2. All the computers that are developed are not
alike rather they have different designs and
features. Some computers have very high
capacity as well as working speed; however,
some are slow. Depending upon the
requirements, computers are being
developed.
INTRODUCTION
3. So there are five varieties of
computers:
• Supercomputer
• Mainframes
• Workstations
• Microcomputers
• Microcontrollers
All-Purpose Machine
4. • This category of computer is the fastest and also very
expensive. A typical supercomputer can solve up to ten
trillion individual calculations per second.
• Supercomputers are the fastest and the most expensive
computers. These huge computers are used to solve very
complex science and engineering problems.
Supercomputers get their processing power by taking
advantage of parallel processing; they use lots of CPUs at
the same time on one problem. A typical supercomputer can
do up to ten trillion individual calculations every second.
Example Supercomputers:
1. SUPER COMPUTER
5. • It is high capacity and costly computer. It is largely used by
big organizations where many people can use it
simultaneously.
• Mainframe computers are similar to supercomputers in
many aspects, the main difference between them is the fact
that a supercomputer uses all its raw power to focus on very
few tasks, while a mainframe perform thousands or millions
of operations concurrently. Due to its nature, mainframes are
often employed by large organizations for bulk data
processing, such as census, industry and consumer
statistics, enterprise resource planning and transaction
processing.
2. MAINFRAMES
6. • The computer of this category is a high-end and expensive
one. It is exclusively made for complex work purpose.
• Workstations are high-end, expensive computers that are
made for more complex procedures and are intended for
one user at a time. Some of the complex procedures consist
of science, math and engineering calculations and are
useful for computer design and manufacturing. Workstations
are sometimes improperly named for marketing reasons.
Real workstations are not usually sold in retail, but this is
starting to change; Apple's Mac Pro would be considered a
workstation.
3. WORKSTATIONS
7. • Microcomputers are small, low-cost and single-user
digital computer.
• They consist of CPU, input unit, output unit, storage unit
and the software. Although microcomputers are stand-
alone machines
• They can be connected together to create a network of
computers that can serve more than one user.
• IBM PC based on Pentium microprocessor and Apple
Macintosh are some examples of microcomputers.
Microcomputers include desktop computers,
4. MICROCOMPUTERS
8. • Microcontrollers are mini-computers that
enable the user to store data and execute
simple commands and tasks. Many such
systems are known as embedded
systems. The computer in your car, for
example, is an embedded system. A
common microcontroller that one might
come across is called Arduino.
5. MICROCONTROLLERS
10. A computer is a device that transforms data into
meaningful information. It processes the input
according to the set of instructions provided to it
by the user and gives the desired output.
Computers are of various types and they can be
categorized in two ways on the basis of size and
on the basis of data handling capabilities.
INTRODUCTION
11. So, on the basis of construction, there
are three types of computers:
• Analog
• Digital
• Hybrid
On the basis of Construction
12. • Analog computers are designed to measure continuous electrical or
physical conditions, such as current, voltage, flow, temperature,
length, or pressure.
• Mostly analog computers are special-purpose computers. Normally
they are designed to perform some specific task not multiple tasks.
• The key component of the analog computer is the operational
amplifier, and the computer's capacity is determined by the number
of amplifiers. Examples Wrist watch (if non-digital), your car's
speedometer, pressure, temperature, and fuel gauges are also
considered analog computers.
1. ANALOG
13. • Digital computers are designed to perform daily routine
tasks such as writing letters, sending e- mails, performing
calculations in an office or creating a database to store large
amount of data etc.
• Digital computers may be either special or general purpose.
Mostly these computers are designed to perform multiple
tasks.
• Key component •IC (Integrated Circuits) Examples Personal
Computer, Laptop, Mainframe, Super Computer etc.
2. DIGITAL
14. • A computer which possesses characteristics of both
Analog and Digital computers is called Hybrid computer.
Some computers combine the functions of both analog
and digital computers. These computers are called Hybrid
Computers.
• Hybrid Computer Examples Cement plant, ECG machine,
CNG pump
• Digital Computer can be further classified as: Micro
computer
3. HYBRID
15. So, on the basis of configuration, there
are five types of computers:
• Laptop
• Palmtop
• Mainframe
• Miniframe
• Supercomputer
On the basis of Configuration
16. • A laptop computer (also known as notebook computer) is a small mobile
personal computer, usually weighing around from 1 to 3 kilograms (2 to 7
pounds). Notebooks smaller than an A4 sheet of paper and weighing around
1 kg are termed subnotebooks.
• Laptops contain components that are similar to those in their desktop
counterparts and perform the same functions but are designed for mobile
use and efficient power consumption.
• Laptops have LCD displays for output. In addition to a built-in keyboard,
they may utilize a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a pointing stick
for input, though an external mouse or keyboard can also be attached.
1. LAPTOP
17. • A small computer that literally fits in your palm. Compared to
full-size computers, palmtops are limited, but they are
practical for certain functions such as phone books and
calendars.
• They are also called hand-held computers, pocket
computers or PDA (Personal data assistant or pocket digital
assistant)
• The primary input device of a PDA is the stylus. A stylus is an
electronic pen and looks like a small ballpoint pen. This input
device is used to write notes and store in the PDA by
touching the screen.
2. PALMTOP
18. • A mainframe (also known as "big iron") is a high-performance computer
used for large-scale computing purposes that require greater availability and
security of data than a smaller- scale machine can offer. In the past, a
typical mainframe might have occupied 2,000 - 10,000 square feet. Now the
mainframe computer specially requires a very large clean room with air-
conditioner.
• Historically, mainframes have been associated with centralized rather than
distributed computing.
• Mainframe computers are usually large and expensive computers.
Thousands of users can work at a time on mainframe computers.
3. MAINFRAME
19. • Minicomputers were first introduced in early 1960s. A minicomputer is a
class of multi-user computers that lies in the middle range of the mainframe
computers and the microcomputers. They are smaller than mainframes in
size and other facilities, such as speed, storage capacity and services.
• Size: A minicomputer and its peripheral equipment can usually fill a small
room. A minicomputer typically about the size and shape of a wardrobe,
mounted in a single tall rack.
• Minicomputers are commonly used as servers like a small mainframe in a
network environment and hundreds of users can be connected to the
network with a minicomputer at a time. Now the terms "midrange computer"
and "server" replaced the venerable minicomputer designation.
4. MINIFRAME
20. • Super computer is a large computer or collection of computers that act as
one large computer capable of processing enormous amounts of data. They
are the fastest and most powerful type of computers.
• Size: A minicomputer and its peripheral equipment can usually fill a small
room. A minicomputer typically about the size and shape of a wardrobe,
mounted in a single tall rack.
• A super computer can execute one instruction in Pico-seconds (thousand-
billionth of a second). Mostly they are based on the principle of parallel
processing. They have extraordinary high speed due to the use of several
processors connected in parallel.
5. SUPER COMPUTER
