Computers have become an integral part of our lives and therefore it stands to reason that we would want to take them with us wherever we go. Mobile computers have been around for a while now and have been getting smaller and smaller and then a little smaller!
Some of these computers are sometimes called: portable PC/workstation, subnotebook (ultraportable), netbook, rugged laptop, tablet PC, and personal digital assistant (PDA).
Basically, the main difference between them is size. They are all capable of doing the same thing: compute.
Nowadays these computers have also become a bit of a fashion statement. You can find that they come in different colours and also wrapped (as in car wrapping) in your favourite football team's logo or cartoon character.
The portable PC is worth talking about because it's the one that really gives you the mobility edge while keeping hardware compatibility with the normal desktop/tower computers. Size and weight is a price you have to pay for this luxury.
Netbooks are called as such because they are primarily designed for web surfing and e-mailing.
These netbooks run the same software as their big brothers do. Their processing power is limited so never install an OS like Vista on them but an OS like Linux will be ideal. This means that these netbooks are often cheaper than notebooks.
Subnotebooks are a relatively new development in the personal computer market. They are aimed to handle basic computing tasks. Both the companies developing such systems and the public see these systems and their potential as highly portable computers with network access.
Most subnotebooks are not what you would consider fast when it comes to computers. They are not designed for fast speeds but more for power efficiency. They need enough processor performance to handle basic computing tasks such as web browsing, e-mail, basic word processing, basic spreadsheets and very basic photo editing. As such, subnotebooks tend to use older mobile parts or newly designed low wattage parts such as Intel's Atom processor.
Tablet PCs are more specialised PCs. They are called as such because their screen looks like a writing slate. Typically, the base of a tablet PC attaches to the display at a single joint called a swivel hinge or rotating hinge. The joint allows the screen to rotate around 180° and fold down on top of the base to provide a flat writing surface. This design, although the most common, creates a physical point of weakness.
These PCs have got no keyboards and to control them or write on them you use a stylus on their touch-sensitive LCD display.
Keyboards and other peripherals can be attached through wireless or USB ports. People who prefer a pen to write with will find these PCs a joy to work with. There is also a special version of MS Windows for these PCs.
PDA is a term used for any small mobile hand-held device that provides computing, storage and retrieval capabilities.
The term "handheld" is a synonym.
Many people use the name of one of the popular PDA products as a generic term.
Most PDAs have a small keyboard. Some PDAs have an electronically sensitive pad on which handwriting can be done.
Typical uses include schedule and address book storage and retrieval and note-entering. However, many applications have been written for PDAs.
Some PDAs offer a variation of the Microsoft Windows operating system called Windows CE.
Other products have their own or another operating system.
Most new PDAs also have Wi-Fi access so they can also be used for web browsing and e-mailing.
The popular Apple iPhone is a smartphone rather than a PDA, though some PDAs today can also be used as a mobile phone.
When we start getting smaller this hardware compatibility issue becomes more evident.
Next time I will give a list of the most important questions you should ask yourself before buying a laptop.
Mr Marshall, a certified computer programmer and technician, is giving regular tips in i-Tech on how to make the best and safest use of computers. He can be contacted at noelmarshall.itech@gmail.com.
Some of these computers are sometimes called: portable PC/workstation, subnotebook (ultraportable), netbook, rugged laptop, tablet PC, and personal digital assistant (PDA).
Basically, the main difference between them is size. They are all capable of doing the same thing: compute.
Nowadays these computers have also become a bit of a fashion statement. You can find that they come in different colours and also wrapped (as in car wrapping) in your favourite football team's logo or cartoon character.
The portable PC is worth talking about because it's the one that really gives you the mobility edge while keeping hardware compatibility with the normal desktop/tower computers. Size and weight is a price you have to pay for this luxury.
Netbooks are called as such because they are primarily designed for web surfing and e-mailing.
These netbooks run the same software as their big brothers do. Their processing power is limited so never install an OS like Vista on them but an OS like Linux will be ideal. This means that these netbooks are often cheaper than notebooks.
Subnotebooks are a relatively new development in the personal computer market. They are aimed to handle basic computing tasks. Both the companies developing such systems and the public see these systems and their potential as highly portable computers with network access.
Most subnotebooks are not what you would consider fast when it comes to computers. They are not designed for fast speeds but more for power efficiency. They need enough processor performance to handle basic computing tasks such as web browsing, e-mail, basic word processing, basic spreadsheets and very basic photo editing. As such, subnotebooks tend to use older mobile parts or newly designed low wattage parts such as Intel's Atom processor.
Tablet PCs are more specialised PCs. They are called as such because their screen looks like a writing slate. Typically, the base of a tablet PC attaches to the display at a single joint called a swivel hinge or rotating hinge. The joint allows the screen to rotate around 180° and fold down on top of the base to provide a flat writing surface. This design, although the most common, creates a physical point of weakness.
These PCs have got no keyboards and to control them or write on them you use a stylus on their touch-sensitive LCD display.
Keyboards and other peripherals can be attached through wireless or USB ports. People who prefer a pen to write with will find these PCs a joy to work with. There is also a special version of MS Windows for these PCs.
PDA is a term used for any small mobile hand-held device that provides computing, storage and retrieval capabilities.
The term "handheld" is a synonym.
Many people use the name of one of the popular PDA products as a generic term.
Most PDAs have a small keyboard. Some PDAs have an electronically sensitive pad on which handwriting can be done.
Typical uses include schedule and address book storage and retrieval and note-entering. However, many applications have been written for PDAs.
Some PDAs offer a variation of the Microsoft Windows operating system called Windows CE.
Other products have their own or another operating system.
Most new PDAs also have Wi-Fi access so they can also be used for web browsing and e-mailing.
The popular Apple iPhone is a smartphone rather than a PDA, though some PDAs today can also be used as a mobile phone.
When we start getting smaller this hardware compatibility issue becomes more evident.
Next time I will give a list of the most important questions you should ask yourself before buying a laptop.
Mr Marshall, a certified computer programmer and technician, is giving regular tips in i-Tech on how to make the best and safest use of computers. He can be contacted at noelmarshall.itech@gmail.com.