There are 3 types of computers. There is your desktop PC. These can be small mini or micro PCs to full height towers that sits on the floor. There are your notebook computers with screen sizes from 12″ – 17″. Last are your servers which are the workhorses. Without servers, there will be no websites, nor network resources. Telephone services will grind to a halt, and be much more expensive. All computers will require USB-C ports as standard. USB-A is no longer supported, and those that would need USB-A devices will have to get a dongle to connect the device to the dongle, then the dongle to the computer. This is a minor inconvenience, but USB-C has become a standard port within then nation. For computers to meet NSC specs, they must have certain features that will be listed below. Those that do not meet the standards can not be used for education, or government roles, and purchases. All computers must meet the following:
- Bluetooth 5.0+
- SD card Reader
- USB-C4/Thunderbolt
- Wifi-7+
An HDMI port is allowed for desktops and servers that are not all in ones. HDMI is not valid on notebooks.
Bluetooth 5.0+
Bluetooth is a standard for low bandwidth personal communication. For example, one could use bluetooth to transfer a file from a computer to a smartphone. Bluetooth is used for keyboards, and mice. Bluetooth is used to connect earphones, and headphones. Without Bluetooth, things will be much more difficult. The computer will be intended to support the latest version.
SD Card Reader
All computers will require to have an SD card reader. This will be the standard for transferring files that should not be transferred across a LAN, or over the internet. The SD card can also hold personal files of the user, such as backing up their music library. In addition, smartphones may support micro-SD. This is the little brother of the SD card. They use the same protocols, and just requires an adapter to fit a micro-SD card into an SD card reader.
USB-C4
USB-C4 is the standard for connectivity. All phones will use USB-C. keyboards and mice can use USB-C. In addition, Thunderbolt will use the USB-C connector – although not all USB-C ports are Thunderbolt. USB-C4 will also connect hard drives, speakers, and printers that aren’t connected to the network.
Wifi-7
This is very valuable for notebooks as they aren’t likely to have a RJ45 port. For those that would need to connect to the LAN via RJ45 will need an dongle, but for other instances – Wifi-7 maybe the best solution. Again, this is because notebooks likely don’t have an RJ45. Most people are very familiar and aware of Wifi.