Vocabulary practice Section 3. 1. Choose the correct option. 1

1. Choose the correct option.

1. Which is true? a. a mainframe computer is less powerful than a minicomputer b. a mainframe is more powerful than a minicomputer. 2. Mainframe computers are used by: a. executives and businessmen. b. large organizations that need to process enormous amounts of data. 3. 'Multi-tasking' means: a. doing a number of tasks at the same time

b. access to a minicomputer through terminals.

4. The most suitable computers for home use are

a. minicomputers b. desktop PCs.

5. Handheld computers are

a. small enough to fit into the palm of one hand. b. bigger than laptops.

2. Which type of computer do these descriptions refer to?

1. a hand-held computer which can be used as a telephone, a web explorer and a personal organizer
2. a typical computer found in many businesses and popular for home use
3. a large computer used for intensive data processing and often linked to many terminals
4. a small computer that fits into items of clothing
5. a portable computer that can be closed up like a briefcase, but it can be as powerful as a desktop PC
6. a full-function PC, though it only weighs 1.2 kg - you can go to a meeting and write your notes on it, like a paper notepad; its screen mode can be changed from portrait to landscape

3. Look at these extracts from emails to an online helpdesk. Which type of computer is each person talking about – laptop, tablet PC, desktop PC, mainframe or PDA?

1. I dropped it as I was getting out of a taxi, and now it won’t turn on. 2. I lost the stylus. Is it safe to use a pencil to input directly onto the screen? 3. As soon as it went offline, every PC on the network crashed. 4. I was rotating the screen round to show something to a colleague, and now it won’t move.

5. Can you send someone down to show me the best position for my monitor and keyboard? I want to avoid getting any back or neck problems.

4. Fill in the gaps:

Palmtop computer, mainframe computer, handheld computer, portable computer, laptop computer, minicomputer, microcomputer, desktop computer, subnotebook, notebook.

There are different types of computers. The largest and the most powerful are 1……... 2…….. are smaller than 3…….. but are still very powerful. 4…….. are small enough to sit on a desk. 5…….. are very small. The largest 6…….. is a 7……... Smaller 8…….., about the size of a piece of writing paper, are called 9…….. 10……… are smaller than 11………, you can hold them in one hand. They are called 12…….. or 13……...

5. Look at the computer advertisement and find this information.

1. What type of computer is advertised?
2. What kind of screen does it have?
3. Which pointing device replaces the mouse?
4. What type of ports does it have for connecting cameras and music players?
5. What sort of power supply does it use?

- Intel Centrino processor - 1,024 MB RAM, 100 GB hard disk drive - DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive - 15.4" widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD display - 85-key keyboard and touchpad - 2 memory slots, 1 PC Card or PCMCIA slot

Toshiba Satellite

- Wireless communications: Wi-- Fi compliancy and Bluetooth - 4 USB ports for connecting peripherals: digital camera, MP3 player, modem, etc. - 6-cell rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack

6. Read this interview with Adam Hawkins, an IT manager, and complete it with words from the Key Information Section.

Interviewer: What are the basic features of a PDA? Adam: Well, a typical PDA is a (1) ……. device that runs on batteries and combines computing, phone and Net capabilities. Interviewer: And how do you enter information? Adam: For input, you use a (2) ……. or pen to write and make selections on a (3) …….; they also have buttons for launching

programs. Some models have a small keyboard. They may have a (4)……. system that reacts to the user's voice.

Interviewer: Do they need special software?

Adam: Yes, most of them run on Windows Mobile. Palmtops supported by Palm Inc. use Palm OS. Pen-based systems include (5)……., so you write on the screen and the computer recognizes your handwriting and inserts the appropriate letters.

Interviewer: What sort of things can you do with a PDA?

Adam: You can store personal information, take notes, draw diagrams and make calculations. Many PDAs can access the Net via (6) ……. technology.

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