Portable devices and Preipherals
Inputs and Outputs including storage devices
What is a portable device?
Laptop
A laptop is virtually the same as a desktop computer but with its advantages and disadvantages. A laptop can be moved around and is portable. Laptops also have the same features, such as: speakers, memory and more. However, some laptops are faster and if you were to get a macbook, then you would see the difference in speed and memory.
Notebook
A notebook is simliar to a laptop but is cheaper and can be a bit smaller. This has the same features as a laptop, but a laptop may have more memory. The notebook is portable like the laptop.
Netbook
A netbook is a lot smaller then a laptop or a notebook. This device is portable and is lightweight. They are a lot quicker on the internet and are normally carried around with you when you go out somewhere. Such as on the train or on a bus.
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant is not modern day technology anymore. They were used around about five years, before any of the laptops came out. This device had basic features: such as a basic word program to write down notes or to draw diagrams.
Desktop
A desktop computer was made before any of the laptops. A desktop has a bigger screen then the laptops and has a mouse that comes with it. This device wasnt made to be portable, just to be there if you needed it and you wouldn't have to move it. Furthermore desktops are basic and only have festures which you would need.
Storage devices
Storage devices
Categorizing storage device
The physical material that actually holds data is called a storage medium. The hardware the reads the device is called the storage device.
Magnetic storage device
A magnetic storage device is created by using a laser. The laser forms tiny magnetised dots. These dots are created and then can be read by other devices. Such as floppy discs.
Optical storage device
Optical storage devices save data as patterns. These patterns can be read by light beams. The beam is used in a high power mode to mark the surface of the disc, making a dot. Such as CDs and DVDs
Preipherals
Preipherals
Inputs and outputs
Inputs and outputs
- A input is where you have entered some data or information in to a computer for processing or for use. In other words, you have commanded the computer to do something, like text typed or data entered, it can be as simple as moving the mouse or as complex as scanning a document. Examples of input devices are: keyboard, a digital camera, mouse or a scanner. Once input this then can transfer to output. Without a input, you can't have a output.
- A output is generated by different devices, depending on the device, this includes data produced at a sofeware level, such as the result of a calculation or at a physical level, such as a printed document. Devices that produce physical output from the device are called output. Such as speakers, they would be commanded to play music and then the speakers would output the music.
Disabilities
Computers and disabilites
- If someone has missing limbs and is in a wheelchair, then maybe a laptop is best because it's portable and can be moved around.
- If someone has trouble seeing the keyboard, then having a keyboard with colours on it, will make the letters stand out, therefore making someones life easiler on the computer.