The document presents an overview of personal computing options, detailing desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It discusses key components such as CPUs, memory, storage, and operating systems, highlighting the specifications and differences among various devices. Additionally, it addresses the evolution of mobile computing and provides comparisons of notable tablets and smartphones.

1. Desktop, Laptop, Tablet or Smartphone
Personal Computing Choices
Presented by:
Dr. Jan Vanderpool
vanderj@wlac.edu

2. 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

3. Getting to Know Your Computer
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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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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.h
tml

9. Traditional Desktop Computers

10. All-In-One Desktop Computers
Acer, HP, Lenovo and Samsung

11. 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.

12. Netbooks
Typically 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

13. Notebooks

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. First Generation Tablets

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

18. Apple iPad

19. ComparisonMicrosoft 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, ProprietaryApple Lightning
Wi-Fi (802.11x) Compatibility2.4GHz
2.4GHZ/5GHz

20. Microsoft Surface

21. iPad and iPhone

22. E-readers-Kindle & Kindle Fire HD

23. Kindle Keypad

24. Smartphones
• What defines a smartphone
– Operating system
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Android from Google
Windows CE from Microsoft
Blackberry from RIM
iOS from Apple
Symbian OS from Nokia
– Features
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Powerful processors
Abundant memory
Independent applications
Multiple components, ie. Cameras(Front and Rear Facing), LED
Flash, wi-fi, touch screen, GPS, calendar, email

25. Smartphones
• Some popular smartphones include: Blackberry Storm,
Motorola Droid, Verizon Android and Apple iPhone

26. 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.
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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

27. Smartphone Tablets
Samsung Galaxy
Note III
LG Optimus
VU P895
HTC S720E
Samsung
Infuse 4G

28. 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

29. 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-haveeducational-android-apps/
• Combined Education Apps
– http://www.ecampusnews.com/business-news/new10-of-the-best-apple-and-android-apps-for-highereducation-in-2013/?

30. 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