Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 · Topic 1: Types and components of computer systems · Paper 1
1.5Emerging technologies
Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 · Topic 1: Types and components of computer systems · Paper 1
You will learn to
Describe desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and phablets.
Compare types of computer for portability, expandability and typical uses.
Explain the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality.
Describe an emerging technology, such as AI or extended reality, with one use and one risk.
Success criteria
I can fill in a comparison table for four types of computer.
I can choose a type of computer for a given job, and justify it.
I can give one use and one risk of my emerging technology.
The syllabus points for these sections
Describe desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets and phablets.
Compare them on portability, expandability and typical uses.
Give advantages and disadvantages of each type for a given job.
Describe artificial intelligence and give examples of its use.
Explain virtual reality and augmented reality and how they differ.
Describe uses and impacts of extended reality.
Key words
Say each word, then read what it means. Every one is in the glossary too.
System software
Software that runs and maintains the computer, such as the operating system and drivers.
RAM
Random access memory: volatile memory holding the programs and data in use.
ROM
Read-only memory: non-volatile memory holding the start-up instructions.
Operating system
System software that manages the hardware, files and programs, and gives the user an interface.
Expandability
How easily parts can be added or upgraded.
Artificial intelligence
A computer system that does tasks normally needing human thinking.
Virtual reality
A computer-made world that fully replaces what the user sees.
Augmented reality
Computer images added on top of a live view of the real world.
The explanation
Read it here, or open the study page below to go one step at a time with things to try.
1.4 Types of computer
Desktop computers
A desktop computer sits in one place, usually on a desk. It has a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Expandability means how easily parts can be added or upgraded. Desktops are very expandable: you can add more RAM or a better graphics card.
Uses: office work, school computer rooms, gaming, video editing.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Easy to upgrade and repair, because parts are standard and easy to reach
Not portable, so you can only use it in one place
More processing power for the price than a laptop
Needs a mains power supply, so stops if the power fails
Full-size keyboard and large monitor, better for long periods of work
Cables and separate parts take up desk space
Mobile computers
A laptop has the screen, keyboard, touchpad and battery in one case.
A smartphone is a phone with an operating system that can run apps and use the internet.
A tablet is a flat touch-screen computer, bigger than a phone. A phablet is in between: a large phone with a screen of about 6 to 7 inches.
All run on batteries and connect by Wi-Fi or mobile data, so they work almost anywhere.
Type
Advantage
Disadvantage
Laptop
Portable and still has a real keyboard, so good for typing on the move
Harder to upgrade than a desktop; easier to steal or drop
Smartphone
Fits in a pocket; always with you; calls, apps and internet in one device
Small screen and keyboard make long documents hard; battery runs out quickly with heavy use
Tablet
Larger screen than a phone, good for reading and video; long battery life
On-screen keyboard is slow for long typing; little or no expandability
Phablet
Bigger screen than a phone but still pocket-sized
Harder to use with one hand; too big for some pockets
!Watch out
"Portable" alone rarely earns a mark. Say what it allows: "can be used on the train because it runs on a battery and is light."
Comparing the types
In an exam, compare on the same feature each time: portability, screen size, processing power, expandability, battery, cost.
Feature
Desktop
Laptop
Tablet / smartphone
Portability
Low
Medium
High
Expandability
High
Low
Very low
Power supply
Mains
Battery or mains
Battery
Typing long text
Best
Good
Poor
Typical use
Office, gaming, editing
Students, travelling workers
Messaging, browsing, reading, photos
1.5 Emerging technologies
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a computer system that does tasks that normally need human thinking. Examples: recognising faces, understanding speech, making decisions.
Many AI systems learn from large amounts of data. The more examples they see, the better they get.
Uses: voice assistants, chatbots on shop websites, spotting fraud in bank payments, medical image analysis, self-driving cars.
Positive impacts
Negative impacts
Can work all day without tiring, so faster and more consistent
Can replace some jobs, causing unemployment
Can spot patterns in data humans would miss, e.g. early signs of disease
Only as good as its training data, so it can be biased or wrong
Can do dangerous or boring tasks
Expensive to develop; people may rely on it too much
Extended reality: VR and AR
Extended reality (XR) is the general name for technologies that mix the real and computer-made worlds.
Virtual reality (VR) replaces the real world completely. The user wears a headset and sees only a computer-generated world. Sensors track head movement.
Augmented reality (AR) adds computer images on top of the real world. The user looks through a phone camera or smart glasses and still sees what is around them.
Virtual reality (VR)
Augmented reality (AR)
Real world visible?
No, fully replaced
Yes, with extra images added
Equipment
Headset, often with hand controllers
Smartphone, tablet or smart glasses
Example uses
Pilot and surgeon training, games, virtual tours of a museum
Seeing furniture in your room before buying, navigation arrows on a street, games like catching virtual creatures
Disadvantage
Can cause motion sickness; user cannot see real hazards
Needs a good camera and processing; drains battery
e.g.Example
A Madrid medical school trains students on a VR operating theatre. Mistakes cost nothing and no patient is at risk.
A furniture shop app uses AR: point the phone at your living room and a virtual sofa appears in the right size.
!Watch out
Do not mix them up. VR = you are inside a virtual world. AR = virtual things are added to your real world.