stocks and bonds online, with or without using a broker. For instance, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Bursa Malaysia.

• Electronic Payment System (EPS)

  Electronic Payment System is a financial exchange that takes place online between buyers and sellers, i.e. a means of making payments over an electronic network such as the Internet. Examples are Malaysian EPS (MEPS) and Western Union.

3. Field: Government

žMost government offices have their own Web sites to provide society with up-to-date information and services. 

žUsage:

• To provide citizens with up-to-date information through the government Web sites
• Helps to enhance the convenience, accessibility, and quality of interactions between the government and the citizens.
• Employees of government agencies use IT as part of their daily routine

Example of applications:

• myGovernment

• e-Filing

Online system for declaring tax.

• e-Penyata Gaji & Laporan 

An online system that allows government staffs to view and print monthly pay slip.

• HRMIS – Aplikasi Sistem Maklumat Pengurusan Sumber Manusia

• Portal Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam

• e-SPKB – Sistem Perancangan Kawalan Belanjawan Elektronik

• e-Perolehan – The Electronic Procurement System

4. Field: Health Care

Nearly every area of health care today uses computers for various purposes:

ž
žUsage:
•Hospitals and doctors use IT to maintain and access patient records, store personal health history including prescriptions, lab test result, doctor visit allergies and immunizations

•Doctors use e-mail to correspond with patients.

žExample of applications:

•Telemedicine
Health-care professionals in separate locations conduct live conferences on the computer regarding their patients. For example, a doctor at one location can have a conference with a doctor at another location to discuss a bone X-ray. Live images of each doctor, along with the X-ray, are displayed on each doctor’s computer.

   

•Telesurgery

  Surgery in which a surgeon performs an operation on a patient who is not located in the same physical room as the surgeon by directing the robots to perform operations via computers.

For more information on telesurgery, click here.

•Medline

Many Web sites provide up-to-date medical, fitness, nutrition, or exercise information.

•Counter Registration System

5. Field: Science

Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and treatments often result from scientists’ use of computers.

žUsage: 

 •Scientists use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data.

•Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around the world

ž

žExample of applications: 

•A cochlear implant

  It is a embedded chip that allows a deaf person to listen.

•An electrodes implant

  Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.

•A neural network

  A system that attempts to imitate the behavior of the human brain.

 6. Field: Publishing

 

•The process of making works available to the public. These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video.

ž•Many publishers make their works available online and some Web sites allow you to copy the work, such as a book or music.

žExample of applications:

•Special software assists graphic designers in developing pages that include text, graphics, and photos.

Examples are: Online magazines, online newspaper, Online Photo Printing, Online Card Printing.

•Artists in composing and enhancing songs. 

 Examples are: Apple GarageBand, DUBturbo, Sonic Producer, Sound Forge.

•Filmmakers in creating and editing film.

Examples are iMovie and Adobe Premiere.

7. Field: Travel

•Vehicles manufactured today often include some type of onboard navigation system to help you navigate from one location to another.

ž•Many mobile devices such as smart phones have built-in navigation systems.
ž

 Example of applications: 

•Car Navigation System by Global Positioning System (GPS)

GPS System – is a radio navigation system that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine their exact location, velocity, and time of their destination.

•Automatic roaming by Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

Telecommunication companies provides automatic roaming for travelers to travel abroad. 

•Online Intelligence Transportation IS (ITIS) 

The application of advanced information and communications technology to surface transportation in order to achieve enhanced safety and mobility while reducing the environmental impact of transportation. •Online reservation Transportation and accommodation reservation can be done through a Web site. Example: Online Flight Booking, Online Hotel Booking, Online Car Reservation.

8. Field: Manufacturing
Latest technology have helped in making manufacturing process more effective.

Usage:

•Reduce product development costs

•Shorten a product’s time to market, and

•Stay ahead of the competition.

Example of applications:

•Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).

•Computer-aided design (CAD).

•A Bar Code System.

Chicken

I love to eat chicken

Finger-licking good