Desktop, Laptop, Tablet or SmartphonePersonal Computing Choices

Presented by:Dr. Jan Vanderpoolvanderj@wlac.edu

Exactly what is personal computing?

Personal computing affords the user the ability to carry on with their computational responsibilities in the office or on the go; wherever one happen to be. These tasks can be personal , business or as so often the case, a combination of both. Activities include writing papers or creating exams; checking and sending emails or Tweets, checking, setting or conducting calendar activities such as exams, office hours or student support

Getting to Know Your Computer

• Desktops vs. Laptops vs. Tablets vs. Smartphones• CPU’s-Central Processing Units• Memory-RAM-Random Access Memory• Storage-HDD-Hard Disk Drive• Display-Monitor-Computer Screen LCD vs CRT• Operating System-Microsoft Windows

– Windows 8– Windows 7– Windows Vista– Windows XP– Windows 2000, ME, 98 & 95

Definitions-CPU

• CPU(Central processing unit)- This is the brains of the computer and its power is generally measured in clock speed (cpu cycles). Today’s CPU’s clock speeds will exceed 3 GHz on desktops and 2 GHz on laptops.

• Caveat-Rated clock speeds are not linear measurements- a 3.4 GHz Core 2 is actually less powerful than a 3.2 GHz i5

Definitions- Memory

• Memory (RAM)- non permanent storage measured in megabytes (MB) or preferably, gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at least 4-8 GB of RAM while laptops may have 1 GB but should have 4+ GB of RAM

• Caveat- Windows XP can only recognize 3.28 GB of RAM. Anything more is wasted. Windows 7 & 8 (32 bit) can recognize 4 GB and Windows 7 & 8 (64 bit) can recognize 192 GB

Definitions-Storage

• Permanent Storage (Hard drive) – Unlike RAM, data stored in permanent storage remains after the power is turned off. Storage, like RAM, is measured in gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at a minimum 1 TB of storage while laptops may suffice with 500 GB

• Caveat- If you plan to store pictures, videos or music, you should opt for as much storage as possible (terabyte plus)

Operating System

• Windows is the predominant operating system found on PCs– Windows XP-released October 30, 2001 and is currently the most

widely installed PC operating system (est. >400 million worldwide)– Windows Vista-released January 30, 2007 and has been plagued

by problems ever since its release– Windows 7- released October 22, 2009 purportedly to fix all past

mistakes (installed on all new, major brand computers)– Windows 8-released on August 1, 2012 is a touch-centric

operating system designed with mobile device integration in mind. The lack of the Start button drew such criticism that Microsoft released an update, Version 8.1 on October 13, 2013 which returned certain Windows 7 features such as the Start button

Definitions-Desktop

• Desktop computer-May consist of five or more components; but may also be of an all-in-one design– Main frame or box which houses the CPU, memory,

permanent storage, DVD or CD drive, video adapter, sound adapter, Ethernet connector, keyboard, mouse, speakers and display

– Non-portable configuration whose components may weigh more than twenty pounds

• Review sites– http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computers/– http://www.pcworld.com/products/computers/desktops.ht

ml

Traditional Desktop Computers

All-In-One Desktop Computers

Acer, HP, Lenovo and Samsung

Netbooks, Notebooks and Laptops

• While tablets and smartphones are in and of themselves wonderful mobile devices, some applications require the power, capacity and flexibility of a classic desktop. Presently netbooks, notebooks and laptops offer these desktop features in a mobile mode.

NetbooksTypically netbooks are set apart from tablets by the presence of a tactile keyboard and a folding case. The processing power, storage capacity and peripheral devices are limited by their size

Notebooks

Laptops

• Laptops tend to be the largest and most powerful of the portable computers often boasting processing power, memory, storage capacity and displays rivaling those of many desktops.

Tablet Computers

• Tablet computers are an evolution of the portable-laptop-notebook computer and have been around for several years. Lately, innovations in technology have allowed for an extreme compression of computing power into previously unheard of smaller sizes. Improved computing circuitry, more efficient heat release and greater storage capacity have all melded together to create this new breed of computer.

First Generation Tablets

Current Tablet Makers

• There are a wide variety of manufacturers of tablets today. Among some of the more popular are:– Apple (iPad)– Acer– Lenovo– Viewsonic– Samsung (Microsoft Windows 8)– Hewlett Packard– Dell– And a host of others

Apple iPad

Comparison-Microsoft Surface vs. Apple iPad

Name Microsoft Surface 2 Apple iPad (Fourth generation, Wi-Fi)

Editor Rating

Lowest Price $449.00 MSRP $499.99 Amazon

Tablet Type Slate Slate Dimensions 10.81 x 6.79 x 0.35 inches 9.5 x 7.31 x 0.37 inches Weight 1.49 lb 1.44 lb Operating System Microsoft Windows RT 8.1 Apple iOS CPU Nvidia Tegra 4 Apple A6X RAM 2 GB 1 GB Screen Size 10.6 inches 9.7 inches Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels 2048 x 1536 pixels Storage Capacity (as Tested) 32 GB 16 GB Storage Type SSD SSD Ports micro HDMI, USB, Proprietary Apple Lightning Wi-Fi (802.11x) Compatibility 2.4GHz 2.4GHZ/5GHz

Microsoft Surface

iPad and iPhone

E-readers-Kindle & Kindle Fire HD

Kindle Keypad

Smartphones

• What defines a smartphone– Operating system

• Android from Google• Windows CE from Microsoft• Blackberry from RIM• iOS from Apple• Symbian OS from Nokia

– Features• Powerful processors• Abundant memory• Independent applications• Multiple components, ie. Cameras(Front and Rear Facing), LED Flash,

wi-fi, touch screen, GPS, calendar, email

Smartphones• Some popular smartphones include: Blackberry Storm,

Motorola Droid, Verizon Android and Apple iPhone

Smartphone or Tablet?

• Newer models of smartphones combine the computing power of the tablet with the communication capability of a cell phone into one device, often with an included writing stylus. – Some units feature quad core processors– Front and rear facing cameras for video calling– Stylus for accurate drawing and pointing– Outstanding graphics on super large touch screens 5”

or larger

Smartphone Tablets

HTC S720E

LG Optimus VU P895

Samsung Galaxy Note III

Samsung Infuse 4G

Smartphone Apps

• What are Apps?– Apps refer to programs developed especially to

run on specific phone operating systems and within the confines of the phone environment

– Generally Apps designed to run on one phone operating system such as iOS will not run on a competing operating system such as Blackberry OS

Popular Tablet and Smartphone Apps

• iPhone Education Apps– http://smartphoneapps.com/iphone-education/

• Blackberry Education Apps– http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/appworld/?

• Android Education Apps– http://mobileappamerica.com/blog/2010/must-h

ave-educational-android-apps/• Combined Education Apps– http://www.ecampusnews.com/business-news/n

ew-10-of-the-best-apple-and-android-apps-for-higher-education-in-2013/?

iTunesU

• Apple iTunes hosts an amazing site known as iTunes U, an educational portal to podcasts from some of the top educational centers around the country. Lectures are recorded and published as podcasts which are available to whomever visits the particular school’s virtual lecture halls.

• http://www.apple.com/itunesu