Computers

The choice of device(s) and programs depends on the user’s needs: the requirements are dictated by the tasks that will be performed with them.

When choosing a computer, characteristics may include:

• programs;
• required component power;
• cost of system deployment;
• energy consumption and maintenance cost;
• form factor;
• whether you already have these devices, or component compatibility with existing ones, and so on.

Understanding the task requirements allows better system optimization in terms of resources spent on deployment, use, maintenance, and/or scaling.

Examples of tasks

• Internet access — communication, access to public resources, and so on;
• work with specialized programs — office file editors (documents, spreadsheets, presentations), work with 3D models, editing video/audio or images, complex mathematical calculations, programming, and so on;
• interaction with equipment — peripheral devices (keyboard, mouse, display), network connections, modular hardware components, audio devices, and so on.

Typical examples of a computer

Smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, router, game console, smartwatch, smart refrigerator, smart vacuum cleaner, 3D printer, video surveillance camera, smart thermometer, and others.

Some kinds of computers are more flexible in the choice of hardware components and programs, while others can be used only in the manufacturer’s device configuration yet provide other advantages.

For example, a PC has a flexible choice of modular powerful components and a wide range of available programs, yet cannot be put in a pocket while powered on like a modern smartphone. At the same time, a smart thermometer that only measures temperature and transmits it is a simpler and cheaper solution for its task. Although both a PC and a smart thermometer perform digital computation, they are designed for different tasks and have different use cases.