A personal view on Mobile Computing presented to the Illawarra Computer Enthusiasts (ICE) by Rolf Schreiber, 27 October 2012
The First Portable Computer (1974) 800Khz processor 2-8kb of RAM 32kb of ROM one-line plasma display for output optional battery price $5000-$9000 The MCM/70 was one of the first micro-computers released. It was also the first portable computer on the market.
Some Portable Dinosaurs
The Osborne 1 (1981) 4 MHz processor 64kb of RAM two 92kb floppies 24 line display with 52 chars/line 1 hour battery life 300 baud modem 24 lbs (~11 kg) Designed by Adam Osborne, the most important specification requirement was that the Osborne 1 had to fit under an airplane seat. Cost was $1750.
The Kaypro II (1982) 2.5 MHz processor 64kb of RAM two 195kb floppies 24 line display with 80 chars/line serial/parallel port 26 lbs (~12 kg) Arthur C. Clarke (in Sri Lanka) used a Kaypro II and a modem while working on the movie version of his Sci-Fi novel "2010 to keep in touch with Peter Hyams (the director) in Los Angeles.
The Compaq Portable (1983) 4.77 MHz processor 128-640 kb of RAM two 360kb floppies CGA colour display serial/parallel port approx $3000 28 lbs (~13 kg) Compaq was one of the first successful IBM PC clones. Their BIOS allowed them to be virtually 100% compatible with PC software and hardware.
Recent Mobile Computers
Different Types of Recent Mobile Computers
The Modern Laptop Computer is a personal computer for mobile use has most of the same components as a desktop computer built into a single unit: motherboard/cpu/ram/video card/hdd display/keyboard/touchpad/speakers DVD-RW optical drive USB ports/hdmi connection wired (ethernet)/wi-fi networking Blutooth
The Modern Laptop Computer [cont.] is powered by a rechargeable battery with a battery life approx 2~8 hours are sometimes called notebook computers, notebooks or netbooks. have an operating system with a GUI interface (Windows / MacOS / Linux) user input is usually via keyboard, keypad or by clicking a mouse button
A Recent Laptop Example
Netbook Computers Netbooks are usually low-specification laptops with lower power (cheaper) CPUs, smaller size displays (1024x600 pixels), 2.5 inch HDDs and no optical drives. Some have solid state drives. USB / Blutooth / ethernet / Wi-Fi is standard. The operating system is usually a cut-down ( starter ) version of Windows.
A Recent Netbook Example
Pen Computing refers to a computer user-interface using a pen (or stylus ) and tablet, rather than input devices such as keyboards, joysticks or mice/trackballs. is also used to refer to the usage of mobile devices such as wireless tablet personal computers ( tablet computers ).
Pen Computing [cont.] the term has also been used to refer to the usage of any product allowing for mobile communication. invariably these devices have a touch sensitive screen ( touchscreen ) and the user interface can be a human finger, or a capacitive stylus.
Examples of a Capacitive Stylus
Tablet Computers
Features of a typical tablet ARM processor/flash memory & storage 7.0, 7.7 or 10.1 inch screen size typical screen resolution of 1280x800 pixels touch screen with virtual keyboard with input using a finger or capacitive stylus Google's Android OS 0.5-1 kilogram in weight 3-12 hrs battery life (depending on usage)
Features of a typical tablet [cont.] mobile Internet connectivity (Wi-Fi/3G/4G) browser, email and social media capability (view web pages, youtube, emails, facebook, twitter, etc) & run Android apps front & rear camera with photo & video taking/viewing/editing capability ebook reading & audiobook listening portable media player function GPS satellite navigation
A Tablet Computer Example
Laptop Tablet Computer Comparison Some advantages: useable in environments not conducive to a keyboard/mouse (lying in bed, standing, one handed) longer battery life than laptops/netbooks significant weight/size advantage more direct and pleasant to use a stylus, or finger to point and tap on objects, rather than use a mouse or touchpad
Laptop Tablet Computer Comparison [cont.] Some disadvantages: slower input speed (can attach external keyboard) less user-friendly ergonomics when typing weaker video capabilities (embedded graphics) smaller screen sizes (1280x800 vs 1920x1080) slower Internet speeds (Wi-Fi vs ADSL 2+ speed) higher risk of screen damage & dropping the device
Examples of Popular Tablets) Apple ipad Samsung Galaxy Asus Nexus
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Features model GT-P6800 dimensions (mm) 197Hx133Wx8D 340 grams weight Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS (upgradable) 1.4 GHz dual-core ARM processor separate GPU (graphics processor) 1GB RAM 16/32/64 GB flash memory storage
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Features [cont.] microsd slot for extra storage (up to 32GB) multi-touch screen 1280x800 pixel screen size (20 cm diag.) 197 pixels/inch (ppi) resolution 3.0 MP rear facing camera with LED flash 2.0 MP front facing camera HSPA/Wi-Fi/Blutooth connectivity USB/HDMA connectivity with adapter
Tablets A personal opinion In my opinion, tablet computers are not a replacement for other portable computing devices, since their features complement, rather than replace, those of netbooks and compact laptops. The smaller tablets with a 7.0/7.7 inch screen size makes them even more versatile for mobile communications (email, web browsing).
