Desktops, Laptops, Tablets & Smartphones

	In today’s technological world, it is increasingly important to be able to using multiple devices. At a minimum, one should understand the capabilities of various technological devices. And, one cannot succeed without a thorough knowledge of at least one of these device platforms.
Device	Description
Desktop Computer	The desktop computer was the standard computing device 20 years ago. It is still the most powerful and flexible computing device available, allowing users to do work with large screens, to use exceedingly fast processors, and store data on enormous storage devices.
Laptop Computer	The invention of the laptop computer enabled users to carry their computing power around and do work on the move. With increasingly smaller internal electronics, the laptop is the current standard for most office workers. Whether in the academic field, business, or government, laptops provide workers with enormous power, storage space, and portability.
Tablet	The invention of the tablet has given users a device which can approximate the power of a laptop, but with the smaller convenience of a smartphone. In contrast to a smartphone, a tablet screen is large enough to easily read documents. And the touch screen capability enables users to quickly move from application to application or document to document. The most common use for tablets currently is as a reading device for easy reading of critical documents. Additionally, many users find it convenient to use the tablet to interface with the internet for watching videos or searching for documents.
Smartphone	Not long ago, cell phones had two or three primary uses: 1) making phone calls, 2) sending text messages, 3) keeping track of contact names and numbers. This is no longer true. The modern smartphone is fast replacing desktops, laptops and tablets as a primary device for computing work. Of course, the smaller screen is a significant limitation, but the raw power of a modern smartphone exceeds that of a desktop computer from 20 years ago. And, cloud computing is becoming more and more important, a development that will give smartphones new capabilities.