Introduction to information systems T. Cornford, M. Shaikh is1 060 2013

4.2.3 Modern taxonomy of computers
Reading activity
Read Section 5.1, Chapter 5 of Laudon and Laudon (2013).
It has long been usual to classify computers as various distinct types. You 
need to be familiar with this terminology, even if today it is in some ways 
too limited to encompass all types of computer-like devices we find and 
use.
Personal computers (PCs), desktops, workstations: These are 
the computers we are most familiar with at home and at work – a box of 
electronics with keyboard and screen that can function as a computer on 
its own, but which is almost certainly connected to some network and thus 
to other computers and information resources – for example, the internet 
and the world wide web. These were far and away the most common type 
of computer until recently and the emergence of various new devices such 
as smartphones and tablets. These types of computer still allow all manner 
of people to have immediate and dedicated access to a computer with a 
big screen and a keyboard and mouse. Such a computer is usually only 
used by one person at a time, although they are able to run more than one 
program at a time.
Workstation is a name sometimes used for a powerful PC; for example, the 
computers used by scientists, engineers and computer professionals. This 
is in contrast to the general-purpose PC that an office worker may use. 
Mobiles, tablets and palm tops: There is now a whole new 
generation of computers, which are portable, mobile and multifunctional. 
They may be based on mobile phones, laptops or tablet computers such as 
the iPad. Such devices use wireless networking (for example, WiFI and/or 
mobile phone networks) to connect to other computers and information 
resources. Of course, their small size is a great advantage, but it is also 
a challenge in providing suitable means of input and output. Today this 
is often solved (to some degree) by using touch screens and/or voice 
recognition.