Table of contents:

Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Aim ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Classification of Computers .......................................................................................................................... 5
General Purpose Computers ..................................................................................................................... 5
Special Purpose Computers ...................................................................................................................... 6
Encountered computers ................................................................................................................................. 7
Special-Purpose computer ...................................................................................................................... 10
Automatic Teller Machine – ATM ......................................................................................................... 10
Washing Machine ................................................................................................................................... 13
Refrigerator ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Train token dispenser .............................................................................................................................. 16
Xerox Printer and Scanner ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Smart Projector ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Air Conditioner ....................................................................................................................................... 20
Car Embedded Systems .......................................................................................................................... 22
General-Purpose computer...................................................................................................................... 24
Smartphone ............................................................................................................................................. 25
Notebook ................................................................................................................................................. 26
Tablets ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Smartwatch ............................................................................................................................................. 31
Comparison between Special Purpose computers and General-Purpose computers .................................. 32
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 33
References ................................................................................................................................................... 34
Table of Figures:

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Acknowledgement

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Abstract

Computers can be found everywhere nowadays, and those devices can be used in so many different
things in our daily life from Credit card usage to watching TV shows or even playing games or
working. Some devices make use of embedded pcs for example Refrigerators, Washing Machine
or airplane entertainment system. However, each computer is operated differently. The following
report will be based on the different types of computers according to their purpose and shows the
difference between general purpose and special purpose computers and how people used to
manage the very same tasks before introduction of computers.

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Introduction

“The Computer is an Electronic Device which accepts the input data processing according to their
Instruction and it gives output result”. Computers in daily life can be explored for both its direct
and indirect uses. People nowadays use computers for working or gaming which are both direct
uses, while using an ATM is actually the use of a computer-based technology. The internet has
provided access to a vast ocean of information for every imaginable fields. Computers have proved
themselves very useful in the field of Technology and Science as well as Medical.

Computers come in various shape and sizes and are present in every household in any form.
Throughout the years technology has been growing so much that it became an important tool in
everyone’s life. Years after years those devices keep upgrading and improving themselves in terms
of specifications, ease of use, and performance as well as size. However, they can be classified
into different categories according to different purposes.

Aim

Objectives

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Classification of Computers

Computers nowadays can be sorted into different types depending on their purpose, operation and
size. This report will be mostly focused on the classification of computers on basis of their purpose.
Classification based on purpose can be further subdivided into two different categories that is
General Purpose Computers and Special Purpose Computers.

General Purpose Computers

General Purpose Computers are computers that can be used for any purpose. They are designed to
support multiple applications and conduct various types of tasks. These computers are generally
in the form of mainframes, servers, notebook and laptops, desktop computers as well as tablets
and phablets.
Normal general-purpose computers are computers present in every household nowadays. Through
those devices one may connect to the internet and be exposed to live news across the World and
access all kind of information at any time. It also allows the user to install the various software to
assist the computer in performing different tasks through a single device. Some commonly
installed software is the Microsoft package. Computers can be used by anyone for various type of
activities such as for learning and teaching purposes, for gaming, for work or for personal use.
Computers nowadays can be found in the various fields such as Mathematics, Science,
Engineering, Medical, Design and so much more. However, those devices still require specialized
software which are also known as computer embedded software, for example computer aided
design software also called CAD software which are used for uniquely one purpose, that is, for
designing purposes.

General purpose devices come in different shapes and sizes varying from the user’s needs and
comfort. Those devices come in different brands and models as well again depending on the user’s
needs and whether the user can afford it or not. Usually the prices of those computers vary
according to the specifications of the device, the higher performance, the more expensive they are.
Full desktop PCs come in different sizes and prices according to the user’s preference. A normal
desktop PC used by an individual at home for basic computer usage would be different from a full
gaming PC. For example, for normal basic usage one would use a basic Dell Optiplex 990 mini
tower while a gamer would use an Alienware Aurora R7 enhanced with the various appropriate
hardware for better gaming experience. Same applies to smartphones where some people would
afford the cheaper brands while others who can afford it would use the lasted most trendy brands
which are Samsung and Apple devices.

