LO1 | Understand how ICT can be used to meet business needs
LO1 Understand how ICT can be used to meet business needs Features and purposes of computing devices Desktop and portable devices Much has changed over the last few years in the ways that businesses operate. Long gone are the days in which it was a necessity to go to the office. Trends are such that businesses can now be run from home (teleworking) or indeed from any location. Some businesses do not even have a base, either home or work; in fact, they are mobile. Technology has assisted in such business needs through the use of both desktop and portable computers. These computers have specific features which lend themselves to these various needs. Desktop computers Traditionally this is described as a stand-alone computer system which sits on a work desk, although it may be part of a network. This type of computer system is suitable for an office system as it tends to have lots of working memory (RAM) and powerful processors. At the time of writing 600 GB is a typical computer storage capacity and 4GB RAM is a common memory size. Central Processing Units (CPU) are now multi-core (e.g. dual / quad), which allow vast amounts of data to be processed simultaneously.` The user tends to use a keyboard and a mouse to enter data. Data can be saved externally using CDs, DVDs and removable media such as memory cards and sticks. These systems also tend to have powerful graphics cards which are suitable for a business dealing with a lot of graphics. The lack of portability means that desktops are a more secure option for a business. The business can physically restrict access to the system, can easily secure them to workstations, and also has more control over internal data security within the system by administering passwords, etc.
Laptops
The reduced size and weight means employees can carry laptops around with them. Laptops can use the same software as desktop computers, and are able to harness the same power as high-end desktop computers – although at a much higher cost than their desktop equivalents. An average laptop will have the same technical specification of a mid-range desktop computer, i.e. a 500GB hard drive and a multi-core processor. Laptops have wireless interface cards built-in which facilitates Internet connectivity, allowing employee can send/receive files or communicate while on the move. Battery life is a restriction, although these systems can also use mains electricity. The portable nature of laptops means that they are more easily broken and stolen than desktop computers, therefore data stored on them is less secure.
Netbooks
Netbooks share features with laptops; they have a small, flat screen display, a touch pad, a battery and a keyboard. However, it is smaller, lighter and has much less processing power than a laptop. The lack of an internal CD/DVD drive, less connections, smaller battery and smaller display contribute to the netbook being small, lightweight, powerefficient and more affordable. They also tend to have smaller hard drives and less powerful CPUs (at the time of writing, a typical netbook hard drive was around 300GB, with either a single or dual-core CPU).
Netbooks use operating systems but they tend to be simplified versions, with less features, so that they minimise battery use. All netbooks support wireless technology. In terms of businesses, netbooks have
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