Taking the Internet with you
The Mobile Wi-Fi Modem A mobile broadband modem is a type of modem that allows a laptop/netbook/tablet/pc or a router to receive Internet access via a mobile broadband connection instead of using a telephone line. A mobile Internet user can connect using a wireless modem to a wireless Internet Service Provider (ISP) to get Internet access. The wireless ( Wi-Fi ) Internet connectivity is made possible by using a 3G SIM card.
Examples of USB Type Mobile Wi-Fi Modems
Typical Mobile Wi-Fi Modem Display
The Difference Between 2G & 3G SIM Cards SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module and is a card that stores contact details and text messages for GSM mobile phone subscribers. It also stores network authorisation data and user identity. 2G and 3G SIM cards are not created equal. A major difference exists between 2G and 3G SIM cards even though they are both of the same physical size:
The Difference Between 2G & 3G SIM Cards [cont.] Higher Bandwidth Allocation (rate of data usage and transfer) 2G SIM card data rates @ 56-236 Kb/sec 3G SIM card data rates @ 14,400 Kb/sec Better Security (when connecting the device to the network) 3G SIM cards have user authentication capability (more secure) 2G SIM cards lack this technology
The Difference Between 2G & 3G SIM Cards [cont.] Constant Internet Connection 3G SIMs use Internet Protocol connectivity which is packet-based. This means that when using devices with a 3G SIM card, they are always connected to the Internet. 2G SIM cards don t use IP connectivity
Examples of 3G SIM Cards
Example of a Mobile Broadband Modem with Built-in Wi-Fi Router
Telstra Elite Mobile Wi-Fi (MF60) portable wi-fi connection for on-the-go Internet simultaneously supports up to 5 wi-fi enabled devices (eg, tablet, ipod Touch) compact size, excellent battery life and an external antenna port supports a micro SD card up to 32 GB
Smartphones Smartphones are not new technology, nor are they a direct (chronological) replacement for other mobile computing devices. However, their rapidly increasing popularity and sophistication will most likely make them the dominant portable communication device in the future, replacing netbooks & tablet computers, when these devices reach the end of their useful life.
Some Smartphone Facts the first billion smartphones in use worldwide took 16 years (1996-2012) to reach the next billion smartphones are expected to be sold in less than the next three years (2012-2015) Apple's iconic iphone arrived in 2007. The iphone revolutionised smartphone design, and it catalysed industry growth.
First Smartphone (1996) The Nokia Communicator 9000, launched in 1996, is widely viewed as the first smartphone on the market. It was mainly for business use.
Apple iphone 5 (2012)
Samsung Galaxy S3 (2012)
Useful Accessories
Portable Power Packs based on one or more rechargeable lithium polymer battery cells connected in parallel to increase the discharge current capability designed to fit into a sealed pack with one or more USB sockets for output and a micro-usb (or plug ) socket for charging voltage is 5.0 VDC, compatible (ie, same polarity) with a standard USB charger
Examples of Portable Power Packs
Any Questions?