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Computers have brought ease to our life since before introduction of those devices, the same tasks
used to be performed but alternatively. For example, people used to write down their letters or
document or make use of typewriters. And documents used to be archived in cabinets and most
companies recruited people whose job were to only to prepare and sort documents. Also browsing
was not as easy as a simple google search as nowadays. People had to go through encyclopedias,
library journals, archives, and many more before performing any research. With the help of
computers, many subjects have been simplified. For example, Mathematical problems can now be
solved through usage of a computer instead of spending hours performing calculations one by one.
With the help of this new technology, life has become more sophisticated and with the introduction
of IOT in daily life, computers are slowly taking over many tasks once performed by human being
themselves from controlling the house temperature to self-driven cars.

Special Purpose Computers

Special Purpose computers are created to uniquely serve for a single purpose or for a specific job.
They are mostly used in cases where total concentration and accuracy is required for example, for
space satellite launching, or for weather forecasting. Those devices can be sorted out into analog,
digital or hybrid computers, depending on their operational principle.
As the name tells it all, the special purpose computers are designed to generally solve one problem.
For example, an ATM can be used for monetary transactions only or a washing machine used for
the washing and drying of clothes. They have been configured in a way to provided repeated tasks,
that is they can keep doing the same tasks continuously unlike human being who would require
more break and time for the same task. Such a system can be used in every complex fields for a
specific job for example, oil exploration computers would be used for only this purpose or medical
apparatuses for example MRI machine can be solely used for body scanning purposes.
The instructions controlling those devices are pre-fed to the apparatuses and are configured to
perform in a specific way. One major disadvantage of special purpose computers can be the
computer’s lack of versality which means the device can be used for is sole purpose. It cannot be
used for other tasks.

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Encountered computers

Several computers were encountered on a period of 24 hours and were classified into the different
types of computer based on their purpose. The list of encountered computers throughout 24 hours
was tabulated as follows before going through each device individually:

No. Device Name Brand & model Device Illustration Classification

1 Smart phone Apple Iphone 6s

2 Notebook Asus UX302LG

3 Desktop PC Dell Optiplex 990

4 Tablet Apple Ipad pro 12.9”

5 Smart Watch Apple Watch series 3.0

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 6 ATM machine

7 Washing Samsung 8KG

Machine

8 Refrigerator Hisense 436L

9 Rapid KL
Token
machine

10 Xerox printer Workcentre 6027

and scanner

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 11 Projector Epson EB-695Wi

12 Air Pensonic 1HP

conditionner

13 Car Embedded Honda Civic

system

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Special-Purpose computer

Several Special-purpose computers were encountered on a 24-hour basis. The devices were listed
on the previous table (Table 1.0. encountered computers.).

Automatic Teller Machine – ATM

What is an ATM Machine?

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/automated-teller-machine-ATM.html

http://www.atminventor.com/

An ATM Machine, short form for automated teller machine, is a computerized device used to give
bank customers access to their bank accounts using a magnetically encoded card with a pin code.
This card enables customers to perform bank transactions such as cash withdrawal, deposit cash,

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pays bills and transfer funds, allows control of money flow through statements and many other
transactions, without having to physically go to a bank cashier and ask to perform those
transactions.

ATM machines are user friendly devices comprised of an LCD display, Card Reader, Dard
dispenser, keyboard with the brail signs on it as well for visually impaired people to easily
manipulate the devices as well. The device also has a safe, a receipt printer, a statement printer,
envelope deposit box for check or cash deposit, a barcode reader and a camera.

ATM machines were first developed by John Shepherd-Barron in 1960. He got the idea of making
a 24/7 cash dispenser and the first ATM machine was hence designed and created and then installed
the first device outside London.

