Tuning-in
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 622.
Task 1 Match these names to the different types of computer.
1 mainframe 3 notebook 5 PC
2 laptop 4 handheld 6 minicomputer
Task 2 Who uses these types of computer? Where do they use them? Make a list.
Listening: Buying a computer 1
Reading: Types of computer
Task 6 Study these details of different types of computer. Find the answers to these questions. Which type of computer is:
1 the most common?
2 small enough for a pocket?
3 the most common portable?
4 used by many people at the same time?
5 used like mainframes?
6 also called a handheld computer?
7 the most powerful?
8 not suitable for a lot of typing?
| Types of computer | Notes |
| Mainframes | Large, powerful, expensive. Multi-user systems – used by many people at the same time. Used for processing very large amounts of data. The most powerful mainframes are called supercomputers. |
| Minicomputers | Used like mainframes. Not as big, powerful, or expensive as mainframes. Less common now because microcomputers have improved. |
| Microcomputers or Personal computers (PCs) | The most common type of computer. Smaller, cheaper, and less powerful than mainframes and minicomputers. |
| Types of portable | Notes |
| Laptop | About the size of a small typewriter. Less common now because smaller and lighter portables are available. |
| Notebook | About the size of a piece of writing paper. The most common type of portable. |
| Subnotebook | Not quite as big as notebooks. Can fit into a jacket pocket. |
| Handheld or Palmtop | Small enough to fit into the palm of one hand. Not easy to type with because of their size. Often used as personal organizers. |
| Language work: Comparison Study this comparison of three types of computer. |
| Mainframes Minicomputers Microcomputers |
| Size +++ ++ + |
| Power +++ ++ + |
| Cost +++ ++ + |
| We compare things using adjectives in two ways. 1 We can compare one type of computer with another. Minicomputers are bigger than microcomputers. Mainframes are more expensive than microcomputers. For negative comparisons, we can say: Microcomputers are not as big as minicomputers. Microcomputers are not as powerful as mainframes. 2 We can compare mainframes to all other types of computer. Mainframes are the biggest computers. Mainframes are the most powerful computers. Mainframes are the most expensive computers. With short adjectives (big, small, fast), we add -ex and -est (faster, fastest). With longer adjectives (powerful, expensive), we use more/less and the most/the least before the adjective (more powerful, the most powerful). Remember these two exceptions: good - better - the best bad - worse - the worst |
Task 7 Choose the correct adjective. Then fill in the gaps with the correct form of the adjective.
1 light/heavy Laptops are 1____ than desktop computers, but 2 _____ than notebooks.
2 large/small The mainframe is the 3______ type of computer.
A minicomputer is 4_______ than a microcomputer.
3common/good Personal computers are 5_____ than
mainframes but mainframes are 6_______ than personal
computers at processing very large amounts of data.
4 powerful/expensive Minicomputers are 7______ than
mainframes but they are also 8______.
5 fast/cheap New computers are 9______ and sometimes
10_____ than older machines.
6 powerful/expensive Laptops are often 11______ than PCs but
they are not as 12______.
| Aids to communication Here are some phrases to use when agreeing or disagreeing with someone. A: (I think) The best computer for a is_______. B: I agree. / I think so too. С: I disagree. /1 don't think so. |
Problem-solving
Task 8 In pairs, decide what sort of computer is best for each of these users.
1 John Wilmott is a salesperson and he spends a lot of time visiting customers. He wants a computer to carry with him so he can access data about his customers and record his sales.
2 Pat Nye is a personnel officer. She needs a computer to keep staff records and to keep a diary of appointments. She also needs a computer for writing letters.
3 The University of the North needs a computer to look after its accounts, its network, the records of all students and staff, and to help with scientific research.
4 The James family want a computer for entertainment, writing letters, the Internet, and for calculating tax.
Writing
Task 9 Put the words in brackets into the correct form to make an accurate description of sizes of computers.
There are different types of computer. The (large) 1 _______ and
(powerful) 2 ______ are mainframe computers. Minicomputers are
(small) 3 _____ than mainframes but are still very powerful.
Microcomputers are small enough to sit on a desk. They are the (common)
4 ______ type of computer. They are usually (powerful)
5 ________ than minicomputers.
Portable computers are (small) 6 _______ than desktops. The
(large) 7 _________ portable is a laptop. (Small) 8 __________
portables, about the size of a piece of writing paper, are called notebook
computers. Subnotebooks are (small) 9 ________ than notebooks.
You can hold the (small) 10 ________ computers in one hand. They
are called handheld computers or palmtop computers.
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| Types of computer | | | Should you hire a full-time employee on a permanent contract? |