Types of computer system

This page contains the definitions of the computer system types that you need to be familiar with for this unit.

Multi-functional devices

A multi-functional device (MFD) is a device which provides multiple functions in one package. Perhaps the best known example is a combined printer, scanner, copier device.

Personal computers

A personal computer (PC) is a general-purpose computer, designed to run applications, and in contrast to a mainframe or server PC, is not intended to be used by multiple clients simultaneously.

Mobile devices

A mobile device is a portable computing device – that is, one that is small enough to carry around. Most mobile devices will include an LCD screen (or OLED) in order to provide the user with a means to view output. Mobile phones, laptops and portable games consoles are just some examples.

Servers

A server is a computer whose purpose is to serve up data to other computers on the network. Recall that the definition of network includes the Internet as an example. Servers can be local (for example controlling an internal network), or global (for example a web server). In contrast to a personal computer, a server is typically used by multiple users simultaneously.