Computer sizes and

power
1. Personal Computer: A small, single-user computer based on a
microprocessor.
2. Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation
is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful
microprocessor and, in general, a higher-quality monitor.
3. Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of
supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
4. Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can perform
hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
 1. PERSONAL COMPUTER
It can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer
designed for an individual user. In price, personal computers
range anywhere from a few hundred pounds to over five
thousand pounds. All are based on the Microprocessor
Technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU
on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word
processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running
spreadsheet and database management applications. At
home, the most popular use for personal computers is for
playing games and recently for surfing the Internet.
- A microprocessor may also be called a processor
or central processing unit (CPU), and is built over
a silicon microchip. It executes and manages the
logical instructions passed to it.
PERSONAL COMPUTERS
 Personal Computer Types
Actual personal computers can be generally
classified by size and chassis / case. The chassis or
case is the metal frame that serves as the
structural support for electronic components.
Every computer system requires at least one
chassis to house the circuit boards and wiring,
one monitor and a keyboard and mouse followed
by optional peripherals.
a.) Desktop Model
A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of
a desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top of
the computer. Desktop model computers are
broad and low, whereas tower model computers
are narrow and tall. Because of their shape,
desktop model computers are generally limited to
three internal mass storage devices.
Desktop Model Example
b.) Tower Model
The term refers to a computer in which the power
supply, motherboard, and mass storage devices
are stacked on top of each other in a cabinet. This
is in contrast to desktop models, in which these
components are housed in a more compact box.
The main advantage of tower models is that there
are fewer space constraints, which makes
installation of additional storage devices easier.
Tower Model example
c.) Laptop Computer
A small, portable computer -- small enough that it
can sit on your lap.
d.) Notebook Computer
An extremely lightweight personal computer.
Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6
pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a
briefcase. Aside from size, the principal difference
between a notebook computer and a personal
computer is the display screen.
A Notebook Computer
e.) Hand Held Computer
A portable computer that is small enough to be held in
one’s hand. Although extremely convenient to carry,
handheld computers have not replaced notebook
computers because of their small keyboards and screens.
The most popular hand-held computers are those that are
specifically designed to provide PIM (personal information
manager) functions, such as a calendar and address book.
Some manufacturers are trying to solve the small keyboard
problem by replacing the keyboard with an electronic pen.
Hand Held Computer
f.) Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

a handheld device that combines computing,

telephone/fax, and networking features. A
typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax
sender, and personal organizer. Unlike portable
computers, most PDAs are pen-based, using a
stylus rather than a keyboard for input.
PDA Examples
 g.) Mobile Computer
Mobile computing devices are generally modern-day
handheld devices that are not only for call and text purpose,
but have the hardware and software required to execute
typical desktop and Web applications. Mobile computing
devices have similar hardware and software components as
those used in personal computers, such as processors,
random memory and storage, Wi-Fi, and a base operating
system. However, they differ from PCS in that they are built
specifically for mobile architecture and to enable portability.
Mobile Computers
WORKSTATION
 2. WORKSTATION COMPUTERS
It is a type of computer used for engineering applications
(CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software development, and other
types of applications that require a moderate amount of computing
power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities. Workstations
generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, at
large amount of RAM, built-in network support, and a graphical
user interface. Most workstations also have a mass storage device
such as a disk drive. The most common operating systems for
workstations are UNIX and Windows NT. Like personal computers,
most workstations are single-user computers. However,
workstations are typically linked together to form a local-area
network, although they can also be used as stand-alone systems.
MAINFRAME
 3. MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
- A mainframe is an ultra-high performance computer made for high
volume processor-intensive computing.
- Since they can support a large number of equipment and have multiple
processors, they can handle the input and output requirements of several
thousand of users.
- These are computers used primarily by large organizations for critical
applications; bulk data processing, such as census, industry and consumer
statistics, enterprise resource planning; and transaction processing.
Meaning, It can process up to millions of card swipes and account
transactions that occurred daily.
- 96 out of the world’s top 100 banks currently run mainframes from IBM
whose been the most dominant player in the industry for a long time.
 Modern Mainframe Example
IBM is the most popular manufacturer of mainframes of many
companies and industries nowadays.
 Where it came from?
- The term originally
referred to the large
cabinets called
"main frames" that
housed the central
processing unit and
main memory of
early computers.
- Later, the term was used to distinguish high-end
commercial machines from less powerful units.
Mainframe Processes
 Mainframe Processes
- Mainframe uses special CPUs that as much bigger than a
normal processors. It has also additional processors which is
called SAP or System Assistance Processors.
- SAP main purpose is only for moving data from a million of
inputs to a million of outputs as much as possible.
- Modern mainframe nowadays which is the IBM z13 has 160
input-output cards that each of them has their own multiple
processors. Excluding SAP, there are almost 600 processors
from the i/o cards only of a single modern mainframe.
- The purpose of these massive processors is to ensure the
reliability of i/o.
Input Output Cards
 Examples of mainframe-based networks
- Mainframes are used by large organizations as their central
transaction processing system and to secure their Critical
Applications. Transaction processing in this context requires
high availability, security, performance, and responsiveness.
- For example, consumers expect to be able to use their credit
card 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They expect those
transactions to be safe and they don't expect to be left standing
at the checkout waiting for it to all happen. The mainframe is
specifically designed to be the "best of breed" for performing
massive concurrent transaction processing in the range of
hundreds of transaction per second.
 Some Mainframe-based Applications
Financial Apps - are often focused on the unique
requirements of an organization. Banks have thousands of
applications, all critical to revenue and business operations.
Medical Apps - Hospitals are usually assemblages of
independent, smaller clinics, doctor’s offices, and
diagnostic facilities. Their applications exist in the same
manner: deeply vertical and highly variable. This means
lots of applications with different levels of security and
reliability all sitting side-by-side exchanging confidential
medical data.
 Some Mainframe-based Applications
Messaging Systems - Another overlooked but critical application is
email and communication systems. Messaging systems need to
touch everyone as well as accept connections from the outside.
Mail systems are notorious dumping grounds for years of yet-to-
be-classified-but-probably-should-be-secret documents and
private conversation threads. Email systems are also often the
gateway to authentication with password resets landing in people
inboxes. Email messages often stand in as the primary identity on
the Internet. A compromised email account can be leverage point
for a variety of insidious scams, targeting both your customers and
internal employees.
 Modern Mainframes as Servers
First what is a Server?
Server - is a computer program or device that provides a service to
another computer program and its user, also known as the client.
- In the client/server programming model, a server program
awaits and fulfills requests from client programs, which may be
running in the same or other computers.
Basic Examples of Server
- An application server is a program in a computer in a distributed
network that provides the business logic for an application program.
- A Web server is a computer program that serves requested HTML
pages or files. In this case, a Web browser acts as the client.
Modern Mainframes as Servers
SUPERCOMPUTER