Completely Electronic Device (Part II)

Mainframe computers can take up a whole room and can handle the needs of many simultaneous users while processing large volumes of data; they are most often used in large organizations and institutions. Supercomputers, the most sophisticated computers, are designed for extremely high speed processing of huge amounts of data, often using multiple processors working together. They are most often used for performing complex computations by the government, research organizations, and large industrial groups.

Fifteen or twenty years ago most books on computers described mainframes, because mainframes were the most common. Today, though, you are more likely to use a microcomputer. The firs micros were sold to computer hobbyists in 1975. In 1977, Apple entered the market with the Apple II, and in 1981 IBM joined the race. Apple released the Macintosh, the cornerstone of its current computer line, in 1984. during the 1980’s, literally hundreds of manufacturers began making microcomputers. The competition kept prices down, and millions of people and businesses bought micros.

As the microcomputer industry grew, computer makers constantly tried to lure new customers with more powerful machines. The typical microcomputer sold today can work with more than 200 times as much data as the first IBM PC, and it can work with that data at least 200 times as fast. In fact, many of today’s laptop and desktop microcomputers are more powerful than the minis and mainframes that dominated the market only fifteen or twenty years ago.

The power of the modern microcomputer enables it to be used for all kinds of tasks. You can use it to write papers, perform mathematical computations and analyses and conduct research. At home you can use the same computer to communicate with friends, play games, buy airline tickets, and keep track of finances. The same computer can be used again at work for correspondence, financial analyses, compiling and analyzing data, communicating with clients and a thousand other tasks.

Exercise 1. Insert the necessary prepositions

1. A computer is a device that processes raw data … useful information.
2. What distinguishes a computer … other information processing devices are three basic characteristics.
3. All its functions are carried … with electrical signals.
4. A computer can remember information and hold it … future use.
5. Only a few million personal computers were … use in 1980.
6. Microcomputers, besides relying … a microprocessor, are the smallest and generally designed … a single user.
7. The typical microcomputer sold today can work … more than 200 times as much data a the first IBM PC.
8. At home you can use the same computer … communicate with friends, play games and so on.

Exercise 2. Say it in English

Комп’ютери загального призначення, спеціальні функції, існування, корисна інформація, основні характеристики, для використання в майбутньому, вирішувати проблеми, електронний пристрій, велика кількість компонентів, сучасний мікрокомп’ютер, потужні машини, проводити дослідження.

Exercise 3. Translate into Ukrainian paying attention to the underlined words.

1. A computer is completely electronic. 2. A computer can remember information and hold it for future use. 3. A computer can solve problems for us in everyday life: at home, at school or at work. 4. A microcomputer gets the name from the tiny electronic device, called the microprocessor. 5. Supercomputers are designed for extremely high speed processing of huge amounts of data. 6. In fact, many of today’s laptop and desktop microcomputers are more powerful than the minis and mainframes that dominated the market only fifteen or twenty years ago. 7. The power of the modern microcomputer enables it to be used for all kinds of tasks.

Exercise 4. Put 8 questions to the text.