Project Report on Computing Devices

Karan Singh Arora Project Work

PROJECT REPORT

ON

COMPUTING DEVICES

A JOURNEY FROM DESKS OF OUR HOMES TO THE PALM OF OUR HANDS

SUBMITTED IN THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF B.COM (HONS) IIIRD YEAR

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:MR. RAJIV MIDHA(Faculty of Delhi University)

SUBMITTED BY:KARAN SINGH ARORAROLL NO. – 116

SRI GURU NANAK DEV KHALSA COLLEGEUNIVERSITY OF DELHI

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this project report titled Computing

Devices: A journey from desks of our home to the palm

Of our hands submitted in the partial fulfillment of the

requirement of B.COM (HONS) IIIRD YEAR, is a

bonafide work undertaken by me and it is not submitted to

any other University for the award of any degree, diploma /

certificate or published any time before.

( )

KARAN SINGH ARORA

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The present work is an effort to throw some light on

“Computing Devices: A journey from the desks of our

home to the palm of our hands”. The work would not

have been possible to come to the present shape without the

able guidance, supervision and help to me by number of

people.

With deep sense of gratitude I acknowledge the

encouragement and guidance received by my mentor MR.

RAJIV MIDHA (Faculty of Delhi University)

I convey my heartfelt affection to all those people who

helped and supported me during the course, for completion

of my project report.

( )

KARAN SINGH ARORA

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PROJECT CONTENTS

Evolution Of Computing Device

Types Of Computing Devices

1. Desktop Computers

1.1 All – in - Ones

2. Laptops

3. Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs)

4. Smart Phones

5. Tablet PCs

Conclusion

Bibliography

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EVOLUTION OF

COMPUTING DEVICES

The history of computer development is often referred to in

reference to the different generations of computing devices.

Each generation of computer is characterized by a major

technological development that fundamentally changed the

way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller,

cheaper, and more powerful and more efficient and reliable

devices.

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TYPES OF COMPUTING

DEVICES

DESKTOP COMPUTER

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A desktop computer is a personal computer (PC) in a form

intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a

mobile laptop or portable computer.

Desktop and tower computers are two different styles of

computer case that use desk space in varying ways.

Desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk,

while towers stand upright.

Prior to the widespread use of microprocessors, a computer

that could fit on a desk was considered remarkably small.

“Desktop” indicates a horizontally-oriented computer case

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usually intended to have the display screen placed on top to

save space on the desktop. Most modern desktop computers

have separate screens and keyboards.

Tower cases are sometimes incorrectly called desktop

computers as some will locate them on a desk instead of on

the floor under the desk. Cases intended for home theater

PC systems are usually considered to be desktop cases in

both senses, regardless of orientation and placement.

All – in – Ones

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All-in-One computers are desktop computers that combine

the CPU and Speaker into the same case as the Monitor.

Apple has manufactured several popular examples of all-in-

one computers, such as the original Macintosh of the mid-

1980s and the iMac of the late 1990s and 2000s. Some

older 8-bit computers, such as the Commodore PET 2001

or Kaypro II, also fit into this category. All-in-One PCs are

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typically more portable than other desktop PCs and many

have been built with carrying handles integrated into the

case. They can simply be unplugged and transported to a

new location.

Like laptops, All-in-One desktop computers are

characterized by a comparative lack of upgradeability or

hardware customization, as internal hardware is often

placed in the back of the visual display unit.

Furthermore, in the case of the iMac line since 2002, the

CPU and other internal hardware units are, more or less,

permanently glued to the motherboard due to space

constraints. Below is the one of the pictures of the iMac

from Apple.Inc

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However, latest models of the All-In-One Computer have

changed their approach to this issue. Many of the current

offerings are using standard off-the-shelf components and

are designing upgrade convenience into their products.

Laptops

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A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal

computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of

the typical components of a desktop computer, including a

display, a keyboard, a pointing device (a touchpad, also

known as a track pad, and/or a pointing stick) and speakers

into a single unit. A laptop is powered by mains electricity

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via an AC adapter, and can be used away from an outlet

using a rechargeable battery.

Portable computers, originally monochrome CRT-based

and developed into the modern laptops, and were originally

considered to be a small niche market, mostly for

specialized field applications such as the military,

accountants and sales representatives. As portable

computers became smaller, lighter, cheaper, more powerful

and as screens size became larger and of better resolution,

laptops have become more popular.

Laptop as a Desktop Replacement

A desktop-replacement computer is a laptop that provides

all of the capabilities of a desktop computer, with a similar

level of performance. Desktop replacements are usually

larger and heavier than standard laptops. They contain

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more powerful components and have a 15" or larger

display. They are bulkier than and not as portable as other

laptops, and their operation time on batteries is typically

shorter; they are intended to be used as compact and

transportable alternatives to a desktop computer.

