Mainframes
Used by large organisations for complex processing tasks
Microprocessors
- The device that controls what a computer does; it takes data as input, does something with it and provides output
- Embedded in products such as washing machines
Specialist Phone
A mobile phone with special features that meet the users needs. For example, the phone might have an emergency button and will access all emergency contacts
Smartphones
Small computers that contain WIFI and mobile phone connectivity to make calls and access the internet
Tablet Devices
Are bigger than smartphones, but have similar features
Digital Cameras / Camcorders
Use light sensors to capture images through the light that passes through the lense
Convergence
When a device changes so that it has similar features to another
Portability
- The ability to transport a device from one place to another
- Depends on the size and weight of the device
Performance
- The ability for a device to perform its tasks or objects quickly
- Software instructions are carried out by the processor, which means that a faster processor will increase performance
Resolution
The number of pixels used by a screen to display an image
Smart Television
Use apps and can download and stream content from the internet
Sound Systems
- Can produce loud, rich sound using high-quality speakers and amplifiers
- Sound systems can play music from CDs or can be connected to personal devices.
PVR
A personal video recorder
A device that records broadcasted content so that it can be watched at a later date
Blu-ray and DVD players
Connect to televisions in order to play films and other content that is stored on DVD or Blu-ray disks
Game Consoles
- Designed to enable users to play video games on a television screen
- Games are provided on disks or as downloads from the internet
- They use controllers to control the characters, vehicles or objects in the game.
Media Players
- Provide video and audio content to a television
- This content could be streamed directly from the internet or accessed from local storage.
Navigation Aids
- Can calculate the best route between two or more locations and can provide updates to the route if it is not followed accurately
- They use information from GPS satellites to determine the exact location of the device on Earth.
Multifunctional Device
Device that can perform a range of different functions. E.g Smartphones
RAM (Random Access Memory)
- Faster RAM —> allows instructions to be loaded into the processor more quickly
- RAM holds all software instructions to be carried out, so more RAM —> allows system to have more programs running at the same time
- Instructions are loaded into RAM from storage, faster storage —-> enables faster loading of instructions to RAM
Storage
- Files and programs are stored in storage
- More available storage allows users to store more files and programs
User Interface
The system that allows a user to interact with a device
Command Line Interface (CLI)
- When using a command line interface, users enter text instructions and the computer system provides results or feedback as text.
- Commands have to be typed precisely because the interface only recognises certain commands.
Menu Driven Interface (MDI)
- Displays a list of options as a menu
- Selecting one of these options will either trigger a command or display another menu with further options to choose from.
