CHAPTER 3

COMPUTER AND MOBILE DEVICES:

EVALUATING OPTIONS FOR HOME
AND WORK
 Objectives Overview

Describe the characteristics

Differentiate among POS
and uses of desktops, Describe the characteristics
terminals, ATMs, and self-
laptops, tablets, and all-in- and types of servers
service kiosks
ones

Describe the characteristics

and uses of smartphones,
Describe cloud computing digital cameras, portable
and identify its uses and digital media players, e-
book readers, and wearable
devices
 Objectives Overview

Differentiate a port from a

connector, identify various
Describe the characteristics
Identify uses of embedded ports and connectors, and
of and ways to interact with
computers differentiate among
game devices
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC
wireless device connections

Discuss ways to prevent

Identify safeguards against health-related injuries and
hardware theft and disorders caused from
vandalism and hardware technology use, and
failure describe ways to design a
workplace ergonomically
 Computers and Mobile Devices

Smartphones, digital
Desktop and mobile cameras, e-book
Servers and terminals
computers readers and portable
media players

Game devices Embedded computers

Desktops and Mobile Computers
• A personal computer (PC)
is a computer that can
perform all of its input,
processing, output, and
storage activities by itself
and is intended to be used
by one person at a time
• A mobile computer is a
portable personal computer,
designed so that a user
easily can carry it from place
to place
Desktops and Mobile Computers
• A desktop, or desktop computer, is a personal computer
designed to be in a stationary location, where all of its
components fit on or under a desk or table
Desktops and Mobile Computers
• A laptop, also called a notebook computer, is a thin, lightweight
mobile computer with a screen in its lid and a keyboard in its
base
Desktops and Mobile Computers
• A tablet is a thin, lightweight mobile computer that has a touch
screen
Desktops and Mobile Computers
• A handheld computer is a computer small enough to fit in one
hand
Servers
• A server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more
services to other computers or devices on a network
• Rack server
• Blade server
• Tower server
Servers
Servers
• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful server that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously
Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer — and
the most expensive
Terminals
• A terminal is a computer, usually
with limited processing power, that
enables users to send data to
and/or receive information from a
server, or host computer
• A thin client is a terminal that
looks like a desktop but has limited
capabilities and components
• Most retail stores use a POS
terminal to record purchases,
process credit or debit cards, and
update inventory
Terminals
• An ATM (automated teller machine) is a self-service banking
terminal that connects to a host computer through a network
Terminals
• A self-service kiosk is a freestanding terminal that usually has a
touch screen for user interaction
Cloud Computing
• Cloud computing refers to an environment of servers that house
and provide access to resources users access through the Internet
Mobile Devices
• A smartphone is an Internet-capable phone that usually also
includes a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a
calculator, a notepad, games, browser, and numerous other apps
• Many smartphones have touch screens. Instead of or in addition
to a touch screen, some have a built-in mini keyboard on the front
of the phone or a keyboard that slides in and out from behind the
phone
Mobile Devices
• A digital camera is a mobile device that allows users to take
photos and store the photographed images digitally
Mobile Devices
Mobile Devices
• A portable media player, sometimes called a personal media
player, is a mobile device on which you can store, organize, and
play or view digital media
Mobile Devices
• A digital media player or streaming media player is a device,
typically used in a home, that streams digital media from a
computer or network to a television, projector, or some other
entertainment device.
Mobile Devices
• An e-book reader (short for
electronic book reader), or e-
reader, is a mobile device that is
used primarily for reading e-
books and other digital
publications
Mobile Devices
• A wearable device is a small,
mobile computing device
designed to be worn by a
consumer. These devices often
communicate with a mobile
device or computer using
Bluetooth. Three popular
types of wearable devices are
activity trackers,
smartwatches, and
smartglasses.
Game Devices
• A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-
player or multiplayer video games
• A handheld game device is a small mobile device that contains a
screen, speakers, controls, and game console all in one unit
• Game controllers include gamepads, joysticks and wheels, dance
pads, and a variety of motion-sensing controllers
Game Devices
Embedded Computers
• An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that
functions as a component in a larger product

Home
Consumer
automation Automobiles
electronics
devices

Process Computer
controllers and devices and
robotics office machines
Embedded Computers
Putting It All Together
Ports and Connections
• A port is the point at which a
peripheral device attaches to or
communicates with a computer
or mobile device so that the
peripheral device can send data
to or receive information from
the computer or mobile device
• A connector joins a cable to a
port. A connector at one end of
a cable attaches to a port on the
computer or mobile device, and
a connector at the other end of
the cable attaches to a port on
the peripheral device
Ports and Connections
Ports and Connections
• A USB port, short for universal serial bus port, can connect up to
127 different peripheral devices together with a single connector
• Instead of connecting peripheral devices directly to ports on a
mobile computer, some mobile users prefer the flexibility of port
replicators and docking stations
Ports and Connections
Ports and Connections
• Instead of connecting computers and mobile devices to peripheral
devices with a cable, some peripheral devices use wireless
communications technologies

Bluetooth Wi-Fi NFC

Protecting Hardware
• Some schools and businesses use cables to lock computers and
help prevent theft of equipment
Protecting Hardware
• Some mobile computers and devices
include fingerprint readers, which
can be used to verify a user’s
identity.
Protecting Hardware
• Hardware can fail for a variety of
reasons: aging hardware; random
events such as electrical power
problems; and even errors in
programs or apps
• Undervoltage
• Overvoltage or power surge
• A surge protector, also called a
surge suppressor, uses electrical
components to provide a stable
current flow and minimize the
chances of an overvoltage reaching
the computer and other electronic
equipment
Protecting Hardware
• An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that
contains surge protection circuits and one or more batteries that
can provide power during a temporary or permanent loss of
power
Health Concerns of Using Technology
• A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an injury or disorder of the
muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints
• Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a technology-related health
condition that affects eyesight
• Ergonomics is an applied science devoted to incorporating
comfort, efficiency, and safety into the design of items in the
workplace
• Technology addiction occurs when the technology consumes
someone’s entire social life
Health Concerns of Using Technology
 Summary

Handheld computers,
Characteristics of and servers, supercomputers,
purchasing guidelines for point-of-sale terminals,
desktops, laptops, tablets, ATMs, self-service kiosks, e- Ports and connections
smartphone, digital cameras, book readers, game devices,
and portable media players embedded computers, and
cloud computing

Health concerns of using

Ways to protect hardware technology and preventative
measures
Question & Answers