Computer_Engineering_print_new2

8. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the comparing techniques. If you need help use GRAMMAR FILES 3 (p. 109).

1.Many computers in this class cost as much as two desktop computers with similar specifications.

2.Netbooks typically have less powerful hardware than larger laptop computers.

3.The capabilities of an analog computer are not as great as those of a digital one.

4.The smaller the computer the faster it operates.

5.Convertible tablets are by far the most popular form factor of tablet PCs.

6.Typical battery life for standard laptops is two to five hours of light-duty use, but may drop to as little as one hour when doing power-intensive tasks.

7.The memory effect happens when one does not use a battery to its fullest extent then recharges it.

9. Choose the correct variant to complete the sentences.

1.Some notebooks achieve a (further; more further) portability improvement by omitting an optical drive.

2.Portable computers will become much (commonlier; more commonly) available.

3.A bit is (a small; the smallest) unit of information.

4.What is (the good; the best) way to compile a program?

5.Newer laptops come with LED based screens offering a (less; least) power consumption and (wider; more wider) viewing angles.

6.Much (fewer; less) details are necessary for the new model.

7.(Higher; high) mathematics is a basic subject.

10. Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets in the correct form. All sentences refer to the Future. If you need help use GRAMMAR FILES 4 (p. 111).

1)computers / write / own software.

2)a body chip / correct / poor vision.

3)computer teaching / replace / courses.

4)much small devices / be built into clothing.

5)computers / be implanted into the human brain.

6)people / vote in elections online.

12. Read the text quickly, ignoring the gaps and find out:

what similar characteristics a laptop and a desktop computer have;

what operating systems subnotebooks run;

what characteristics netbooks optimize for;

what PDAs are commonly used for;

what main features wearable computers have.

13. Read the text again and choose from the phrases (a-k) the one which fits each gap (1-11). There is one extra phrase you do not need to use.

a.…retains the performance of a standard notebook;

b.…the configuration and power management of the computer;

c.…that are larger than a laptop;

d.…general computing and accessing Web-based applications;

e.…predates the use of a mouse and graphical display;

f.…they may be paired with a docking station;

g.…to sit on a person's lap while in use;

h.…lie flat on the keyboard housing;

i.…by taking notes, holding contacts, and connecting;

j.…general-purpose desktop operating systems;

k.…constant interaction between the computer and user;

l.…solid-state storage devices.

Though the term portable computer has recently been used almost exclusively to refer to portable

computers (1) _____, and usually do not run on

batteries, smaller portable computers are also known as

mobile computers. They are referred to by their more

specific terms: laptops, subnotebooks, hand-held

computers, palmtops, and wearable computers.

A laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use and small and light enough (2) _____. 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 trackpad, and/or a pointing stick), speakers, and often including a battery, into a single unit. The rechargeable battery (if present) is charged from an AC adapter and typically stores enough energy to run the laptop for 2 to 3 hours in its initial state, depending on (3) _____.

Laptops are usually shaped notebook with thicknesses between 18-38 mm and dimensions ranging from 27x22cm, 13" display to 39x28cm, 17" display and up. Modern laptops weigh 1.4 to 5.4 kg. Most laptops are designed in the flip form factor to protect the screen and the keyboard when closed. Modern tablet laptops have a complex joint between the keyboard housing and the display, permitting the display panel to swivel and then (4) _____.

A subnotebook (ultraportable) is a laptop designed with an emphasis on portability (small size, low weight and longer battery life) that (5) _____. They are usually smaller and lighter than standard laptops, weighing between 0.8 and 2 kg; the battery life can exceed 10 hours.

To achieve the size and weight reductions, ultraportables use high resolution 13" and smaller screens (down to 6.4"), have relatively few ports, employ expensive components designed for minimal size and best power efficiency, and utilize advanced materials and construction methods. Some subnotebooks achieve a further portability improvement by omitting an optical/removable media drive; in this case (6) _____ that contains the drive and optionally more ports or an additional battery.

The term "subnotebook" is usually reserved to laptops that run (7) _____ such as Windows, Linux or Mac OS X, rather than specialized software such as Windows CE, Palm OS or Internet Tablet OS.

Netbooks are a branch of subnotebooks, a category of

small, lightweight, and inexpensive laptop computers suited for (8) _____. They are often marketed as "companion devices", i.e., to augment a user's other computer access.

At their inception in late 2007 — as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight (about 1 kg.) and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features (e.g., the optical drive), featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced specification and computing power. Some netbooks do not have a conventional hard drive and use (9) _____ instead, as these require less power, are faster, lighter, and generally more shock-resistant, but with much less storage capacity.

