Types of computer:

Mainframes / supercomputers

* Large – powerful – expensive

* Multi user systems this means they can be used by many people at the same time

*They used for processing large amount of data

Minicomputers / Minis

* Not as big ,powerful, or expensive as mainframes

* Less common now because PCs have improved

Microcomputers / micros / PCs

* Most common

* Smaller, cheaper , and less powerful

Types

Desktop Portables

Desktop computers

They are used in office and use multimedia programs which are combination of text , sound , high
quality graphics , animation and video

Portables

* We can take them with us in any place.

* Their types are :

Laptop & notebook & sub note book & handheld or palmtop

Which type of computer is:

1 the most common? PC

2 small enough for a pocket? Handheld

3 the most common portable? Laptop

4 used by many people at the same time? Supercomputer

5 used like mainframes? Minicomputer

6 also called a handheld computer? palmtop

7 the most powerful? Mainframe

8 not suitable for a lot of typing? Handheld

Examples for input devices

Keyboard

mouse

Touch screen

microphone

Barcode reader

Digital camera

joystick

Light pen

scanner

tracker ball
Task 1

We use computers in many different places.

Which places can you link these computer documents with?

Answers

A-Supermarket

B-Supermarket

C- Bank

D- Bank

E- Bank

F- Travel agent

or Airports
1 Games answer is d- a home

2 Machines answer is a a factory

3 Tickets answer is c a travel agent

4 Wages answer is a a factory 5 Flight answer is c a travel agent

6 Letters answer is a a factory 7 Barcode readers answer is b a supermarket

8 Tills answer is b a supermarket

Everyday uses of computers

Places use computers

Supermarkets, Hospital ,factories, Banks, Airport, Astronomy, Homes, libraries, TV and Schools

Computers in Computers are In libraries and

In schools
bookshops
astronomy help used in computers are
computers have
useful for searching
airports for database program
in making and studying
arrange books for
computations to making easily search

send astronauts reservations first

into outer space and preparing

and be back timetables Most television

advertisements,
safely commercial
announcements
and many films use
graphics produced
by computers