Tutorial 1: Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Introduction:

In today's world there are numerous kinds of mobile computers and devices. Today's technology has made it possible for them to come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes.

What exactly are Mobile Computers and Mobile devices?

A mobile computer is a personal computer that can be transported from place to place during normal usage. Similarly, a mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand, typically having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard.

 

Different kinds of Mobile Computers:

The most popular type of mobile computer is the notebook computer,
also called a laptop computer.Laptops are thin and lightweight, yet
they can also be just as powerful as any desktop computer. On most
laptop computers the keyboard is on top of the system unit, and the
monitor is attached to the system unit with some type of hinges.
On average these computer weigh anywhere from 2.5 to more than
10 pounds. For the most part these computers operate on rechargeable
batteries.

Another type of notebook computer is tablet PC's, they are a
special type of notebook computer that allows you to write or draw on
the screen using a digital pen. Tablet PC's are useful for taking quick
notes in lectures, and meetings where other standard notebook computers
are not as practical.





Information on Mobile Devices:

Mobile devices, which are small enough to fit into a pocket, usually do not have disk drives. These devices store programs and data permanently on special memory units or small memory cards inside the system unit. Some mobile devices are internet enabled, which means they can wirelessly connect to the internet.

Types of Mobile Devices:

There are five popular types of mobile devices which are smart phones, PDAs, handheld computers, portable media players, and digital cameras.

Smart Phones- A internet enabled mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity that a contemporary basic phone. Smart Phones may be thought as handheld computers integrated with a mobile telephone. 

PDAs- A PDA (personal digital assistant) is a personal device that functions as a personal information management. The primary input device for a PDA is a stylus. Many PDAs can acces the internet allowing users to check e-mail and browse the web.

Handheld Computers- Sometimes referred to as an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), is small enough to be operated well held in your hand. Many handheld computers communicate wirelessly with other devices or computers and have miniature or specialized keyboards. The most basic use for handheld computers are industry specific and serve the needs of mobile employees, such as meter readers and parcel delivery people.

 

Portable Media Players- A mobile device that can store, organize, and play digital media. For example you can listen to music, and with most you are able to watch videos, movies and T.V. shows. Usually, you download the digital media from your computer to the portable media player or to media that you insert in the device. Portable media players usually include a set of earbuds, which are small speakers that rest inside your ear canal.

Digital Cameras- A camera that takes and stores still photographs or videos, or sometimes both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. Digital cameras usually have some amount of internal storage to hold images, but most users prefer to store images on small storage media such as memory cards. With a digital camera, users can view photographed images immediately through a small screen on the camera.

Sources:
Gary B. Shelly and Misty E. Vermaat. Discovering Computers 2010. Ch. 1. Pages 20-23

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