A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a mobile device,

also known as a palmtop computer. Their weight is less than 1 pound. PDAs are used to organize a person's life (10) _____ to the Internet. They commonly have colour

screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones (smartphones), web browsers or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless

Wide Area Networks (WWANs).

A typical PDA has a touchscreen, a memory card slot, and IrDA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. However, some PSAs may not

have a touch screen, using softkeys, a directional pad,

and a numeric keypad for input; this is typically seen on

telephones that are incidentally PDAs.

Wearable computers are computers that are worn on the body. This type of wearable technology has been used in behavioral modeling, health monitoring systems, information technologies and media development. Wearable computers are especially useful for applications that require computational support while the user's hands, voice, eyes, arms or attention are actively engaged with the physical environment.

One of the main features of a wearable computer is consistency. There is a (11) _____, i.e. there is no need to turn the device on or off. Another feature is the ability to multi-task. It is not necessary to stop what you are doing to use the device; it is augmented into all other actions.

These devices can be incorporated by the user to act like

a prosthetic. It can therefore be an extension of the

user’s mind and/or body.

Portable computers have been increasing in popularity

over the past decade, as they do not restrict the user in terms of mobility as a desktop computer would. Wireless Internet, extended battery life and more comfortable

ergonomics have been factors driving this increase in popularity.

Computer Engineering 33

FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE: Prepositions

14. Complete the sentences with the prepositions from the box. One preposition is not used in any sentences. Consult the APPENDIX (p. 120).

of to by in for on

1.Because ___ the additional requirements, laptop components are usually of inferior performance compared ___ similar desktop parts.

2.Laptop motherboards do not conform ___ a desktop form factor.

3.There is a wide range of CPUs designed ___

laptops available.

4.A battery's performance gradually decreases with time, leading ___ an eventual replacement in 1-3 years, depending ___ the charging and discharging pattern.

5.Higher-end laptops and desktop replacements

___ particular often come with dedicated graphics processors on the motherboard or as an internal expansion card.

6.There are also some week points in relation ___

ergonomics.

7.___ addition, the users will need to move their arms constantly while writing.

8.With primary focus given to web browsing and e- mailing, netbooks rely heavily ___ the Internet for remote access to web-based applications.

9.Netbooks have their internal storage in the form of solid-state drives and not hard disks, which are essential ___ installing many programs.

10.Tablets, ___ general, were expected to replace standard laptops starting this year and, for the most part, that isn't happening.

16. Read the text again and complete the summary.

Portable computers are small and __________

enough to be __________. Laptops, __________,

__________, __________ and wearable computers can be classified as portables.

A laptop has most of the typical components of a

__________ including a __________, a __________, a

__________ device, speakers and a __________ which usually __________ enough energy to run the laptop for 2 or 3 hours in its initial state.

A subnotebook is a class of laptop computers that are smaller and lighter than typical notebooks. However, subnotebooks retain the performance of a standard notebook. The savings in size and weight are usually achieved partly by __________ ports or having removable media or optical __________. Many can be paired with __________ to compensate. They generally run full desktop __________ such as Windows or Linux.

Netbooks are a category of small, lightweight, and

__________ laptop computers marketed as

__________ and usually used for general computing and accessing __________ applications. They usually

do not have __________ disk or __________ drive and offer reduced specification and __________.

PDAs or __________ computers are small enough to fit into the palm of a hand and used to

__________ a person's life. PDAs feature __________

screens, __________ capabilities and are used as

__________ (smartphones), __________ or

__________ media players. They can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via __________ or

__________ Networks. Many PDAs employ

__________ technology.

__________ computers are computers that are worn on the body. They provide the user with the

__________ support while his hands, voice, eyes, arms or attention are actively engaged with the __________. The main features of wearable computers are

__________ and the ability to __________ providing constant __________ between the computer and

__________. The popularity of portable computers has been __________ over the past decade as they do not

__________the user in terms of __________.

SPECIALIST READING B: Tablet Computers

17. Scan the text, identify different parts and entitle them.

…

18. Read the text and decide whether these points are discussed in it.

Yes No

differences between two types of tablets examples of computers of both types pros and cons of tablet computers

development prospects of tablet computers tablet computers in everyday life

common form factors of tablets OS used in tablet computers latest versions of tablets

Computer Engineering 35

Two distinctly different types of "tablet computers" should be named.

A tablet personal computer (tablet PC) is a portable

personal computer equipped with a touch-screen as a primary input device. It is x861 based and uses a slightly modified personal computer OS (Windows or Ubuntu Linux) which supports touch-screen, (instead of a traditional display, mouse and keyboard). A typical tablet personal computer needs to be "stylus driven", because operating the typical desktop based OS requires a high precision to select "Widgets", such as the close window button.

