Role play
Work with a partner or your instructor. One of you wants to buy a computer, the other is the sales assistant. Ask and answer questions, using the information and instructions below to help you.
Shop assistant Customer
Greet the customer and offer help. Ask to see some computers.
Show the customer some models. Ask for details: processor, RAM, etc.
Describe the speed in megahertz Ask about the hard disk.
and the main memory.
Give explanations (MB storage Ask about the monitor and other features.
capacity, etc.).
Give the required information. Ask the price.
Give the price and explain Decide to buy one/to think about it.
different ways of paying.
Thank the shop assistant and leave
the shop.
Read and talk
A. Read the descriptions of the four people and the four computers below. Choose the most suitable computer for each person. Give reasons for your choices.
1. Daniel is a history student. He needs a computer to write essays, assignments and letters.
2. Sarah is the manager of an advertising company. She needs a powerful system which will work with optical disks and multimedia applications, integrating text and pictures with animation and voice annotations. Digitized images and sound occupy a lot of disk space.
3. Andy is a CAD engineer. His job involves computer-aided design, simulations and three-dimensional modelling. These applications require a lot of memory and a large drive.
4. Tanya is a sales representative. She needs a lightweight machine with which she can process orders and communicate with head office while she is on the road.
Digital Alpha workstation
600 MHz 64-bit Alpha microprocessor
128 MB RAM expandable up to 1.5 GB
Hard disk capacity: 9 GB
Supports several graphics formats
Lets you attach any peripherals and link up to any network
Allows you to handle your toughest technical, scientific and business-critical applications
Supports Digital UNIX, Open VMS and Windows operating systems
2115grv
HP Vectra
Pentium processor running at 333 MHz
32 MB of RAM
High density 3-5", 1.44 MB floppy disk drive
32x CD-ROM drive
3.2GB hard disk
Network card
Standard keyboard and Microsoft mouse
Windows
2555grv
Power Macintosh
PowerPC processor at 400 MHz
128 MB of RAM expandable to 1 GB
1 MB of in-line cache on the processor card
16 MB of video RAM
12 GB hard disk
3.5" floppy drive, 24x CD-ROM and Zip unit
Optional DVD-ROM drive Comes with AppleVision monitor, sound board, built-in microphone, and stereo speakers
Mac OS with QuickTime (an extension that lets you play video and animation on the computer)
3681grv.
Compaq notebook
300 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology
64 MB RAM
6 GB hard drive
3.5" floppy disk drive and CD-ROM drive
Internal 56k modem
12.1" colour TFT display with high resolution
Compaq trackball mouse
Extended life NiMH battery
Weighs only 6 lbs
Windows comes pre-installed
3297grv
B. Read the descriptions of these computers again and choose the one that is closest to your ideal. Explain the reason for your choice.