Some laptops in this class use a limited range of desktop

components to provide better performance for the same

price at the expense of battery life; a few of those models

have no battery.

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In the early 2000s, desktops were more powerful, easier to

upgrade, and much cheaper than laptops, but in later years

laptops have become much cheaper and more powerful, and

most peripherals are available in laptop-compatible USB

versions which minimize the need for internal add-on

cards. In the second half of 2008, laptops outsold desktops

for the first time.

Should you buy a Laptop or Desktop Computer?

This is the first major choice to be made when deciding on

a computer. Laptops (also referred to as notebooks) and

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desktops are each useful in their own right. Choosing

between them is a difficult decision.

I have summarized some of the reasons you may want to

invest in a laptop versus a desktop below.

Advantages of Laptops

You can take it with you - I constantly take my

laptop out on the front porch on nice mornings or

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evenings, I take it when traveling, and I take it to my

favorite coffee shop to surf the web while having a

coffee.

No Cords! - This is especially true if you have a

wireless internet connection at home.

Laptops use less power - If you tend to leave your

computers on frequently, a laptop will draw

considerably less power, which can save you money in

the long term.

Disadvantages of Laptops

It is easier to steal or damage - Keep it close to

you, or someone may walk off with your laptop and

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maybe more importantly, all of your bank logins,

passwords, digital pictures, e-mails and everything

else that you have on there.

It costs more than a desktop with the same

specifications.

It is more expensive to upgrade or repair -

If you drop it, and you do not have an accidental

damage warranty, you could be paying as much to

repair it as you did to buy it. Several manufacturers

offer accidental damage warranties that are a

worthwhile investment in some cases.

Price comparison typical Laptop versus typical Desktop June 2006

Laptop Comments Desktop Price Comparison of a typical laptop versus a typical Desktop computer.

Things to keep in

ModelDell Inspiron

E1505Dell Dimension

E510

Monitor 15.4" Built in LCD

Desktop has 1.6" larger

screen

17" LCD

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mind:#1 You should consider your needs at least three years into the future. Will you be traveling more? Do you have kids entering college soon?

# 2 If you decide on a laptop, you will probably want wireless Internet access, check out my Wireless page for details on what you need and how to protect yourself.

#3 No matter what you decide, you should protect your investment, read through my spyware and viruses page, to protect yourself online.

Price $ 1,362Desktop is $533

cheaper $ 829

ProcessorIntel Core Duo T2500 (2 GHz)

Desktop has faster

processor

Intel Pentium D 820 (2.8 GHz)

Memory 1 GB 1 GB

Hard Drive 100 GBThis is a tie, I could have bumped the desktop to a

160 GB for $4080 GB

DVD Burner? YesTie again. Both can burn 4.6GB and 8.5GB DVDs

Yes

CD Burner? Yes Yes

Portable Yes The laptop is portable and the desktop is not

No

Weight 6.18 lbs The laptop weighs less > 25 lbs

Power needed 65w A laptop draws less

power than a desktop, so it will cost less money to run

up to 305w

Operating SystemWindows XP Media Center

2005

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Graphics Mid-range Mid-range

Warranty2 yr Parts &

Labor2 yr Parts & Labor

Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs)

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A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as

a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is

a mobile device that functions as a personal information

manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to

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the Internet. A PDA has an electronic visual display,

enabling it to include a web browser, but some newer

models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be

used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many

PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-

Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Many PDAs employ

touch screen technology.

The first PDA was released in 1986 by Psion, the Organizer

II. Followed by Psion's Series 3, in 1991, which began to

resemble the more familiar PDA style. It also had a full

keyboard.

The term PDA was first used on January 7, 1992 by Apple

Computer CEO John Sculley at the Consumer Electronics

Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, referring to the Apple

Newton.

In 1996, Nokia introduced the first mobile phone with full

PDA functionality, the 9000 Communicator, which grew to

become the world's best-selling PDA. The Communicator

spawned a new category of mobile phones: the "PDA

phone", now called "Smartphone". Another early entrant in

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this market was Palm, with a line of PDA products which

began with the March 1996 Pilot 1000.

Today, almost all PDAs are smart phones. Over 150 million

smart phones are sold each year, while "stand-alone" PDAs

without phone functionality sell only about 3 million units

per year.

Typical Features

A typical PDA has a touch screen for entering data, a

memory card slot for data storage,

and IrDA, Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi. However, some PDAs

may not have a touch screen, using soft keys, a directional

pad, and a numeric keypad or a thumb keyboard for input;

this is typically seen on telephones that are incidentally

PDAs.

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In order to have the functions expected of a PDA, a

device's software typically includes an appointment

calendar, a to-do list, and an address book for contacts, a

calculator, and some sort of memo (or “note” program.

PDAs with wireless data connections also typically include

an email client and a Web browser.