How to use and ATM machine?

To be able to use an ATM machine, the user must first open a bank account in their favorite banks.
Then a Debit/credit card will be issued to customer depending on his needs and affordability. Then
the user can start performing transactions on those 24/7 atm machines by simply inserting their
card in the machine and entering the secret 4-digit or 6-digit codes. The user then must select
between the types of transactions to the amount of withdrawal. After performing any transaction,
first the card is returned to user then the machine will dispense the cash.

Before the invention of ATM machines:

https://www.vox.com/ad/16554798/banking-technology-credit-debit-cards

https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/5-ways-technology-has-changed-banking

http://www.engineersgarage.com/invention-stories/atm-history

Before the invention of the automated teller machines, people had to physically walk or travel to
banks to perform any financial transactions or to pay for bills. People had no other choice than to
carry cash on them all the time. Virtual money didn’t exist as well at this time; hence every
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monetary transaction was carried out by cash solely. Checks were also very famous at that time
since this was the only way transactions involving huge amounts of funds could be safely
performed. People had to queue up at bank cashiers for hours before they could get served
compared to now where people can simply go to any ATM machine closed to their house or work
and perform quick transactions within minutes only.

ATM machines have revolutionized the world of banking and it is found in every corners of the
World with over 3 million devices. It is one of the special purpose computers that were quickly
developed and now widely used by everyone.

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Washing Machine

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-washing-machines-1992666

A washing machine is a device that allows users to wash their clothes within a short time frame.
Nowadays there are even smart machines that also allows the user to add fragrance to their clothes
and to dry their clothes in the same machine. Smart washing machines can be programmed to wash
and dry clothes at a specific time and can fit it around 8Kg of clothes. The smart option in the
machine analyses the clothes pile and gives out information about the weight of the clothes as well
allows the user to control from water temperature to the type of wash according to the clothes type
and material.

The first washing machines were created in the mid-1800s in the United States. The first machines
were non-computerized ones that comprised of a wooden drum and a metal agitator which needed
human assistance to functionate. All washing machines were hand powered until late 1800s, while
commercial ones were powered by steam and belts. The first commercial electric washer, named
the Thor, was introduced in 1908 by Ala J. Fisher and was marketed by the Hurley Machine
Company of Chicago. The Thor brand today still produces washing machines.

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Laundry before washing machines:

In the ancient times, people used to do their laundries by pounding their clothes on rocks and
rubbing them with abrasive sands. The dirt was then washed away in streams or rivers. Crude
soaps were invented out of ash and fat from animals to wash their clothes. In the colonial times,
clothes were wash in a cauldron of boiling water and then the clothes were laid out on a board
before being beaten by a paddle called dolly.

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Refrigerator

https://www.livescience.com/57797-refrigerator-history.html

https://www.history-magazine.com/refrig.html

http://www.startribune.com/how-refrigeration-changed-our-lives/248916161/

https://www.lifewire.com/smart-refrigerator-4158327

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/7/16861054/samsung-family-hub-smart-fridge-
2018-model-announced-ces

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/appliances/how-does-refrigerator-work

Refrigerators have been designed to remove heat by creating a cooling effect. It is used mainly to
keep food items and perishable goods fresh and to prevent foodborne infections since germs get
denatured in cold temperatures. For hundreds of years, people have been storing their food in the
cold especially milk, fresh milk, fish, fruits and vegetables. Life cannot be imagined without
refrigerators. People would have had to visit grocery stores daily in order to have fresh food.

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How do refrigerators work?

Five basic components are required to cool down any item inside a refrigerator and those
components are: fluid refrigerant, a compressor, the condenser coils, an evaporator coil, and an
expansion device. The compressor first compressed the refrigerants to raise its pressure so that it
can be forced into the coils which goes outside of the refrigerator. Then the hot gas present in the
coils meet the cooler outside air temperature of the room and liquifies the gas again. The refrigerant
then cools down as the liquid formed at high pressure flows inside the coils inside the freezer and
the fridge. Heat is absorbed by the refrigerant and hence cooling down the air inside the fridge.
Lastly, the refrigerant is again evaporated to gas and flows back to the compressor where the cycle
starts again.

