Scribd
Upload
35 views

Today's Goal: To Learn To Classify Computers According To Their Capability and Targeted Applications

This lecture discusses different types of computers classified according to their capabilities and intended applications. It outlines supercomputers, mainframes, servers/minicomputers, desktops, portables, PDAs, and ranks them by typical installed numbers, with PC's being most common and supercomputers being least common. Supercomputers are the most powerful and are used for scientific/engineering tasks requiring huge data or computation. Mainframes support hundreds to thousands of users for critical enterprise applications. Servers/minicomputers are mid-sized machines suitable for 4-200 users. Desktops include personal computers and higher-end workstations.

Uploaded by

adeel khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
35 views

Today's Goal: To Learn To Classify Computers According To Their Capability and Targeted Applications

This lecture discusses different types of computers classified according to their capabilities and intended applications. It outlines supercomputers, mainframes, servers/minicomputers, desktops, portables, PDAs, and ranks them by typical installed numbers, with PC's being most common and supercomputers being least common. Supercomputers are the most powerful and are used for scientific/engineering tasks requiring huge data or computation. Mainframes support hundreds to thousands of users for critical enterprise applications. Servers/minicomputers are mid-sized machines suitable for 4-200 users. Desktops include personal computers and higher-end workstations.

Uploaded by

adeel khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Lecture 4

Today’s Goal
To learn to classify computers according to their capability and
targeted applications
Computer Types According to Capability
Supercomputers
 A supercomputer is a computer that performs at or
near the currently highest operational rate for
computers. A supercomputer is typically used for
scientific and engineering applications that must
handle very large databases or do a great amount
of computation (or both). At any given time, there
are usually a few well-publicized supercomputers
that operate at the very latest and always
incredible speeds.
Mainframe Computers
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting
hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. In the
hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor at the bottom
and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just
below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a
single program faster than a mainframe. The distinction
between small mainframes and minicomputers is vague (not
clearly expressed), depending really on how the manufacturer
wants to market its machines.
Servers / Minicomputers
A midsized computer. In size and power,
minicomputers lie between workstations and
mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction
between large minicomputers and small mainframes
has blurred(unclear), however, as has the distinction
between small minicomputers and workstations. But
in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing
system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200
users simultaneously.
Desktops
These are also called microcomputers. Low-end desktops
are called PC’s and high-end ones “Workstations”. These
are generally consisting of a single processor only, some
times 2, along with MB’s of memory, and GB’s of storage.
PC’s are used for running productivity applications, Web
surfing, messaging. Workstations are used for more
demanding tasks like low-end 3-D simulations and other
engineering & scientific apps. These are not as reliable and
fault-tolerant as servers. Workstations cost a few thousand
dollars; PC around a $1000.
Portables
Portable computer is a personal computer that is designed to
be easily transported and relocated, but is larger and less
convenient to transport than a notebook computer. The
earliest PCs designed for easy transport were called portables.
As the size and weight of most portables decreased, they
became known as laptop computer and later as notebook
computer. Today, larger transportable computers continue to
be called portable computers. Most of these are special-
purpose computers - for example, those for use in industrial
environments where they need to be moved about frequently.
PDA’s
PDA (personal digital assistant) is a term for any
small mobile hand-held device that provides
computing and information storage and retrieval
capabilities for personal or business use, often for
keeping schedule calendars and address book
information handy.
Most PDAs have a small keyboard. Some PDAs have an
electronically sensitive pad on which handwriting can be
received. Apple's Newton, which has been withdrawn from the
market, was the first widely-sold PDA that accepted
handwriting. Typical uses include schedule and address book
storage and retrieval and note-entering. However, many
applications have been written for PDAs. Increasingly, PDAs
are combined with telephones systems. Some PDAs offer a
variation of the Microsoft Windows operating system called
Windows CE(Windows Embedded Compact). Other products
have their own or another operating system.
Ranking w.r.t. installed number
 PC’s
 PDA’s
 Workstations
 Servers
 Wearable
 Mainframes
 Supercomputers

You might also like