1.Desktop

Desktop computers are designed for use at a desk or table. They are typically larger and more powerful than a Laptop, handheld, or tablet computers. (but not always) Desktop computers are made up of separate components.

System unit – The case of the computer that houses the motherboard and other internal working s of the computer.

Monitor – Visual device related to the TV used to display visual Input and output data from the computer.

Mouse / Keyboard, - are basic input devices use to put data into your computer there are many more input devices that can be added to your computer.

Desktop computers are available in a variety of styles, ranging from large vertical housing for the models of limited size that can be hidden behind an LCD monitor.

Buyer ending Thoughts on Desktops I prefer the desktop computer over all others when it comes to production,

Easy to upgrade/fix desktop computers (Ram, Motherboards, Cpu’s) Great Learning Project – Teaching how to build computers

2. Laptop

Laptop computers are lightweight mobile PCs with a thin screen. They are often called notebook computers because of their small size. Laptops can operate on batteries, so you can take them anywhere. Unlike desktops, laptops combine the CPU, screen, and keyboard in a single case. The screen folds down onto the keyboard when not in use. Over the Years many laptops have become just as powerful as desktop computers. Buyer ending Thoughts on Laptops: It took me a while to get use to laptops and i still only use them very little but its a great tool Great for production if you like the form factor Highly Mobile

3.Hand held

• Handheld computers, also called personal digital assistants (PDAs), are battery-powered computers small enough to carry almost anywhere. Although not as powerful as desktops or laptops, hand-helds are useful for scheduling appointments, storing addresses and phone numbers, and playing games. Some have more advanced capabilities, such as making telephone calls or accessing the Internet. Instead of keyboards, hand-helds have touch screens that you use with your finger or a stylus (a pen-shaped pointing tool).

4.Tablet

• Tablet PCs are mobile PCs that combine features of laptops and hand-helds. Like laptops, they’re powerful and have a built-in screen. Like hand-helds, they allow you to write notes or draw pictures on the screen, usually with a tablet pen instead of a stylus.  Some Tablet PCs are “convertibles” with a screen that swivels and unfolds to reveal a keyboard underneath.

Abacus – Considered the very first computer from ancient times uses rods and beads to calculate thought of more like the western calculator it’s still in uses today mostly in the African and Eastern countries.

The Atanasoff–Berry Computer (ABC) - was the first electronic digital computing device. Conceived in 1937, the machine was not programmable, until 1973 another computer called the ENIAC was considered the first computer. A U.S. District Court invalidated the ENIAC patent and concluded that the ENIAC inventors had derived the subject matter of the electronic digital computer from Atanasoff

The ENIAC Computer – Was thought to be the first modern computer until the discovery of (The Atanasoff-Berry Computer) in 1973 A USA District Court,invalidated the ENIAC patent and concluded that the ENIAC inventors had derived the subject matter of the electronic digital computer from Atanasoff. The ENIAC was design and construction was financed by the United States Army during World War II.

Early computers – Used vacuum tubes for calculating data and Punch cards, punch film, and punch paper tape to input data.

Today computers- replaced Vacuum tubes with integrated circuits (IC) Microprocessors also called a (CPU) is a special kind of (IC) used to calculate data. Also today’s computers have a Wide variety of devices to input data such as Keyboards, mouse, and scanners to name a few, this replaces the need for punch cards, punch film, and punch paper tape.

Today Computers – Also uses other devices to store or save data such as:

Floppy Disk – Not used much anymore if at all - Older

Flash drives – Still used – Mostly replaced the need for floppy disk – Newer

Tape reels – Still used – Older

SAN – (Storage area network) still used – some say will fully replace the Tape Reels. – Newer

Hard drive disk (HDD) – Still used has a head and spinning platters. – Older

Solid State Drive (SSD) – Still used related to the flash drive – will fully replace the (HDD) – Newer

 

The basic Function of a Computer:

• Accept input instructions and data,
• Process that data,
• Output the results of the processed data
• Storage of Data

This will complete your (zero-one) Knowledge level.  Investigate further on the above subjects  can’t hurt.