Definition

disposable computer

Part of the Electronics glossary:

A disposable computer is a small data processing device with input/output , memory , and communication capabilities; the device is intended to be used for a limited time period or number of uses and then discarded. Cypak AB, a Swedish company, produces disposable computers and sells them to OEM s (original equipment manufacturers) for about $1 (U.S.) each. The Cypak device, essentially a processor mounted on paperboard, is currently being embedded in packing materials and used, for example, to track delivery data in courier packaging and to monitor patient dosage data from within the packaging for medications. Cypak's disposable computer has 32 kilobyte s of memory, which is enough to allow it to process and exchange several pages of encrypted data; it communicates through RFID .

Next Steps

  • disposable PC

    A disposable PC is a relatively inexpensive but...

    (WhatIs.com)
  • clean computing

    Clean computing is when an organization's manuf...

    (WhatIs.com)

As the price of embedded system s decreases, their cost becomes a less significant portion of the total cost of production, making the devices practical for a wider range of applications. According to some embedded systems engineers, disposable networked computers could soon be embedded in almost anything in our environment, leading to an envisioned future situation sometimes called ubiquitous computing .

A disposable computer is not necessarily the same thing as a disposable PC , which is a relatively inexpensive but full-featured personal computer that is designed to be discarded rather than fixed when serious problems arise.

This was last updated in September 2005
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • e-waste

    - E-waste is any refuse created by discarded electronic devices and components as well as substances involved in their manufacture or use. (SearchDataCenter.com)

  • Hardware 101

    - Test yourself. A WhatIs.com tech vocabulary quiz - computer hardware. Test yourself. (WhatIs.com)

  • planned obsolescence (built-in obsolescence)

    - Planned obsolescence, also called built-in obsolescence, is the conception, design and production of a product, such as hardware or software, with the intent that it should be useful, functional or... (WhatIs.com)

Glossaries

  • Electronics

    - Terms related to electronics, including definitions about electrical components and words and phrases about computers, laptops parts, digital cameras, televisions and home appliances.

  • Microprocessors

    - Terms related to microprocessors, including definitions about silicon chips and words and phrases about computer processors.

  • Internet applications

    - This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet applications, including definitions about Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models and words and phrases about web sites, e-commerce ...

Dig Deeper

Continue Reading About disposable computer

Fast References

People Who Read This Also Read...

Ask a Question. Find an Answer.Powered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Ask An IT Question

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Ask Question

Tech TalkComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.