| Type
| Description
|
| Desktop |
The Desktop is the most common type of microcomputer. Desktop PCs are quite bulky and are usually connected to several external peripherals such as a mouse,
keyboard and printer. Desktop machines are not very portable but can be upgraded fairly easily to enhance their capabilities. |
| Laptop |
A laptop is a small microcomputer which is portable. Laptops are battery powered and incorporate all of the important components of a computer system such as keyboard and
VDU into one unit. Most laptops are about the size of an A4 folder. Laptops are also known as notebooks. |
| Palmtop or PDA |
A Palmtop or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a very small microcomputer which is designed to be handheld and fit in a jacket pocket. Palmtops/PDAs can carry out general purpose computing tasks and are usually
supplied with software such as a diary and address book to help the owner organise his life. |
| Games Console |
A games console is a microcomputer that has been specifically designed to play computer games. It will probably incorporate a CD-ROM or
DVD drive to load the games from and be supplied with an input device consisting of a joystick and small keypad. |
| Embedded System |
An embedded system is a computer system which forms part of a larger device such as a washing machine, video recorder or car. Embedded systems are usually suited to just one specific task and can not
be connected to general purpose peripherals such as keyboards and printers. Embedded systems are often used in control applications to perform real time processing.
|
