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, System Technologies & implications
1. COMPUTERS IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES
WHY DO WE USE COMPUTERS? [PROCESSORS]
EFFICIENCY: Time saving
→ works faster than humans
→ time consuming tasks > bigger scale
Work
→ reduce labour involved > mentally intensive and repetitive physical
tasks
→ perform tasks dangerous for people to perform solely
Resources
→ = cost money = computers programmed to work more
efficiently with resources
→ Technology = used to monitor & limit carbon emissions = air we
breathe cleaner
ACCURACY: → computers have quality programs and quality data = extremely
accurate [Repeatable accuracy = essential in mass production]
→ software is correct & up to date = computer perform the same
tasks over and over with 100% accuracy
aspects ensuring that computers are accurate:
application programs + data = high quality
RELIABILITY: → relied on to do tasks accurately, without getting tired, getting
bored, complaining, or asking for more money [human qualities]
→ help us to record and use data efficiently → allowing users to
work in an organized and competent way = a lot of work done
with little effort
→ Efficient data entry = aided by accurate data entry = aided by
the use of data validation techniques
→ process data reliably = users enter the data accurately]
→ 'garbage in, garbage out' (GIGO) = inaccurate inputs will result in
inaccurate outputs
COMMUNICATION: & virtually eliminate time and distance [business restrictions]
& communicate & share information > different ways worldwide
(ICT = wide range of communication methods)
& save on communication costs = no longer necessary to spend
large sums of money on communication and transfer of
documents etc.
& social interaction on a global scale [Social networking tools]
OLD DAYS: suppliers take longer communication = slower pace of
business transactions
NOW: Global Range + Speed (Computers) = Reduce Time and Distance
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, TYPES OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
FACTORS TO COMPARE COMPUTER SYSTEMS
1. powerful [POWER CAPACITY] → specifications of the computers [speed of CPUs, and
how much RAM they have installed]
2. Type of usage
3. Their size (mobility) → RANGE from large (mainframe) computers that fill large rooms
to laptops, tablets and smartphones.
4. Software usage → type of operating systems = 'platforms' [computers = 'Linux
machines' or 'Windows machines']
(5.PRICE)
NON- = system unit, screen, mouse and keyboard
PORTABLE [“ALL IN ONE UNIT”]
COMPUTERS = large in size & not intended to be moved
around
= generally more powerful than mobile or
portable computers
= easier to transport and take up less space [more difficult > repair or
upgrade]
→ work / DESKTOP computer = lower specifications cost less
→ server = powerful computer used to provide resources and services
to all the computers connected in a network
Benefits of non-portable computers
1. more powerful than portable
2. "all-in-one" version = easy transport + takes up less space
PORTABLE → = traditional operating system (Windows,
COMPUTERS Linux and macOS)
→ = hardware designed for portability [all-in-
one design]
→ = includes the screen, keyboard, and a
pointing device & a battery so that it can
be used for a limited number of hours
without access to an external power source.
WHAT TYPE OF DESKTOPS COST LESS?
Desktops with lower specifications i.e. :
1) lower processing speed
2) lower RAM
3) lower storage capacity
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, A computer that is cheapest to purchase in its range, with low specifications
ENTRY-LEVEL COMPUTER
& cheapest to buy in their range
& fairly low hardware specifications & installed with Home Editions of office suites and
operating systems > fewer features compared to the professional versions of
these programs
& specifications of these systems change over time, so a current top-level computer
system will be considered an entry-level system in a few years
QUIZZZZ!
difference between smartphones / tablets / tablets AND laptops = first three are
designed to be 'always on' and 'always connected' = ALWAYS on and ready to use - only in
a power-saving 'standby' mode.
POS: POINT OF SALE Set of technologies designed to speed up the sales process in a
shop.
USER CATEGORIES
PERSONAL designed to be used by one person at a time for a variety of tasks
USERS (PC’s) [basic input and output devices]
→ limited office tasks
→ Internet Banking
→ Email and Browse the Web
→ social networking
→ to Skype with Family and Friends Overseas
→ to view and share photos
→ for entertainment
SOHO USERS → single office / home office (SOHO)
→ uses a collection of computer devices that are connected to each
other in a small area such as an office or home office
depends on the type of business the user is running = need a common
entry level computer for administrative functions [entry level
computer required = general functions]
& databases with customers, suppliers, inventory, etc.
& Electronic Documentary Filing
& Planning and scheduling, etc.
POWER USERS → faster and more expensive than ordinary personal computers =
higher central processing unit (CPU) speed & permanent storage
→ need computers with higher specifications > applications that
require more resources than normal applications (architects,
photographers and professional players)
→ Make Top-Of-The-Series Hardware Indispensable
→ need high-end specifications
→ use all the advanced features of the software they use
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