Desktop computers are probably the type of computer you are most familiar with. They come with a monitor (now usually a TFT screen), keyboard, mouse, CD-RW and a DVD-RW or at least a DVD-ROM.

Often they have built in wireless technology allowing them to connected to network without having to use cables. Laptops do not come with a mouse due to the fact that they are often used where there in not a table to use a mouse on. Instead they have a touchpad built into them. You would also expect a laptop to have a CD-RW and DVD-ROM as standard.

They can be used to do tasks similar to ones done by desktop and laptops but more often they are used for note taking, calendars, address books and a means of sending and receiving email. A palmtop works together with a desktop or laptop so data can be transferred between computers. This is done using a cable or using Bluetooth wireless technology.

They are accessed through one or more terminals. Terminals consist of a screen, keyboard, mouse but no processor as all the processing is done by the mainframe.
Here’s a little video to show you the types of computers