5 Listening

Part 1

A: I'm thinking of buying a computer, and I need some advice.

B: OK. What do you want to use it for?

A: For writing, maybe for games. I want it for the Internet.

B: For the Internet and games ... I recommend a multimedia computer.

A: What do you mean by a multimedia computer?

B: Well, it's more powerful than a basic computer. It's got sound and a CD-ROM or DVD drive. You can use it for high-quality graphics, animation, and video.

Part 2

A: What if I wanted... I travel a lot, if I wanted something smaller, what's available?

B: There are portable computers. A multimedia notebook is probably best.

A: Is a notebook the smallest kind you can get?

B: No, you can get subnotebooks and even smaller handheld devices. They're mostly used as organizers, as a diary, a 'to do' list, and that kind of thing. But for writing and general use a notebook is better.

A: OK, I think I'll go for a notebook. What other things do I need?

B: A printer... and for the Internet, make sure you have a modem.

A: A modem?

B: Yes, it's a device for connecting your computer to a telephone line. You need it to connect to the Internet.

Portable Computers

3 Listening

Interviewer: Some portable computers are referred to as laptops and others as palmtops. Can you explain the difference?

Tom: Sure. Laptops are simply smaller versions of desktop PCs, but they can run similar applications. However, palmtops are handheld computers and weigh less than 2 pounds; they are used as PC companions or as personal digital assistants.

Interviewer: And what are the basic features of palmtops?

Tom: Well, these handheld devices run on rechargeable alkaline batteries and have small keyboard and high-contrast LCD screens. Sometimes they have buttons for launching applications and a stylus or pen, which is used for interacting with a touch-sensitive screen.

Interviewer: Do they need special operating systems?

Tom: Yes. They usually run Palm OS, from Palm Computing or Pocket PC OS, the system developed by Microsoft for mobile-computing devices. Some pen-based systems can also recognize hand-written characters and convert them into editable text.

Interviewer: Right. What sort of things can you do with handheld computers?

Tom: They are usually designed to store personal information, for example, a calendar, an address book, a note pad, a calculator and a voice recorder. They can also come with built-in modem and Internet software, which lets you send and receive e-mail from a payphone, a hotel or even a plane.

Interviewer: Really? They are compatible with traditional PCs?

Tom: Yes, of course. They can transfer information to printers and PCs via cables or infrared link. The software lets you synchronize documents with your desktop PC.

Interviewer: and how do you see the future of palmtops? How will they develop, do you think?

Tom: Well, I think they’ll become more and more popular with business executives who’ll use them as a portable supplement to their desktop systems.

Unit B. Computer Uses (1)