CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Computers may be classified according to

() physical size
() purpose for which they have been designed
(iii)functionality i.e. method/mode of operation

()CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL SIZE

Computers are classified into five main groups according to their size asfollows:
()Supercomputers
(ii) Mainframe computers
(iiü)Minicomputers

(iv)Microcomputers

(v) Portable computers e.g. Laptop computers, Notebooks, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's),
Palmtopsetc.

(1)SUPERCOMPUTERS
They are the fastest, largest, most expensiveand powerful computers.

They are mainly used in scientific research, simulation weapon analysis etc.
 Due to their extreme weight they are kept in a special room.

they generate a lot of heat and therefore they require

Due to their high processing power

special cooling system.

They are mostly found in developed countries such as USA where they are used for

advanced scientific research such as nuclear physics.

Areas where supercomputers are used

* They are mainly used in for scientific research involving very many complex calculations

requiring great processing power.

Uses of supercomputers include:

(i)Weather forecasting
(ii) Petroleum research
(ii) Aerodynamic design and simulation
(iv) Defence and weapon analysis
(v) Nuclear research etc.
These are tasks which use very large amounts of data which needs to be manipulated withina
very short time.
& Some examples of supercomputers include the Jaguar, Nebulae, Roadrunner, Kraken,
Jugene, Pleiades and the Tianhe-2. Others are the CRAY,T3D and NEC-500.

(2)MAINFRAME COMPUTERS

They are less powerful and less expensive than super computers.

Although super computers may be described as giant computers, the main frames are said

to be big in size.

They are used for processing data and perfoming complex mathematical calculations.

They have a large storage capacity and can support a variety of peripherals.

They are mostly found in government agencies,big organizations and companies such as

banks, hospitals, airports etc. which may have large information processing needs.

Areas where mainframe computers are used

* Mostly found in govemment agencies, large organisationsand companies such as banks,
hospitals, airports etc.which have large information processing needs.

* In banks and hospitals, they are used forpreparing bills, payrolls ete.
* In communication networks such as the Internet, they are used as servers.
In the aviationindustry,they are used for among other things, airline reservationsystems
where information of allflights, booking included is concemed.
Examples of mainframe computers include the IBM System Z Series, System z9 and Svste
Libra brand and the ClearPath Dorado from Unisys. Others are
z10 servers, the ClearPath
IBM 4381, ICL 39 series and the CDC Cyber series.

(3) MINI COMPUTERS

and they are referred

- They are physically smaller and cheaper than mainframe computers
to as small- scale mainframe computers.

They support fewer peripheral devices than mainframes.

They are less powerful and have less speed than main frame.

They are used mainlyin scientific laboratories,research institutions,engineering plants

and other places where processing automation is required.

They are well adapted for functions such as accounting, word processing, database
management and specificindustry application.
Areas where minicomputers are used
* Scientific laboratories and research institutions.
& Engineering plants and factoriesto control chemical or mechanical processes.
* Space exploration industry
& Insurance companies and banks for accounting purposes.
& Smal ler organisations as network servers.
Arewell adapted for accounting, word processing, database
management applications
etc. in organisations.

Examples of minicomputers include Control Data's CDC 160A and CDC 1700,
DEC
PDP and VAX series, Data General Nova Hewlett-Packard HP 3000 series, HP 2100
series, HP1000 series, Honeywell-Bull DPS 6/DPS
6000 series, IBM midrange
computers, Interdata7/32 and 8/32, Varian 620 100 series.

(4) MICRO COMPUTERS

They are the smallest,cheapest and less powerful than any other type of computer.
They are called microcomputers because their CPU is called a micro-processor which is

very small compared to that of mini, main frame or super computers.

Micro computers are alsocalled Personal Computers (PC)because they are designed to

be used by one person at a time.

They are mainly used for teaching and learning institutions, small businesses and
comnunication centresetc.

Technological advancement with timne has seen the development of smaller micro
computers that have greater processingspeed and power.
NB: A microprocessor is a single chip containing the Arithmetic Logic Unit and Control unit.
The microprocessor docs the data processing in microcomputers.

Types of micro computers

1. Desktop computers - they are not portable and they are designed to be placed on top of an

officedesk.

designed to be used by
Laptop computers- they are portable like a and they
briefcase are
2.

placing it on the lap hence, its name.

inside a briefcase
Laptops are small in size and are portable. They are smallenough
to fit

and still leave room for other items.

or on rechargeable batteries.
Laptop computers operate mainly on electricity

disk drive and flat screen (Liquid crystal

Laptop computers normally have in-built

display LCD)
number of periphcral devices and have limited storage capacities
Can support a limited

NB: The smaller computers like laptops tend to be more expensive than Desktop
computers since:
(i) The technology of producing smaller devices is expensive.

have advanced power management capabilities (they consume less power since
(ii) They

a laptop can operate on rechargeable batteries)

3. Palmtop computers - they are small enough to fit in the pocket and can be held in the

palm while being used e.g. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Have limited storagecapacities.

Are mainly used as Personal Organizers,with some minimal programs e.g. word

processing, spreadsheets,e-mail etc.

4. Notebook

A notebook computer is an extremely lightweight battery or AC powered persoral

computer, generallysmaller than a briefcase that can casily be transported and

convenientlyused in temporary spaces such as on aiplanes, in libraries, temporary
offices, and at meetings.
Areas where microcomputers are used
3 Training and learning institutions such as schools
Small business enterprises
In communication centres as terminals

NB: Microcomputers are very popular because they are:

(i)cheaperthan both mini and mainframe
computers
(i)are very fast i.e. have high
processingspeeds
(1)are small in size hence do not occupy much space
(V) are cnergy cfficient
in an oiee
in that they do not consume a lot of power
Examples of minicomputers include IBM PCs such as Apple Macintosh, Dell, Compaq, HP etc.
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