Smart Refrigerators

Samsung recently introduced the new smart refrigerators that contains an embedded computer that
can be used to perform various task from the fridge LCD screen itself. Those smart refrigerators
are equipped with special functions such as an inside camera that allows the user to check their
fridge contents using their smartphones from the grocery store itself. Other features of this smart
device include speakers, LCD screens, onscreen keyboard, access to internet. They are also linked
to smartphone apps that help to control temperature and humidity from a distance.

Train token dispenser

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To travel by train in Malaysia, one needs to buy a single journey token or reload their touch and
go or rapid KL card. Those cards are cards that can be top upped through the machine itself. The
machines have an LCD screen that allows the user to choose his destination as well as the type of
train to travel by since different models of trains including the LRT, MRT, KTM and BRT.
Passengers can travel cheaper and more conveniently by train since train fares are cheaper than
the price to travel by GrabCar in Malaysia.

How do those machines operate?

The user first needs to select the language, then select the type of train from a list of 4. The user is
then asked to choose his destination and to select the number of tokens. Then the user is prompted
to insert his cash into the slots allocated for the payment. The token and the change if available are
then dispensed, and user is asked whether he needs a receipt. If the user selects yes, the receipt is
given out else the screen goes back to its welcome screen. The machine also offers the option to
reload the cards available for cashless payment. Frequent travelers prefer to use the cashless system
since it avoids them the hassle of buying tokens after each journey.

After purchasing the tokens, they are then simply tapped at the specialized gates and the journey
is stored into their database.

Before the invention of token machines

Before the invention of those machines, people used to queue up at the railway counters to buy
their train tickets. People had to reach the station much earlier than their actual travelling time

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since they will have to spend so much time queuing up in front of those counters. Also, since the
tokens were not being tapped at the gates, railway stations had to employ people to verify the
tickets of all the passengers all day long, again very time consuming and tiring.

https://www.myrapid.com.my/fares-and-payments/all-tickets/token

Smart Projector

Figure 6. Projector.

The Projector is an optical device, used to project an image or moving images onto the surface
(which is a projector screen). Projectors creates images by releasing the light from its front
transparent lens and some projectors nowadays can project the image directly. Some of the new

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model projectors like the Virtual Retina Display can project images directly on the retina instead
of using the projector screen. Projectors history go way back in time where the first known
instance of projecting images onto a large surface was recorded by Johannes de Fontana in 1420
where a nun holds a lantern with a small window that projects the image to the surface. Another
guy who drew a similar device was the painter Leonardo da Vinci and he called it a magic
lantern in 1515, and in 1952 projectors started to work by using electricity and became popular
for movie theaters and other businesses (e.g. Job presentations). Movie Projectors are another
type of projectors and the first movie projector was developed in the United States by the
brothers Otway and Gray and their father Woodville Latham in 1895. At that time, films could
only be viewed one at a time in a peep show box and not projected in a large screen. The
brothers used the help of their father to develop a device that can project small images onto a
large screen in order to attract audiences. (Staff, 2009).

Projectors are a special purpose computers where they are used to project images onto a large
screen on the surface by using a lens. Projectors started in the old days with a simple tools and
nowadays it got developed and became better and it had different options and their performance
became higher.

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Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are special purpose computer systems used to regulate the temperature in;
homes, businesses, laboratories, data centres, hospitals and even in moving vehicles. It was once
considered as a piece of luxurious technology but now, it is essential for any country. According
to the Energy Information Administration, 48% of the all the energy consumed in American
homes is a result of cooling and heating (Lester, 2015).