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Smart Phones

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A Smartphone is a high-end mobile phone that combines

the functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a

mobile phone. Today's models typically also serve

as portable media players and camera phones with high-

resolution touch screens, web browsers that can access and

properly display standard web pages rather than only

mobile-optimized sites, GPS navigation, Wi-Fi and mobile

broadband access. The term Smartphone is usually used to

describe phones with more advanced computing ability and

connectivity than a contemporary feature phone, although

the distinction can be vague and there is no official

definition for what constitutes the difference between them.

The definitions also shift over time since many phones that

are considered feature phones today can have capabilities

that exceed those of phones that had been promoted as

smart phones in the past.

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Smart phones run mobile operating systems such

as Apple's iOS, Google's Android, Microsoft's Windows

Phone, Nokia's Symbian, RIM's BlackBerry OS, and

embedded distributions such as Maemo and MeeGo.

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Such systems can be installed on many different phone

models, and typically each device can receive multiple OS

software updates over its lifetime. Smart phones run third-

party applications using advanced application programming

interfaces (APIs), which can allow those applications to

have better integration with the phone's OS and hardware

than is typical with feature phones. In comparison, feature

phones more commonly run on proprietary firmware, with

third-party software support through platforms such as Java

ME or BREW.

Smart Phone Market Share

Growth in demand for advanced mobile devices boasting

powerful processors and graphics processing units,

abundant storage (flash memory) for applications and

media files, high-resolution screens with multi-touch

capability, and open operating systems has outpaced the

rest of the mobile phone market for several years.

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According to an early 2010 study by ComScore, over 45.5

million people in the United States owned smart phones out

of 234 million total subscribers. Despite the large increase

in Smartphone sales in the last few years, Smartphone

shipments only made up 20% of total handset shipments as

of the first half of 2010.

According to Gartner in their report dated November 2010,

total Smartphone sales doubled in one year and now smart

phones represent 19.3 percent of total mobile phone sales.

Smartphone sales increased in 2010 by 72.1 percent from

the prior year, whereas sales for all mobile phones only

increased by 31.8 percent.

According to an Olswang report in early 2011, the rate of

Smartphone adoption is accelerating: as of March 2011

22% of UK consumers had a Smartphone, with this

percentage rising to 31% amongst 24–35-year-olds.

In March 2011, Berg Insight reported data that showed

global Smartphone shipments increased 74% from 2009 to

2010.

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Operating System Market Share

2010 saw the rapid rise of the Google Android operating

system from 4 percent of new deployments in 2009 to 33

percent at the beginning of 2011 making it share the top

position with the since long dominating Symbian OS. The

smaller rivals include US popular Blackberry OS, iOS,

Samsung's recently introduced bada, HP's heir of Palm

Pilot webOS and the Microsoft Windows Phone OS seeing

a possible revival through an alliance with Nokia.

Over late 2009 and 2010 Android's Smartphone operating

system market share increased very rapidly. In the fourth

quarter of 2010, Android surpassed Symbian as the most

common operating system in smart phones, with 32.9

million units sold versus 31.0 million. Android-equipped

phones sold seven times more than in the prior year

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.According to Canalys, Google's Android operating system,

which is offered to phone makers for free, has raced to the

top past operating systems by Nokia, Apple, RIM, and

Microsoft. In Q1 2011 Google's Android market share was

35 percent, increasing significantly from 10 percent the

previous year, while Nokia's Symbian dropped to 26

percent from 46 percent over the same time period.

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Tablet PCs

A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile

computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital

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assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily

operated by touching the screen. It often uses an

onscreen virtual keyboard, a passive stylus pen, or a digital

pen, rather than a physical keyboard.

During the 2000s Microsoft attempted to define the tablet

personal computer (tablet PC) product concept as a mobile

computer for field work in business, though their devices

failed to achieve widespread usage due mainly to price and

usability problems that made them unsuitable outside of

their limited intended purpose.

In April 2010 Apple Inc. released the iPad, a tablet

computer with an emphasis on media consumption. The

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shift in purpose, together with increased usability, battery

life, simplicity, lower weight and cost, and overall quality

with respect to previous tablets, was perceived as defining a

new class of consumer device and shaped the commercial

market for tablets in the following year.

The term may also apply to a variety of form factors that

differ in position of the screen with respect to a keyboard.

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The standard form is called slate, which does not have an

integrated keyboard but may be connected to one with

a wireless link or a USB port. Convertible notebook

computers have an integrated keyboard that can be hidden

by a swivel joint or slide joint, exposing only the screen for

touch operation. Hybrids have a detachable keyboard so

that the touch screen can be used as a stand-alone

tablet. Booklets include two touch screens, and can be used

as a notebook by displaying a virtual keyboard in one of

them.

