Types Of Computer
Stationary
Workstation
A workstation is a high-end personal computer designed for technical,
mathematical, or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used
by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a
local area network and run multi-user
operating systems. Workstations are used for tasks such as
computer-aided design, drafting and modeling, computation-intensive scientific and engineering calculations, image processing,
architectural modeling, and
computer graphics for animation and motion picture visual effects.
[41]
Desktop computer
Prior to the widespread usage of PCs, a computer that could fit on a
desk was remarkably small, leading to the "desktop" nomenclature. More recently, the phrase usually indicates a particular style of
computer case. Desktop computers come in a variety of styles ranging from large vertical
tower cases to small models which can be tucked behind an
LCD monitor.
The term "desktop" typically refers to a computer with a vertically aligned computer case that holds the systems
hardware
components such as the motherboard, processor chip, other internal
operating parts. Desktop computers have an external monitor with a
display screen and an external keyboard, which are plugged into
USB ports on the back of the computer case. Desktop computers are popular for
home and business computing applications as they allow the user to have
multiple monitors, allowing them to perform work on each one simultaneously.
Gaming computer
A gaming computer is a standard desktop computer that typically has high-performance hardware, such as a more powerful
video card, processor and memory, in order to handle the requirements of demanding
video games, which are often simply called "PC games".
[42] A number of companies, such as
Alienware, manufacture prebuilt gaming computers, and companies such as
Razer and
Logitech market mice, keyboards and headsets geared toward
gamers.
All-in-one
All-in-one PCs (also known as single-unit PCs) are a subtype of
desktop computer that combines the monitor and processor within a single
unit. A separate keyboard and mouse are standard input devices, with
some monitors including
touchscreen
capability. The processor and other working components are typically
reduced in size relative to standard desktops, located behind the
monitor, and configured similarly to laptops.
Nettop
A subtype of desktops, called
nettops, was introduced by
Intel in February 2008, characterized by low cost and lean functionality. A similar subtype of laptops (or notebooks) is the
netbook, described below. The product line features the new
Intel Atom processor, which specifically enables nettops to consume less power and fit into small enclosures.
Home theater PC
A
home theater PC (HTPC) is a convergence device that combines the functions of a personal computer and a
digital video recorder. It is connected to a
TV set or an appropriately sized
computer display,
and is often used as a digital photo viewer, music and video player, TV
receiver, and digital video recorder. HTPCs are also referred to as
media center systems or
media servers. The general goal in a HTPC is usually to combine many or all components of a
home theater
setup into one box. More recently, HTPCs gained the ability to connect
to services providing on-demand movies and TV shows. HTPCs can be
purchased pre-configured with the required hardware and software needed
to add television programming to the PC, or can be cobbled together out
of discrete components, what is commonly done with software support from
MythTV,
Windows Media Center,
GB-PVR,
SageTV, Famulent or
LinuxMCE.
Portable
Laptop
A
laptop
computer (also called a notebook) is similar to a desktop, but is
designed for portability. Usually, all of the hardware and interfaces
needed to operate a laptop, such as the graphics card, audio devices or
USB ports (previously
parallel and
serial ports), are built into a single unit. Laptops usually have "
clamshell"
design, in which the keyboard and computer components are on one panel
and a flat display screen on a second panel, which is hinged to the
first panel. The laptop is opened for use and closed for transport.
Closing the laptop also protects the screen and keyboard during
transportation. Laptops have both a power cable that can be plugged in
and high-capacity
batteries
that can power the device, enhancing its portability. Once the battery
charge is depleted, it will have to be recharged through a power outlet.
In the interests of saving power, weight and space, laptop graphics
cards are in many cases integrated into the CPU or chipset and use
system RAM, resulting in reduced graphics performance when compared to
an equivalent desktop machine. For this reason, desktop computers are
usually preferred over laptops for
gaming purposes.
One of the drawbacks of laptops is that, due to the size and
configuration of components, usually relatively little can be done to
upgrade the overall computer from its original design or add components.
Internal upgrades are either not manufacturer-recommended, can damage
the laptop if done with poor care or knowledge, or in some cases
impossible, making the desktop PC more modular and upgradable. Desktop
PCs typically have a case that has extra empty space inside, where users
can install new components. Some internal upgrades to laptops, such as
memory and hard disk drive upgrades are often easily performed, while a
display or keyboard upgrade is usually difficult or impossible. Just
like desktops, laptops also have the same input and output ports for
connecting to a wide variety of devices, including external displays,
mice, cameras, storage devices and keyboards, which may be attached
externally through USB ports and other less common ports such as
external video. Laptops are also a little more expensive compared to
desktops, as the miniaturized components for laptops themselves are
expensive.
A subtype of notebooks, called
subnotebook, has most of the features of a standard laptop computer, but with smaller physical dimensions. Subnotebooks are larger than
hand-held computers, and usually run full versions of desktop or laptop operating systems.
Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC) are usually considered subnotebooks, or more specifically, subnotebook
tablet PCs, which are described below.
Netbooks
are sometimes considered to belong to this category, though they are
sometimes separated into a category of their own (see below).
Desktop replacement
An Acer Aspire desktop replacement laptop
A desktop replacement computer (DTR) is a personal computer that provides the full capabilities of a
desktop computer while remaining
mobile. Such computers are often actually larger, bulkier
laptops.
Because of their increased size, this class of computers usually
includes more powerful components and a larger display than generally
found in smaller portable computers, and can have a relatively limited
battery capacity or none at all in some cases. Some use a limited range
of desktop components to provide better performance at the expense of
battery life. Desktop replacement computers are sometimes called
desknotes, as a
portmanteau of words "desktop" and "notebook", though the term is also applied to desktop replacement computers in general.
[43]
Netbook
Netbooks, also called mini notebooks or
subnotebooks, are a subgroup of laptops
[44] acting as a category of small, lightweight and inexpensive
laptop computers suited for general computing tasks and accessing
web-based applications.
They are often marketed as "companion devices", with an intention to
augment other ways in which a user can access computer resources.
[44] Walt Mossberg called them a "relatively new category of small, light, minimalist and cheap laptops."
[45] By August 2009,
CNET called netbooks "nothing more than smaller, cheaper notebooks."
[44] Initially, the primary defining characteristic of netbooks was the lack of an
optical disc drive, requiring it to be a separate external device. This has become less important as
flash memory devices have gradually increased in capacity, replacing the writable optical disc (e.g.
CD-RW,
DVD-RW) as a transportable storage medium.
At their inception in late 2007—as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost
[46]—netbooks omitted key features (e.g., the
optical drive),
featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced
specifications and computing power. Over the course of their evolution,
netbooks have ranged in their screen sizes from below five inches
[47] to over 13 inches,
[48] with weights around
~1 kg (
2–3 pounds). Often significantly less expensive than other
laptops,
[49]
by mid-2009 netbooks had been offered to users "free of charge", with
an extended service contract purchase of a cellular data plan.
[50]
In the short period since their appearance, netbooks have grown in size
and features, converging with new smaller and lighter notebooks. By
mid-2009, CNET noted that "the specs are so similar that the average
shopper would likely be confused as to why one is better than the
other," noting "the only conclusion is that there really is no
distinction between the devices."
[44]
Tablet
HP Compaq tablet PC with rotating/removable keyboard
A
tablet is a type of portable PC that de-emphasizes the use of traditional input devices (such as a
mouse or
keyboard) by using a
touchscreen display, which can be controlled using either a
stylus
pen or finger. Some tablets may use a "hybrid" or "convertible" design,
offering a keyboard that can either be removed as an attachment, or a
screen that can be rotated and folded directly over top the keyboard.
Some tablets may run a traditional PC operating system such as Windows
or Linux; Microsoft attempted to enter the tablet market in 2002 with
its
Microsoft Tablet PC specifications, for tablets and convertible laptops running
Windows XP. However, Microsoft's early attempts were overshadowed by the release of Apple's
iPad; following in its footsteps, most tablets now run
mobile operating systems such as
Android and
iOS. In response, Microsoft built its
Windows 8 operating system to better accommodate these new touch-oriented devices.
[51] Many tablet computers have USB ports, to which a keyboard or mouse can be connected.
Smartphone
The LG G4-2, a typical smartphone
Smartphones are practically the same devices as
tablet computers, the only differences between them being that smartphones are generally smaller than tablets, always have
cellular integration, and (while modern smartphones almost always do) may not always have a
slate form factor.
Ultra-mobile PC
The ultra-mobile PC (UMP) is a specification for small-configuration
tablet PCs. It was developed as a joint development exercise by
Microsoft,
Intel and
Samsung, among others. Current UMPCs typically feature the Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Linux
operating system, and low-voltage
Intel Atom or
VIA C7-M processors.
Pocket PC
A pocket PC is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer (
personal digital assistant, PDA) that runs the
Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. It may have the capability to run an alternative
operating system like
NetBSD or
Linux. Pocket PCs have many of the capabilities of desktop
PCs. Numerous
applications are available for handhelds adhering to the Microsoft Pocket PC specification, many of which are
freeware. Some of these devices also include
mobile phone features, actually representing a
smartphone. Microsoft-compliant Pocket PCs can also be used with many other add-ons like
GPS receivers,
barcode readers,
RFID
readers and cameras. In 2007, with the release of Windows Mobile 6,
Microsoft dropped the name Pocket PC in favor of a new naming scheme:
devices without an integrated phone are called Windows Mobile Classic
instead of Pocket PC, while devices with an integrated phone and a touch
screen are called Windows Mobile Professional.
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