Complete the passage about a portable computer with the words in the box.

The StarPC only weighs six pounds but it runs as fast as desktop computers. Its Pentium 4, 2.5 GHz (1)…… speeds through even big applications. At 9 x 11.5 x inches, this new handheld computer is one of the fastest and smallest (2)…… on the market.

Its standard 40 GB hard disk is large enough to hold all the programs you're likely to need. And you also get a DVD and CDRW player. Its 256 MB of (3)…… is expandable up to 1 gigabyte.

Its 14.1" screen offers excellent image quality, supporting 16.7 million (4)…… at 1024 x 768 pixel resolution.

The StarPC's resident software includes a word processor, a (5)…… program and a graphics package. Its operating (6)….. is ROM-based, and shows icons, windows and pull-down (7)……

A touch pad above the keyboard acts as a mouse. There is also a built-in (8)…… to process the voice. So you can digitally record, edit and play back speech. You can also connect the StarPC to a large combination of (9)…… and network devices.

Task 5.

Read the text again and complete the specification with the relevant information.

Dimensions:................................................................................................................................................

Microprocessor:...........................................................................................................................................

RAM:..........................................................................................................................................................

Disk drives:................................................................................................................................................

Hard disk:..................................................................................................................................................

Screen:.......................................................................................................................................................

Software:...................................................................................................................................................

Operating system:.......................................................................................................................................

Other peripherals:........................................................................................................................................

Task 6.

A.

Read the specifications of four computers. What purposes is each one suitable for? Which one would you like to have? Why?

Sun workstation   · One or two dual-core AMD Opteron processors · Up to 32 GB of memory · Up to four cards and eight displays · Expandable, high-performance storage options · Eight internal 750-GB drives support up to six terabytes of internal storage · Multiple slots are available · Multi-OS flexibility: supports Solaris, Linux 3/4/5, Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 · Supports several graphics formats · Allows you to handle the toughest technical, scientific and business applications

Gateway convertible notebook · convertible means it can be used as a laptop and a Tablet PC · Intel Core 2 Duo processor · 14-inch WXGA TFT colour touch screen · a 250GB hard drive and 3072 MB of memory. · available direct from Gateway for $1, 299.99 · easily connects to digital devices, digital media and peripherals via a 7-in-1 Media Card Reader, three USB 2.0 ports · integrated Wi-Fi for connecting to campus and wireless hot-spots · Bluetooth connectivity and extended battery life of up to eight hours on a single charge · Digital Pen Computing (take handwritten notes, draw diagrams and edit documents)

Sony Vaio laptop · Home notebook with Intel Core i5 processor at 2.26 GHz · 500 GB Hard Drive · Memory Size: 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM · Optical Drive Type: Blu-ray Disc Player · Full HD 17.3” VAIO Display with LED backlight · Resolution 1920 x 1080 · Memory Stick Slot · 3 USB 2.0 Ports · lithium-ion battery · Battery Life time: 155 minutes · Built-in digital camera · Integrated wireless LAN · Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium

Dell Inspiron Desktop Computer · Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core · Memory: 2GB DDR2 · Storage: 250GB hard drive · Optical Drives: Double-layer DVD±RW; DVD-ROM · Monitor: 22-inch LCD Widescreen · Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio · Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium · Price: $1, 129 direct, $1, 409 with widescreen LCD monitor · Optional features: Windows Media Center, integrated TV tuner, a Blu-ray disk drive for high-definition content

B.

Listen to four people who describe their needs. What computer would you recommend to each person? Give reasons.

Task 7.

Write the specification of your computer or the computer you would like to have. Remember to give the following details:

• Type of computer
• CPU
• RAM
• Speed
• Hard disk
• Disk drives
• Monitor
• Software
• Other details