AAKASH

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As tablet PCs, have been discussed in the project study, it

may be desirable to mention about AAKASH – the Indian

breakthrough in the market of tablet PCs.

Aakash is an Android-based tablet computer designed and

developed by Data Wind primarily as a platform for audio-

visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music,

games, and web content.

It is manufactured in India as a low cost but full

functioning device in order to attempt to bridge the digital

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divide. The commercial version of the tablet will be retailed

under the brand name UbiSlate 7.

The original prototype was unveiled in 2010, purported as a

"$35 laptop". The device was formally launched on 5

October 2011 as Aakash, made by the London-based

manufacturing company Data Wind. Aakash will be

assembled at Data Wind’s new production centre in the

southern city of Hyderabad. Initially, the device will be

sold to the Government of India at $50. It is expected to be

sold for $60 in the retail stores.

The device has been developed as part of the National

Mission on Education through Information and

Communication Technology that aims to link 25,000

colleges and 400 universities on the subcontinent in an e-

learning program via an existing Sakshat portal.

Features of a Tablet PC

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Touch User Interface - A key and common

component among tablet computers is touch input.

This allows the user to navigate easily and intuitively

and type with a virtual keyboard on the screen.

Handwriting Recognition - Because tablet

personal computers normally use a stylus, they quite

often implement handwriting recognition, while other

tablet computers with finger driven screens do not.

Finger driven screens however are potentially better

suited for inputting "variable width stroke based"

characters, like Chinese/Japanese/Korean writing, due

to their built in capability of "pressure sensing".

However at the moment not much of this potential is

already used, and as a result even on tablet computers

Chinese users often use a (virtual) keyboard for input.

Accelerometer - An accelerometer is a unit that

detects the physical movements of the tablet. This

allows greater flexibility of use since tablets do not

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necessarily have a fixed direction of use. The

accelerometer can also be used to detect

the orientation of the tablet relative to the center of the

earth, but can also detect movement of the tablet, both

of which can be used as an alternative control

interface for a tablet's software.

Ambient light and proximity sensors are

additional "senses", that can provide controlling input

for the tablet.

Storage Drive - Large tablets use storage drives

similar to laptops, while smaller ones tend to use

drives similar to MP3 Players or have on-board flash

memory. They also often have ports for removable

storage such as Secure Digital cards. Due to the nature

of the use of tablets, solid-state memory is often

preferable due to its better resistance to damage during

movement.

Comparison with Laptops

The advantages and disadvantages of tablet computers are

highly subjective measures. What appeals to one user may

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be exactly what disappoints another. The following are

commonly cited opinions of tablet computers versus

laptops.

Advantages of Tablet PC

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Usage in environments not conducive to a keyboard

and mouse such as lying in bed, standing, or handling

with a single hand.

Lighter weight, lower power models can function

similarly to dedicated reading devices like

the Amazon Kindle.

Touch environment makes navigation easier than

conventional use of keyboard and mouse or touch pad

in certain contexts such as image manipulation,

musical, or mouse oriented games.

Digital painting and image editing are more precise

and intuitive than painting or sketching with a mouse.

The ability for easier or faster entry of diagrams,

mathematical notations, and symbols.

Allows, with the proper software, universal input,

independent from different keyboard localizations.

Disadvantages of Tablet PC

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Higher price – convertible tablet computers can cost

significantly more than non-tablet portable PCs

although this premium has been predicted to fall.

Input speed – handwriting or typing on a virtual

keyboard can be significantly slower than typing

speed on a conventional keyboard, the latter of which

can be as high as 50–150 WPM.

Weaker video capabilities – Most tablet computers

are equipped with embedded graphics processors

instead of discrete graphics cards. In July 2010, the

only tablet PC with a discrete graphics card was

the HP Touch Smart tm2t, which has the ATI Mobility

Radeon HD5450 as an optional extra.

Screen risk – Tablet computers are handled more than

conventional laptops, yet many are built on similar

frames; in addition, since their screens also serve as

input devices, they run a higher risk of screen damage

from impacts and misuse.

CONCLUSION

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At the end of this project, I would like to conclude that the

way innovations are being done in developing computing

devices; even sky is not the limit for research and

development department of various companies engaged in

this field.

In this project, we saw how the different computing devices

have moved from the desks of our home to the palm of our

hands but this is not the end, who knows that today they are

in our hands but in future they might be embedded into our

bodies.

All we can do is

WAIT, WATCH AND ENJOY!

BIBLIOGRAPHY- 42 -


Web

1. www.wikipedia.org

2. www.google.com

3. www.engadget.com

Newspapers

1. The Times Of India

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http://www.engadget.com/

http://www.google.com/

http://www.wikipedia.org/

Project Report on Computing Devices

Documents

karan singh arora

finger driven screens

personal digital assistant

portable media players

personal computer

computing devices

mobile phone

feature phones