Since the 1840s, people have been imaging ways to cool down the air around so that diseases
like malaria could be eradicated and make patients more comfortable. At this particular point in
time, Dr. John Gorrie, a physician and inventor had the idea to import blocks of ice from frozen
lakes and stream. However, the shipment of these blocks were costly and took too much time
that when the blocks arrived at their destination, they were almost in liquid form. Furthermore,
Gorrie began experimenting the concept of artificial cooling as he designed a machine that could
create ice using a compressor powered by a horse, water, steam or wind-driven. But
unfortunately he was unsuccessful. The concept for artificial cooling remained inactive for
several years until Willis Carrier, an engineer took a job to solve the humidity problem of a
publishing company. Carrier designed a system that could control the humidity using cooling
coils. His invention could either humidify or dehumidify the air around. As he continued testing
and refining his invention, he patented an automatic control system that regulates the humidity
and temperature of the air in textile mills. Later in May 1922, Carrier installed the first well-
designed cooling system for theatres in Los Angeles. It was only in 1929 that the air conditioner
came into homes. Their sizes were greatly reduced and they were still using chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC) as coolant for its non-flammable properties. Later, the CFC coolants were replaced to
hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) which was much better for the Ozone layer. Also, more improvements

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took place in terms of the size and technologies used over the years. Nowadays, air conditioner is
a need or must rather than a luxurious item. Today, air conditioner are everywhere humans are
present; in the bus, trains, airplanes, cars, lorry among many others. They have been improved to
be able to remotely control them and set desired options and quality of air in terms of humidity
(Lester, 2015).

Before the invention of the air conditioner, people were just using fans as there was no other way
to cool down the air in a room rather than using a fan to continuously create a flow of wind
within a room, creating a cooling sensation. Also, in certain countries in hot weather, people
used to stay in the shade of trees to play board games with their friends. The temperature of the
air under a tree is believed to be much cooler.

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Car Embedded Systems

The first embedded system for automobiles came from Volkswagen in the year 1968. At this
time, the system was performing few tasks like indicating fuel volume and engine temperature in
an analogue display among some few others. Nowadays, mechanical systems in cars are being
largely replaced by electronic system. These electronics systems are called as embedded systems
ranging from wiper control to more complex task like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
and airbags. In general, it can be said that the embedded systems have acquired overall control
on recent automobiles and development of these systems are dynamic as they are being updated
and improved on a daily basis by car manufactures. Some of the main current trends of
embedded systems are; navigation system, adaptive cruise control system (ACC), satellite radio
systems among many others.

The different control systems work together in an inter-exchange of information pattern which
makes them more reliable. For example; the new Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system
introduced in around the year 2009 (Howard, 2013), controls and regulates the speed of a car
under the cruise control mode. The system behaves in such a way that if the car is approaching a
car travelling at lower speed from behind too fast, the system automatically brakes the car, thus

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regulating the speed of the car to avoid a potential collision. In this example, the adaptive cruise
control worked hand-in-hand with the cruise control mode and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS). Only a few years ago, cars did not have the adaptive cruise control system, yet only
cruise control mode existed. This means that even if a car under cruise control mode approaches
another car at high speed from behind, the car would not slow down, resulting in a potential
collision. As years passed, the systems were made more intelligent with the help of sensors and
made to work together. Another example of benefit the special purpose car embedded computers
brought to automobiles is the automatic wiper system. New cars have sensors to detect rain drops
on the front glass panel of a car which automatically activates the wiper.

However, before the introduction of embedded computers for cars, the performances and re-
activities of the cars were solely controlled by the drivers and the passengers of the cars
themselves. The drivers had to be very careful and down to earth to control the car in a proper
way to avoid any sort of collision and breakdown by maintaining a good maintenance scheme.
Before the introduction of the ABS in cars, drivers had to manually control the force they applied
on the brake pedal to prevent the cars’ wheels from being totally block which made the cars skid
in uncontrollable directions. Also, before the introduction of the ACC system, drivers needed to
be totally focused on the road and the surrounding environment to prevent collision. This
statement does not mean that nowadays drivers can be less focus on the road. However, the stress
of driving in traffic is reduced as drivers can count on their car systems to brake automatically if
needed.

