Understand what a personal computer is

Desktop networked computers
Desktop PC
  • A Network Computer (NC) can be thought of as a low-cost version of the PC.
  • It is designed to connect to and be managed by a central computer (e.g. a mainframe or a minicomputer). Each time the Network Computer is switched on, it retrieves the latest version of the software it needs from the central computer. This means that components used to install and upgrade software (such as a diskette drive or a CDROM drive) are not required.

  • Network Computers tend to have slightly less processing power and storage capacity than PCs. This, coupled with the lack of other components, makes them substantially less expensive. However, it should be remembered that a Network Computer is of no use unless it is connected to a central computer whereas a PC can operate on its own.

  • Network Computers tend to be used in call centres, help desks and data processing departments where users don’t require the flexibility of a PC, but need to access centralised software and information. The main advantage is that when software needs to be changed, it only needs changing on the central computer, not the individual Network Computers themselves.