1. Scan the text and name basic laptop and desktop types. (Просмотрите текст и перечислите основные разновидности ноутбуков и настольных компьютеров)
2. Read and translate the text. (Прочитайте и переведите текст)
PERSONAL COMPUTER TYPES
Manufacturers use the term “Form Factor” to describe a computer’s size and shape. Laptops come in 5 different form factors. Desktops come in 3 different form factors. Here’s a closer look at each.
Laptops
Netbooks are very small, thin, light and inexpensive laptop computers. They are designed for those who are constantly on the move therefore their distinguishing feature is their ability to wirelessly access the internet. Netbooks and Ultra-portables share many of the same internal components and their specs are often indistinguishable from one another. Unlike all other laptops, netbooks rely heavily on software that runs on the internet instead of the device itself. This feature allows designers to reduce hardware specs and their associated costs without appreciably impacting the performance of the device. Netbooks have reasonable performance but they are not designed to support tasks that require heavy duty computation. Before buying a netbook, consumers should factor in the cost of the broadband contract that’s required to make full use of its capabilities.
Ultra-portable Laptops
If you are a frequent flier, a road warrior or an on-the-go student who values mobility, then ultra-portables are the right kind of laptop for you. Ultra-portables are extremely light weight (4 pounds or less), thin (less than 20 millimeters) and very compact (typically less than 14″ wide). They typically have high-powered, low voltage processors in the Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge families, near instant-on and instant-resume capabilities, and fast storage, typically via SSDs, all in a sub $1,000 package. Ultrabooks are distinguished from netbooks by offering more power in the form of faster processors and additional RAM, as well as better storage and larger screen sizes, features that also make these laptops significantly more expensive than most netbooks. These are very capable computers but their size limits the number of features that are usually built-in to other laptops in the same price range. Most ultrabooks come with a built-in broadband radio that lets you access the internet via a cell phone connection. These machines are ideally suited for word processing, emailing and web surfing. One feature that sets ultra-portables apart from all other laptops is their battery life. Ultra-portable battery life typically exceeds 6 hours (more than enough for a transcontinental flight).
Midsize Laptops have screens that are 14” to 16” wide (measured diagonally). They weigh between 4.5 and 8 pounds. Midsized laptops are designed to appeal to many different audiences and markets. They offer a balanced mix of features, mobility and price. That combination makes them the most popular laptop form factor. They typically have networking and security features that make them very attractive to business. They also have sufficient power to handle all but the most demanding business applications. Midsize laptops are also ideal for the home use. They are easily networked and have enough power to support most of the applications that family members would be interested in (i.e. email correspondence, web surfing, household budgeting, casual gaming, photo-editing and multi-media production).
Large Size Laptops have screens that are at least 17” wide. They typically weigh between 6.5 pounds and 15 pounds. This class of laptop computers is the most powerful on the market. Their distinguishing characteristics include superior performance, ease of customization and lack of mobility. Hardware specs for this type of laptop often include the latest and fastest components on the market. Their large size gives them plenty of internal space which can be used to customize the unit in unique ways. It’s common for these laptops to be outfitted with more than one hard disk, optical drive and battery. The chassis also provides adequate space for a wide assortment of plugs, ports and cards. All this flexibility doesn’t come cheap. The cost of some high-end laptops can easily exceed $10,000. Large size laptops are industrial strength machines that can easily handle the most demanding software applications on the market. They make great engineering workstations and are excellent multimedia, gaming and graphic arts production machines.
Tablet PCs 
come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and weights. Their distinguishing features are their color touch screens and their mobility. Tablet PCs come in two different varieties: “slates” and “convertibles”. Slates generally don’t come with built-in keyboards or mice. Convertibles on the other hand do. In fact, with the exception of their pivoting touch screens, Convertible Tablets are often indistinguishable from midsize laptops. Tablet PCs are typically found in places where the use of keyboards and mice is inconvenient or impossible (i.e. factories, warehouses, hospitals, stores and restaurants, etc.). Slate Tablets are sold as e-book readers and entertainment devices. Their size and weight make them ideal for viewing digital content. They all come with some form of wireless communications built-in. That makes them perfect for logistics technicians, designers, medical professionals, students or who use on-the-go networked applications or have a constant need for textbooks.
Desktops
Tower Models range in size from knee high to textbook size units. The big units are known as full size towers. The small units are known as mini- or micro towers. Towers are vertically oriented and traditionally located on tabletops or floors. Most towers can also be mounted in furniture with special hardware brackets. Towers are available in all price ranges and have become the most popular form factor on the market.
Desktop Models are dimensionally similar to tower computers. Traditionally, Desktops are placed horizontally on tabletops or desks. Monitors are usually placed on top of the case. It’s become increasingly common for manufacturers to offer the same computer in either a tower or desktop configuration. It’s as easy to find an inexpensive tower or desktop as it is to find an expensive one. Since performance and price go hand in hand, at the low end of the range, you’ll find the least capable machines. At the high end of the scale you’ll find the most powerful computers on the market. The one feature that distinguishes tower and desktop systems from all other form factors is their internal flexibility. Their spacious, boxlike chassis makes it easy for manufacturers to mass produce equipment that is tailored to a specific market. It also allows end-users to swap out or add components and perform routine maintenance. Towers and desktop systems are the most customizable and robust computers on the market. Towers and desktops are truly general purpose machines.
All-In-One Computers are desktop units where every component except a keyboard and mouse is stuffed into the housing of a flat screen monitor. All-In-One computers have been available in one form or another, since the introduction of the personal computer. Over the years, the popularity of these devices has experienced the ebb and flow. Today, their popularity is once again on the rise. They come in a large number of makes and models. Prices vary according to performance and screen size. All-In-One computers make great general purpose machines for the home or office. They also make great gaming machines. At the high end, they make excellent engineering workstations. They are well suited for multi-media and graphic arts production or 3D modeling and rendering.