Long ago, the throttle pedal was connected to the engine through a metal wire. As the driver
pressed on the throttle pedal, the wire pulled a little cover on the engine which allows more fuel
to get into the engine which produces higher acceleration and more speed. While the driver
depressed the throttle pedal, the wire pushed the cover back into the engine which limited the
amount of fuel into the engine which consequently decelerates the engine rotary power. This
produces a deceleration of the car. The limitation of this system was that the metal wire often
break leaving the driver with no option to accelerate thus the car remains stationary, if it was
initially at rest. The hand-brake system also used the same principle to block the wheels for a

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long period of stationary. Nowadays, in most cars the throttle pedal is replaced with electric
wires which is attached to an actuator on the engine which controls the amount of fuel into the
engine. Depending on car manufacturers, the hand-brake system also uses an electric system to
block the wheels.

Furthermore, it can be concluded that the benefits that embedded computers had brought into the
automobile world have greatly evolved in the last decade and have saved many lives. One
improvement which can be brought to these car embedded systems is the detection of debris and
slippery substances on the road surface which would automatically reduce the speed of the car to
prevent potential collision or improper behaviour of the car on the road.

General-Purpose computer

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Smartphone

A smartphone can be defined as a phone with advanced mobile operating system that combines
the features of the personal computer’s operating system with another useful features for mobile
or handheld use. Before 10-15 years, cellphones were generally used to make phone calls and
receive messages. Cellphones used to have a number pad, a telephone book (contacts), a call and
hang up button and that was pretty much it. Nowadays, phones can do many complicated things
like calculating stuff, play high graphic games, check mail, video and voice call, book cars and
restaurants via apps, play videos and audios using media players and do a lot of things and of
course call and send messages. Smart phones now has Cameras built inside the phone and can take
high resolution pictures within seconds and record 4K videos (4K is 4 times Full HD videos).
Some people consider cellphones as a small laptop where they can do almost everything the laptop
does. Smartphones contains a small IC’s which makes phones do all the complex stuff. They are
truly considered as a fledged PC’s that can fit in our pockets. (Martin, 2014).

Smartphones is another example of the general purpose computers. They can do more than one
thing at the same time like calling and taking photos and downloading and reading magazines
online and many other things and they have touch screens for easier use. Old mobile phones didn’t
have touch screen, they used to press the buttons in the phone to go up and down, left and right
and they had to click the button in the middle to enter something.

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Notebook /laptop

Laptop, also called as notebook is a portable personal computer, it has two different portions/parts.
A keyboard on the lower part of it and a mouse pad where you can move the mouse and click on
the programs and the power button which turns on and off the laptop. On the upper part/portion of
the laptop there is a cam on the top of the screen and a thin LED or LCD screen. Laptops can be

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folded shut so we can take it anywhere with us. Laptops are often bigger than the tablets but smaller
than the desktop computers. It has a RAM, GPU, CPU, memory, motherboard, speakers and other
things all installed inside it. They are lighter than desktop computers and can be carried everywhere
easily and they can be powered up by its Lithium rechargeable batteries or from the AC adapter.
After personal computers became achievable, the idea of a personal computer which is portable
soon followed. Alan Kay of Xerox was the first guy to think how to make a personal portable
information manipulator in 1968. The first portable computer prototype was the Dynabook and
was built in 1972 and it was based on the IBM PALM processor. The first laptop which was
announced and sold to public in 1981 was the Epson HX-20. It had an LCD screen, a rechargeable
battery and a calculator. Comparing with laptops nowadays, earlier laptops like the Osborne 1 was
so heavy as it weighed almost 11kg and had no battery and a much smaller screen compared to
now where laptops have a much bigger screens, rechargeable batteries which can last long,
speakers, built in cameras and much more. (Bellis, 2016).

