2. OUTLINES
➢ Compare and contrast various types of computer.
➢ Explain the different types of computers based on
operation.
➢ Explain the different types of digital computers.
➢ Explain the different types of computer for individual
users.
CATEGORIES
OF
COMPUTER
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3. Introduction
A computer is a basic, complete and functional
computer, including all the hardware and
software required to make it functional for any
user.
A computer system exists in a wide range of sizes
and ranges of power and different types of
computer systems having varying capabilities.
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER
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7. Classification based on operation
• Based on the operating principles or work
computers can be classified into one of the
following types:
• Digital Computers
• Analog Computers
• Hybrid Computers.
8. Analog Computer
❑ Analog computer is a computer that
operates with numbers represented by
directly measurable quantities (such as
voltage or rotations).
❑ It is single problem oriented machine.
❑ It do not require any storage capacity.
❑ The accuracy of analog computer is
poor.
❑ It is widely used in simulating the
operation of aircraft, nuclear power plant
and industrial chemical processes.
9. Examples of Analog Computer
• Thermometer: A device used for measuring body
temperature.
• Speedometer: A device used to measure the travelling
speed of vehicle.
10. Digital Computer
❑Digital computer is a computer that
works with numbers that are
represented by the digits 0 and 1.
❑It is capable of processing
information in discrete form.
❑It is multipurpose machine.
❑The accuracy of this machine is high.
❑All modern general purpose
electronic computers are digital
computers.
11. Examples of Digital Computer
• IBM-PC: First personal computer.
• Apple/Macintosh: First widely used computer with GUI.
12. Hybrid Computer
❑Hybrid computer is a computer
which combines the best features of
both analog and digital computers.
❑It help use to process both
continuous and discrete data.
❑It has the speed of analog computer
and accuracy of digital computer.
❑It is widely used in hospital for
measurement of patient’s heart beat,
blood pressure, etc.
15. Classification based on Size
• Depending on the size and performance
digital computers are classified as :
• Supercomputer
• Mainframe computer
• Minicomputer
• Microcomputer.
16. Super Computer
❑Supercomputer is extremely
powerful computer capable of
manipulating huge amount of data in
short time.
❑It has huge storage capacity.
❑It has multiple processor, often
functioning in parallel.
❑The speed of super computer is
measured in “FLOPS”
❑Supercomputer is used to design
automobiles, aircraft and spacecraft,
to forecast weather and global
climate.
18. Mainframe Computer
❑ Mainframe computer is a
large, expensive and ultrafast
computer.
❑ It can support hundred or
thousands of connected users.
❑ It act as the central host
computer in in distributed data
processing system.
❑ It is typically used for solving
very large commercial,
scientific or military problems.
20. Mini Computer
❑ Minicomputer is a medium scale
built to perform complex
computations.
❑ It is multiuser system.
❑ Minicomputer is extensively used
for payroll preparations,
accounting and scientific
computations.
❑ It is commonly used as servers in
network environment that handle
that data sharing needs of other
computer on the network.
21. Examples of Mini Computer
• PDP-8, HP 3000 Series and TI-990 etc
22. Micro Computer
Microcomputer is a small digital computer
whose central processing unit consist of a
microprocessor.
It is equipped with at least one type of data
storage, high speed RAM, and various I/O
devices.
It is designed for use by one person at a
time but nowadays it has become a
powerful tool for many business to serve
more than one users.
It is designed for use in home and office
setting.
23. Examples of Micro Computer
• MITS Altair 8800, IMSAI 8080, and all laptop and desktop
computers.
24. Computer for individual user
• Most computers are designed to meet the personal
needs of an individual, either in working place or at
homes.
• The personal computer category has grown
tremendously in the past decades.
• There are now several specific types of computers,
each with its own capabilities, features and
purposes.
25. Desktop Computer
❑ Desktop computer is a personal computer
that is designed to fit conveniently on top of
a typical office desk.
❑ It usually consists of system unit, input unit,
and output unit.
❑ There are two model of desktop computer:
▪ Desktop model
▪ Tower model.
26. Workstation
❑ Workstation is a single user high-
performance computer system that is
connected to another computer.
❑ It has greater multitasking capability because
of additional RAM.
❑ Workstation may share network resources
with one or more large client computer and
network servers.
27. Laptop
❑ Laptop computer is a small, portable
personal computer designed for use on one’s
lap.
❑ It consists of attached display unit, a
keyboard, pointing device, speaker and
battery etc.
❑ Laptop can be used for long hours depending
on the configuration and power management
of the computer.
28. Tablet
❑ Tablet is a wireless, portable personal
computer with a touch screen display.
❑ It is slim and light weight.
❑ It has rechargeable battery, sensors, camera
and a microphone.
29. Palmtop
❑ Palmtop computer is a small computer that
literally fits in your palm.
❑ It uses special pen and touch sensitive screen
to enter data.
❑ It operates on batteries.
30. Smartphone
❑ Smartphone is a handheld device that
functions as a small PC.
❑ It has high resolution touch screen display
and Wi-Fi connectivity.
❑ It has powerful CPU, good storage space and
RAM.
❑ It is used to store information, e-mail, install
program, along with using a mobile phone in
one device.