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Hardware & Performance Grade 12
Mobile device hardware, factors that affect computer performance, and choosing the right system for a user's needs.
Mobile Technology Hardware
Smartphones have similar hardware to desktops but in miniaturised form. Key differences:
| Component | Desktop | Smartphone |
|---|
| CPU | Separate chip; very powerful; many cores | SoC (System on a Chip) — CPU+GPU+modem+RAM in one chip |
| Input | Keyboard and mouse | Touchscreen; virtual keyboard |
| Display | Large external monitor | Small built-in touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wired NIC or Wi-Fi card | Built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G/5G, GPS, NFC |
| Battery | Plugged in; no battery constraint | Limited battery; performance vs battery trade-off |
Mobile Constraints
- Battery life: limited capacity must last the whole day; processing power directly affects battery drain
- Form factor: miniaturised components mean less cooling and tighter power limits
- Screen size: limited display area affects usability for complex tasks
- Input limitations: touchscreen less precise than physical keyboard/mouse for complex input
Factors Influencing Computer Performance
| Factor | How it affects performance |
|---|
| CPU clock speed (GHz) | Higher = more instructions per second; faster processing |
| CPU cores | More cores = better multitasking and parallel processing |
| RAM amount and speed | More RAM = more programs running simultaneously; higher speed = faster data transfer to CPU |
| Cache size (L1/L2/L3) | Larger cache = CPU waits less for data from RAM |
| GPU clock speed | Higher GPU speed = faster graphics rendering; important for gaming and video |
| Storage type (HDD vs SSD) | SSD dramatically faster boot times and application loading |
| NIC speed (Mbps) | Faster NIC = faster downloads, streaming, network file transfers |
| Operating system | Outdated OS causes compatibility issues, security risks and slower operation |
HDD vs SSD — Summary
| Feature | HDD | SSD |
|---|
| Speed | Slow (mechanical) | Very fast |
| Durability | Fragile (moving parts) | Durable (no moving parts) |
| Noise | Audible spinning | Silent |
| Cost per GB | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Boot time | Long (30–60 seconds) | Very short (5–15 seconds) |
Motivating a Computer System for a User
When recommending a computer, match the components to the user's needs:
| User type | Recommended specs |
|---|
| Office/admin worker | Moderate CPU, 8GB RAM, SSD, integrated graphics |
| Graphic designer / video editor | Fast multi-core CPU, 16–32GB RAM, dedicated GPU, large SSD |
| Gamer | Fast CPU, 16GB+ RAM, high-end dedicated GPU, fast SSD |
| Student | Mid-range CPU, 8GB RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, long battery (laptop) |
| Server / database host | Many cores, large ECC RAM, RAID storage, redundant power |