A "tablet computer", or simply "tablet", is a complete computer contained entirely in a flat touch screen that uses a stylus, digital pen or fingertip as the primary input device instead of a keyboard or mouse which may or may not be included. It is not x86 based and uses a RISC (ARM or MIPS) CPU2 instead, that earlier was only used in portable equipment like MP3 players and cell phones,

but has become powerful enough for most contemporary computing tasks, such as browsing the Internet, light production work and gaming, tasks that historically have been done on x86 based Personal computers. The tablet computer and the associated special operating software is an example of pen computing technology.

Tablet computers come in a range of sizes. Tablet personal computers tend to be as large as laptops and often are the largest usable size for mobile tablet computing while the new generation of tablet computers can be much smaller and in size can border on PDAs .

Booklet computers are dual screen tablet computers that fold like a book. Typical booklet computers are equipped with multi-touch screens3 and pen writing recognition capabilities. They are designed to be used as digital day-planners, internet surfing devices, project planners, music players, and displays for video, live TV and e-reading.

Slate computers are tablet computers without a dedicated keyboard. For text input, users rely on handwriting recognition via an active digitizer, touching an on-screen keyboard using fingertips or a stylus, or using an external keyboard that can usually be attached via a wireless or USB connection. Convertible tablets have a base body with an attached keyboard. They more closely resemble modern laptops, and are usually

36 Computer Engineering

heavier and larger than slates.

Typically, the base of a convertible attaches to the display at a single joint called a swivel hinge or rotating

hinge. The joint allows the screen to rotate through 180° and fold down on top of the keyboard to provide a flat writing surface. This design, although the most common, creates a physical point of weakness on the notebook.

Convertibles are by far the most popular form factor of tablet PCs, because they still offer the keyboard and pointing device (usually a trackpad) of older notebooks, for users who do not use the touchscreen display as the primary method of input.

The iPad is a tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is particularly marketed as a platform for audio and visual media such as books, periodicals, movies, music and games, as well as web content. At about 1.5 pounds (680 grams), its size and weight are between those of most contemporary smartphones and laptop computers. Apple released the iPad in April 2010, and sold 3 million of the devices in 80 days.

The iPad runs the same operating system as the earlier iPod Touch and iPhone and is controlled by a multi-touch display – break from most previous tablet computers, which used a pressure-triggered stylus.

The iPad's touchscreen display is a 9.7 inch (25 cm) LCD (1024 × 768 pixels) with scratch-resistant glass. Like the iPhone, the iPad is designed to be controlled by bare fingers; normal gloves and styli that prevent electrical conductivity may not be used, although there are special gloves and capacitive styli designed for this use.

The display responds to two other sensors: an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness and a 3-axis accelerometer to sense iPad orientation and switch

between portrait and landscape modes. The iPad built-in applications support screen rotation in all four

orientations, meaning that the device has no intrinsic

"native" orientation; only the relative position of the

home button changes.

The iPad uses a Wi-Fi data connection to browse the Internet, load and stream media, and install software. Some models also have a 3G wireless data connection. The device uses an internal rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery that can provide up to 10 hours of video, 140 hours of audio playback, or one month on standby.

iPad's not a perfect tablet computer, but the very implementation of the iPhone OS and its clever data-

entry scheme – virtual keyboard, multi-touch gestures

and all – turns the iPad into an immeasurably more

usable device than any other tablet PC.

English for Special Purposes

Comments:

1The term x86 refers to a family of instruction set architecture based on the Intel 8086 CPU.

2ARM – Acorn RISC Machines - семейство процессоров ARM для встраиваемых и мобильных систем. Представляет собой некоторый конструктор, с помощью которого заказчик набирает себе те возможности, которые ему нужны. Линейка продуктов фирмы ARM состоит из базовых процессорных ядер и их "дочек", в которых реализованы различные дополнительные возможности.

3multi-touch — технология,

которая способна одновременно обнаруживать и определять координаты минимум 3 точек касания.

19. Answer the questions:

1.What are the differences between Tablet PC and Tablet Computer?

2.Where was RISC CPU most exclusively used before the advent of tablet computers?

3.How big can tablet computers be?

4.What are booklet computers used for?

5.What input devices do the users of slates rely on?

6.What form factor of Tablet PC is the most popular? Why is it so popular?

7.What is the weakest point of convertible tablets?

8.What common features do the iPad and iPhone have? What makes them different?

9.The iPad has no intrinsic "native" orientation, doesn’t it? Explain what opportunities this property gives to the user.

10.What special features does the iPad have in comparison to other tablet PCs?