Is That a NetPad or an iPuter? Understand Your Students’ Tech Gizmos

Not so long ago, computers fell into two different categories. You had desktops, which were non-portable computers that you used at a desk and laptops, portable computers you could take anywhere. When laptops were laptops and desktops were desktops, phones were actually used primarily to make phone calls. That, however, has changed a lot. The lines between technology devices have blurred, and with the rules changing constantly, it is becoming quite difficult to know the capabilities of any one device your student may have in his hands.

It can be hard to keep up with the fast-paced evolution of technology.

Below, we will attempt to decode some of the devices, let you know what their capabilities are and help you understand this ever-shifting technological landscape.

The desktop computer:  This one hasn't actually changed at all. Desktops are still computers that are not portable. They might have funky designs like the Mac Mini and other esthetically pleasing machines, but they're still designed to be rooted to one location.

The laptop computer:  A laptop used to be any computer that folds up and can be carried with you. Now, a laptop computer designates a portable computer with full computing power behind it. Most laptops are comparable in power and storage capacity to their desktop cousins. In general, you will pay more for a laptop with the same processing power and hard-drive space as a comparable desktop, but otherwise, you will be getting a similar machine in a portable package.

Netbooks:  Netbooks look like laptops, but they tend to have smaller screens and less-powerful processors. Most Netbooks are built to easily connect to the Internet and what they lack in speed and power they make up for in portability and ease of use. Netbooks tend to work well for Internet browsing and basic functions like word processing. They can be a little slow for video editing or other high-power uses.

Tablets:  The most famous tablet is the iPad, but not all tablets are iPads. Tablets are essentially low-powered laptops that have touch screens and no keyboard. They can be used with an external keyboard, but most are used in their native touchscreen form, where data is entered through an on-screen digital keyboard. Tablet users can download “apps” which are essentially programs that do specific things. There are apps for everything from word processing and giving presentations to finding a restaurant or learning the location of the closest Starbucks. Some tablets come with a built-in Internet connection, and other access the Internet through WiFi, so it's important to realize that a student using a tablet may well have the ability to go online.

E-Readers:  This category includes everything from the black-and-white Amazon Kindle to the full-color Nook from Barnes & Noble. Many of these devices come with built-in Internet access, and while they were originally designed to read electronic books, many can do much more. There are now apps for the Nook, and the Kindle and the Nook have rudimentary Web browsers. In many ways, the line between E-readers and tablets is blurring, and many predict that the two categories will eventually merge.

Smart Phones:  A “smart” phone is essentially a phone that provides some basic computer functions. Phones in this category allow access to email, GPS and other apps. Though these phones can make phone calls, many are optimized for other tasks like listening to music or even watching movies.

Article by Daniel B. Kline, EducationWorld Contributing Editor
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