Laptops are also considered as a general purpose computers where it has the same features of a
desktop and the same processors and RAM’s and others but they are portable and people can take
them everywhere with them and they are much lighter. Laptops now can compete with high end
computers in the performance and quality.

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Desktop Computer

A desktop computer is considered as a general purpose computer. Desktop computers were

designed for regular usage by people near or on a desk or table due to its size and requirements
(wires and cables...etc.). A computer setup always has a case to put the motherboard and other
things inside (like RAM and Processor and Graphics Card) and to also put the power supply inside
it. The motherboard is a circuit board with different microprocessors inside it, memory, bus, and
other electronic components). The case also contains the disk storage where you can put one or
more hard disk drives (HDD), disk drives or floppy disks (for older PC’s). An input connections
for mouse and keyboard and an output connection for the computer monitors and printers. Some
modern computers which are called All-in-one desktop computers usually combines the case and
the monitor in one unit. (Knight, 2014).

As we said earlier, desktop computers are a general-purpose computers. We can use them as many
things in the same time like calculating a math problem, play games on it, open browsers and check
the mail, talk to someone by voice or video and many other things. Desktop computers are mainly
used in universities and offices. In order to use a desktop computers we must have some
components to make it work like keyboard, CPU and monitor and they must be all connected
together so the computer can work. Computers back in the days (before 15-20 years) were really

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huge and they would take a lot of resources and space so it can work, nowadays computers are
much smaller (still heavier than laptops) and we can move it easily to another place and use it.

Tablets

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Tablets are considered as a personal PC with a touch screen interface which is used wirelessly (it
doesn’t need cables to work). Tablets is a shortcut for tablet computers and it can be also defined
as a mobile computer with a battery, touch screen display, circuitry all built in a single device.
Tablets are smaller than Notebook PC’s and larger than smartphones. Alan Kay was the guy who
brought the idea of tablets, he found out this idea in 1971. In 1993, Apple computers launched the
Apple Newton personal digital assistant. It promoted Apple’s new Newton OS, running on
hardware built by Motorola and incorporating a CPU of ARM which apple had co-developed with
Acorn Computers. Apple’s tablet wasn’t a business achievement though. Today’s tablets are much
faster than the older ones, better battery consumption, it can handle high graphic games and other
high performance apps. (Rouse, 2014).

Tablets are also a general purpose computers, they can be considered as big smartphones because
of the similar functionality they have. Tablets can make different kind of tasks like calling, sending
messages, downloading apps and games and we can also use Microsoft Word and other Microsoft
apps to do our tasks. Tablets are known by their sizes, it varies from 7 inch to 13 inch and we can
use them with or without its pen. Before a couple of year’s people used to have the pens in order
to use the tablets but nowadays they have the touch screens which replaced the pen.

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Smartwatch

Smart watches are a wristwatch with a small computer chip inside it and it functions is enhanced
beyond time keeping. Watches in the previous times were used only to tell time but smartwatches
nowadays can perform many tasks like calculations, translations, game playing and other things.
You can now open your emails and read news just from your smart watch. Some smartwatches
contain media players and can play music (audio or video or FM radio) via Bluetooth or USB
headset. Some other smartwatches features more functionality as they act as a full mobile phone
and has the mobile phone capability and it can answer and make phone calls. They are also used
to measure the heart beat rate and count your calories while doing exercises. Smart phones interior
has a rechargeable battery and a graphic display and then new smart watches have touch screen
for easier use. Every big company nowadays started to make their own unique smartwatches to

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compete with other companies and prove they have the best smart watch with its new and unique
features. Smartwatches also act like computers where they can collect information from internal
or external sensors, retrieve data from other PC’s and it supports wireless technology like Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth and GPS. (Himanshu, 2015).

Comparison between Special Purpose computers and General-Purpose computers

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Conclusion

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References

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