Types of computers

… as I’ll explain to you now, ₁_____ can be divided into five main types, depending on their ₂_____ and ₃______. These are: ₄_____, desktop PCs, laptops, ₅______­­­­ and personal digital assistants, or ₆_____.

Mainframes are the ₇________ and ₈____ ______ computers. The basic configuration of a mainframe consists of a ₉______ _____ which processes, immense amounts of data very quickly. The central system provides ₁₀______ and computing ₁₁______ for hundreds of ₁₂_____ connected together in a ₁₃______. Mainframes are used for large-scale computing purposes in ₁₄_____, universities and big ₁₅_____.

₁₆_________, or personal computers, carry out their processing on a single ₁₇__________. They are usually classified by size and ₁₈_________. A desktop PC is designed _19­­_____ ___ ______ on your desk. It is used as a home computer or as a ₂₀_________ for group work. Typical examples are the ₂₁____ ______ and the Apple Macintosh.

A ₂₂________ is a portable computer that has a flat ₂₃____ _____ and uses batteries for mobile use. Small laptops are called ₂₄________. The latest models can run as fast as similar ₂₅_________ computers and have similar ₂₆________. They are ideal for business executives who ₂₇________ a lot.

A ₂₈_______ ___ is a type of notebook computer that has an LCD screen on which you can write with a ₂₉________ or digital pen. Your ₃₀________ is recognized and converted into editable text. You can also input text by using ₃₁________ ________ or a small keyboard. You can fold and ₃₂________ the screen easily.

Finally, a PDA is a ₃₃________, hand-held computer. The letters stand for ₃₄_______ _______ _______. The term refers to to a wide variety of hand-held devices including palmtops and ₃₅_______ ___. For input, you type using a small ₃₆________ or you use a stylus – a special pen to select items on the screen. PDAs can be used as ₃₇_______ ______, personal organizers or ₃₈______ ______. They also let you ₃₉________ the Internet via ₄₀_____ networks, and some include a ₄₁____ ________ ____.

Exercise 52. (Track 1.5). Listen to the following extract from a radio talk show and fill in the missing information about the types of computers.

	Portable Power: runs on (1) ____________ Weight: between 15 and (2) ____ pounds Screen size: about ten inches diagonally Input device: keyboard
	(3) __________ Power: runs on rechargeable (4) _______ Weight: generally between 8 and 15 pounds Screen size: about (5) ______ diagonally Input device: keyboard
	Notebook Power: batteries Weight: as little as (6) _______ pounds Screen size: as small as (7) _____ inches Input device: keyboard
	Clipboard Power: (8) ____________ batteries Weight: between (9) _____ and 6 pounds Screen size: similar to notebook and laptop Input device: (10) ____________
	(11) ___________ Power: can operate on (12) _______ batteries Weight: less than (13) __________ Screen size: very small Input device: keys

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14