Unit II. TYPES OF COMPUTERS




I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most

empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication,

they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.

Bill Gates

Text 1 «Classes of Computers »

Scan the text and match the pictures with the computer types.

4
5 6

Read the text again and say which device uses UNIX as the operating system.

CLASSES OF COMPUTERS

Supercomputer is the fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.

The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs concurrently.

Mainframe is a very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of connected users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe. The distinction between small mainframes and minicomputers is vague, depending really on how the manufacturer wants to market its machines.

Minicomputer is a midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.

The term microcomputer is generally synonymous with personal computer (PC), or a computer that depends on a microprocessor. Microcomputers are designed to be used by individuals, whether in the form of PCs, workstations or notebook computers. A microcomputer contains a central processing unit (CPU) on a microchip (the microprocessor), a memory system (typically read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM)), a bus system and I/O ports, typically housed in a motherboard.

Workstation is a computer intended for individual use that is faster and more capable than a personal computer. It's intended for business or professional use (rather than home or recreational use). Workstations and applications designed for them are used by small engineering companies, architects, graphic designers, and any organization, department, or individual that requires a faster microprocessor, a large amount of random access memory, and special features such as high-speed graphics adapters. Historically, the workstation developed technologically about the same time and for the same audience as the UNIX operating system, which is often used as the workstation operating system. Among the most successful makers of this kind of workstation are Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, DEC, and IBM.

PDA is short for personal digital assistant, is a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, Internet and networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal organizer. PDAs may also be referred to as a palmtop, hand-held computer or pocket computer.

Unlike portable computers, most PDAs began as pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they also incorporated handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies. PDAs are available in either a stylus or keyboard version.

Apple Computer, which introduced the Newton MessagePad in 1993, was one of the first companies to offer PDAs. Shortly thereafter, several other manufacturers offered similar products. One of the most popular brands of PDAs was the series of Palm Pilots from Palm, Inc.

As technology changed the world of mobile devices, the PDA has become obsolete as devices like touch-screen smartphones and tablets grow in popularity. Many of the original manufacturers of PDAs eventually entered the smartphone and tablet market, or were bought out by larger companies. For example, Palm was purchased by HP and the operating system was used in a line of early HP TouchPads.

Vocabulary Focus

3. Match the synonyms and their Russian equivalents ( Соотнесите синонимы и их перевод)

1. need a. capable одновременный

2. huge b. direct устаревший

3. perform с. require огромный

4. concurrent d. obsolete смутный

5. channel e. vague выполнять

6. able f. immense требоваться

7. outmoded g. simultaneous способный

8. blurred h. execute направлять

4. Fill in the gaps with the words from the previous exercise ( Заполните пропуски словами из предыдущего упражнения ):

1. Please call this number if you _______ any further information.

2. A lot of money has been ___________ into research in that particular field.

3. We need to get an assistant who's __________ and efficient.

4. Their report is deliberately _______ on future economic prospects

5. Gas lamps became __________ when electric lighting was invented.

6. The exhibition reflected _____________ developments abroad.

7. I have a python script that needs to __________ an external program, but for some reason fails.

5. Translate using the vocabulary of the text:

1. Универсальная ЭВМ

2. Рабочая станция /дисплейный терминал

3. Персональный цифровой ассистент

4. Карманный/ручной компьютер

5. компьютер с перьевым вводом данных

6. За последние годы стерлось различие между большим миникомпьютером и небольшой универсальной ЭВМ.

7. Персональный компьютер предназначен для работы и отдыха.

8. В карманный компьютер заложена функция распознавания рукописного текста и голосовых сообщений.

 

Grammar Focus

6. Put the words in the brackets in the correct form ( Поставьте слова в скобках в правильной форме )

1. Supercomputer is the (fast) and (expensive) type of computer.

2. Mainframes are (expensive) than supercomputers.

3. Supercomputers are (good) at executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas mainframes are (good) at executing many programs concurrently.

4. In some ways, mainframes are (powerful) than supercomputers because they support (many) simultaneous programs.

5. But supercomputers can execute a single program (fast) than a mainframe.

6. Minicomputers are (powerful) than workstations but (powerful) than mainframes.

7. Minicomputers are (small) than mainframes but (big) than workstations.

8. Large minicomputers are as powerful (as/ than) small mainframes.

9. Workstations are not (so/more) powerful as small mainframes.

10. A workstation has a (fast) microprocessor, a (large) amount of RAM than a PC.

11. PDA is (small) of the devices mentioned in the text.

Comprehension

7. In the text find the answers to the questions ( Найдите в тексте ответы на вопросы ):

Which of the devices …

1) is capable of supporting 300-3000 users simultaneously?

2) is intended for business or professional use?

3) can function as a cellular phone?

4) is used for animated graphics?

5) incorporates handwriting recognitionfeatures?

6) is used by small engineering companies?

7) is capable of supporting 15-150 users simultaneously?

8) is employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations?

9) has come out of use because of new technologies?

10) reacts to voice input by using voice recognition technologies?

11) is referred to as hand-held computer?

12) is used by graphic designers?

13) is used for nuclear energy research?

14) is used by architects?

15) is the fastest type of computers?

 



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