Answers for Section B: Discussion Questions Group Work 2

Questions:

1.  Imagine that you are the business manager for your university. What type of computer would you recommend for broad deployment in the university’s computer labs – a standard desktop personal computer or a thin client? Why?
2. What is a dual-core processor? What advantages does it offer its user?
3. Describe how you would select the best DVD burner to meet your needs.
4. If cost were not an issue, describe the characteristics of your ideal computer. What would you use it for? Would you choose a handheld, portable, desktop, or workstation computer? Why?
5. Your company’s marketing department plans to acquire 150 new computers and monitors, plus several new printers. The marketing vice president has asked you to lead a three-person project team assigned to define user computer hardware needs. Who else (role, department) would you select to be a member of the team? How would you go about defining users’ needs? Do you think that one hardware configuration (computer, monitor, and printer) will meet everyone’s needs? Should you define multiple configuration s based on the needs of various classes of end user? What business justification can you define to substantiate this expenditure of roughly $300,000?

Answers:

Question 1's Answer:

Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with information. Computer cannot do anything without a program. Computer takes raw data as input from the user and processes these data under the control of set of instructions called program and gives the result and save output for the future use. A typical modern computer uses LSI Chips.

Standard computer would recommend for broad deployment in the university’s computer labs. A standard desktop personal computer is relatively small, inexpensive single-user computer systems that are highly versatile. Named for their size – the part are small enough to fit on or beside an off desk, desktop computer can provide sufficient memory and storage for most business computing tasks. 

A thin client is a low-cost, centrally managed computer with no extra drives, such as a CD or DVD drive, or expansion slots. These computers have limited capabilities and perform only essential applications, so they remain “thin” in term of the client application they include. These stripped-down versions of desktop computers do not have the storage capacity or computing power of typical desktop computers, nor do they need it for the role they play. With no hard disk, they never pick up viruses or suffer a hard disk crash. 

Unlike personal computers, thin clients download software from a network when needed, making support, distribution and updating of software application much easier and less expensive. Some organizations are able to take advantage of thin clients including Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, which is providing employees in the field with thin clients to let them make billing inquiries and view policy data. Other organizations find it difficult to have users accept thin client, who prefer the features of a full-fledged computer. 

In summary computer have different type and brand for computer labs. The type of recommend computer is standard computer which has better processor and hard drive to store all data. Desktop computer cannot be carried to every way because desktop has big monitor and cpu, while thin client have limited capabilities and do not have storage capacity.

References

Dinesh Thakur (N.A) What is Computer?

Available from: http://www.ecomputernotes.com/fundamental/introduction-to-computer/what-is-computer, [Accessed on 25th May 2012]

Question 2's Answer:

A dual core processor for a computer is a central processing unit (CPU) that has two separate cores on the same die, each with its own cache. It essentially is two microprocessors in one. This type of CPU is widely available from many manufacturers. In a dual core processor, each core handles incoming data strings simultaneously to improve efficiency.

Advantages:-

An attractive value of dual core processors is that they do not require new motherboards but can be used in existing boards that feature the correct sockets. For the average user, the difference in performance will be most noticeable during multi-tasking. Servers that are running multiple dual core processors will see an appreciable increase in performance.

·         Features

Dual core processors often come with advanced features that single core processors do not have, such as multithreading. A thread is a single line of data that is processed by your processor at one time. A dual core processor can thread more data streams simultaneously. This makes multitasking on your computer easier because your processor doesn't have to switch back and forth between threads.

·         Affordability

When you need extra processing power, there are several ways to enhance your computer. You can purchase a system with two processors and two motherboard sockets. However, dual core processors are often cheaper alternatives. A dual processor refers to a computer with two processors, each processor containing a separate connection with the motherboard. A dual core processor is one single processor with two processing cores having a single connection to the motherboard.

·         Better Performance

Dual core processors report faster speeds than single core processors. When running a single program, both cores work together to stream data. This allows your computer to download at faster speeds and run commands more efficiently. Dual core processors also reduce the need for motherboard fans.

·         Power Consumption

With two cores running simultaneously, your computer is able to process programs faster, which reduces the power consumption of your system. This is especially useful in video and audio editing. You computer may need to run for hours while a video is rendering. A dual core processor cuts rendering time and saves energy.

Question 3's Answer:

Selecting the best DVD burner is subjective. The most important way is to find the needs when selecting the DVD burner. The first thing is to determine whether an internal DVD burner is better or if an external DVD burner could meet the needs. If is it about to share DVD burner with multiple computer, an external burner would probably function as the best. However, some consumer would select an internal DVD burner as their needs. I also want to think about whether color matters at all to me.

Once the consumer determined what the needs and already willing to purchase, they have to make sure the purchase is really the best DVD burner for them. You can do this various way, one of which is to discover and read consumer reviews of special products you are interested in.

Further option is to check out your local shop, which sold various electronic products and accessories and engage a customer service representative to talk about your choices. It is helpful if you are thinking about the small differences between special products, but keep in mind that shop sales people are more interested in selling you something compared to point you in the direction that is good for you.

In the conclusion, the best DVD burner, you will look for is one that provides the specs and reliability you need and expect, while offering a reasonable price tag to choose it. Make sure it is the case when you are willing to buy, and you cannot make a mistake. If you buy a product which does not meet all your needs, possibilities are you will be disappointed, and you will end up on another search for the best DVD burner sooner than you would like.

References

XPUpdate (N.A) How to Find the Best Internal DVD Burners

Available from: http://xpupdate.com/uncategorized/how-to-find-the-best-internal-dvd-burners/, [Accessed on 27th May 2012]

Question 4's Answer:

Creating your own ideal and unique computer is actually possible. By purchasing all the right hardware, you can assemble your own one of a kind computer.

If cost were not an issue I would want to be able to design and setup my own computer; which will be ideal for me and meet all of my need and requirements. I will use the computer for gaming and surfing the internet, but generally for gaming; and do assignments if it requires using a computer. I choose the computer to be portable (laptop), so that I can take it anywhere. Having a portable computer, this will enable me to take the computer anywhere and the matter of size means that it will not be space consuming. The downside of having a portable computer (laptop) is that, if hardware is damaged, you will have to disassemble the whole computer. This is because everything is assembled into one packed laptop. A desktop however, has its own monitor, CPU and keyboard; making it easier to fix the computer if it is damaged.

But nevertheless, being able to make or create your own computer with no price restrictions is very favorable.