Understanding Mobile Devices
Quentin Docter, Jon Buhagiar · 2019
This chapter covers the characteristics of modern mobile devices. Computers of all sizes and capabilities use similar forms of RAM for primary storage-the storage location for currently running instructions and data. Secondary storage-the usually nonvolatile location where these instructions and data are stored on a more permanent basis-is another story. As of the time of writing, larger systems still favor conventional hard disk drives-with magnetic spinning disks, larger overall capacity, and less cost per byte-over the newer solid-state drives (SSDs), although SSDs are quickly gaining in popularity. The defining characteristic of a tablet computer has always been the touch screen. Touch screens come in two varieties: resistive and capacitive. Resistive touch screens respond to pressure, and they are highly accurate in detecting the position of the touch. These types of touch screens require the use of a stylus or other hard object, such as a fingernail. The smartphone is by far the most popular computer device in the world today. Whereas households might have one or maybe two desktop or laptop computers each, it seems like everyone from grandparents to preschoolers has their own smartphone.