Categories of

Computers
Sept 15, 2009
How are computers categorized?
Computers are categorized according to
their,
• Physical size
• Processing speed
• Number of simultaneously connected
users
• Price
 Categories by Size
• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
 Categories by Size
• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
 What is a Microcomputer?
• The most common type of computers
• Also known as personal computer/single-user
computer/home computer
• The first microcomputer was introduced by IBM
and was called IBM PC, where PC stood for
“personal computer”
• Why “micro”? Because the CPU was created on
a single chip, known as “microprocessor”
• These computers are more affordable as
compared to other categories
• A microcomputer or PC is designed for
general use by a single person
• A PC contains a processor, memory, and
one or more input, output, and storage
devices
• Usually runs a Windows operating system,
but Apple computers, such as the iMac,
use Macintosh operating system
• PC-Compatible computers are those
similar to the original IBM PC (also termed
as PC clones or IBM clones)
Some Examples
Original IBM PC (1981)
Commodore 64 (1982)
The Macintosh Portable (1989)
 Types of Personal Computers
• Desktop computers
– A PC that is not designed for portability (everything fits on a
desk)
– Used by business people for word processing, spreadsheets,
etc.
– Some desktop computers function as a server on a network
– Another expensive, powerful desktop computer is the
workstation
• Notebook computers or laptops
– Portable personal computer designed to fit on your lap
– The display, keyboard, pointing device (touchpad/trackpad),
processor, and other parts are integrated in a battery-operated
package
A Typical Notebook Computer (IBM
Thinkpad)
 Other Microcomputers
• Personal digital assistants (PDA’s)
– Tightly integrated computers that use flash memory instead of a
hard drive for storage
– Usually do not have keyboards, use touchscreen technology for
input
• Palmtop/Handheld computers
– Also known as subnotebooks/kneetops/minilaptops
– A subnotebook is a class of laptops that are smaller and lighter
than typical notebooks
• Tablet PC
– A slate-shaped mobile computer with touchscreen operated with
a stylus or digital pen
– Handwriting recognition
– Designed for students, teachers, artists, etc.
 Mobile Computers
• The preceding discussion allows us to define a
whole new category of computers, known as
mobile computers and mobile devices
• A mobile computer is a personal computer you
can carry from place to place (e.g. a laptop)
• A mobile device is a computing device small
enough to carry in a pocket without a disk drive
(use system memory for storage or memory
cards)
 Some Examples
• Desktop replacement computer/laptop -
smaller than a desktop but larger than a typical
laptop
• Ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) – Designed like a
tablet PC with a touch sensitive screen and
comes under handheld computers
• Pocket PC – hardware specification for a PDA
that runs the Microsoft Windows Mobile
operating system
• Electronic organizer/digital diary – small
calculator-sized computer with LCD display and
a few functions, like address book, calendar, etc.
• Programmable calculator – calculator capable
of being programmed like a computer, to solve
difficult computing problems (newer versions
have a touchscreen)
• Handheld game console – lightweight, portable
mobile device with built-in screen, game
controls, and speakers
• Portable media player – electronic device
capable of storing and playing digital media
(audio, video, images)
• Smartphone – internet-enable mobile phone
with PDA capabilities, provides one-handed
operation
 Categories by Function
• Server – a computer that has been optimized to
provide services to other computers over a
network, has a powerful processor, lots of
memory, and large disk drives
• Workstation – a desktop computer that has a
more powerful processor, additional memory
and enhanced capabilities (3D graphics/game
development)
• Embedded computer – a computer that is part
of a machine or device, executes a program
stored in non-volatile, read-only memory
 Categories by Size
• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
 What is a Minicomputer?
• A minicomputer is faster than a microcomputer
with access to more storage space and more
input/output devices
• The hardware of a minicomputer is designed to
connect more devices so that many users can
get access to data simultaneously
• Another name for minicomputers: mid-range
servers
• The PDP-8 was the first successful commercial
minicomputer, developed by Digital Equipment
Corporation (DEC)
• These computers are smaller than
mainframes and more expensive than
microcomputers
• Data is collected and stored in one place
from different terminals
• Terminals used by computer operators to
enter and review data do not have local
hard disks nor floppy disks
• A typical minicomputer may have 20 to
100 terminals connected to the mini
allowing as many people to review data on
screen and from printouts
DEC PDP-8 Minicomputer
 Categories by Size
• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
 What is a Mainframe?
• Mainframe is an industry term for a large
computer
• The name comes from the way the machine is
build up: all units (processing, communication
etc.) were hung into a frame. As the main
computer is build into a frame, therefore:
Mainframe
• Another name for mainframe computers:
enterprise servers
• Mostly used for banking and insurance
businesses to handle enormous amounts of data
• Mainframes are even more powerful than
minicomputers
• Often used by corporations that design
jets or study aerodynamic effects
• A term synonymous with mainframe
computers is “Big Iron” for the literally big
space the machines take up and the big
amount of metal it requires to put them
together
 Categories by Size
• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
 What is a Supercomputer?
• The fastest computer available and the largest in
size
• Any computer costing more than ten million
dollars is also known as a supercomputer
(average cost of supercomputers is 150 to 500
million dollars and even more)
• Any computer whose performance is limited only
by input/output rather than by the CPU
• Unlike mainframes and minicomputers,
supercomputers are used for heavy stuff
like weather maps, construction of atom
bombs, finding oil, and earthquake
prediction where a lot of calculations must
be done
• A supercomputer performs “above normal
computing”
• You can do anything in real time (meaning
now) with a supercomputer that cannot be
done in your lifetime with one single PC
Cray CX1 (Personal
Supercomputer)
 Wearable Computers
• The latest trend in computing
• Common computing applications (e-mail,
database, multimedia, etc.) are integrated
into devices like watches, cell phones,
visors, and even clothing
• Wearable computers and devices will be
built for the post-PC era, which is about to
dawn
Fossil Abacus Smart Watch
 Surface Computers
• A surface computer interacts with the user
through the surface of an ordinary object, rather
than through a monitor or keyboard
• Microsoft introduced this technology in 2007 with
their first surface computer, known as Microsoft
Surface
• Microsoft Surface has a coffee-table like design
and a multi-touch interface
• Users can interact with the machine by touching
or dragging their fingertips and objects such as
paintbrushes across the screen
THE END