TYPES OF

COMPUTER
THE FOUR BASIC
TYPE OF COMPUTER

OCTOBER
2022
FOUR BASIC TYPES OF COMPUTER

• MINI COMPUTER

• MICRO COMPUTER

• PERSONAL COMPUTER

• SUPER COMPUTER

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 MICROCUMPUT
ER
• A microcomputer is a complete
computer on a small scale, designed for
use by one person at a time. An
antiquated term, a microcomputer is now
primarily called a personal computer (PC),
or a device based on a single-chip
microprocessor. Common microcomputers
include laptops and desktops.

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 MINI COMPUTER
• A minicomputer is a type of
computer that possesses most of
the features and capabilities of a
large computer but is smaller in
physical size.
A minicomputer fills the space
between the mainframe and
microcomputer, and is smaller than
the former but larger than the latter.
Minicomputers are mainly used as
small or mid-range servers
operating business and scientific
applications. However, the use of
the term minicomputer has
diminished and has merged with
servers.
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A minicomputer may also be called
a mid-range computer.
PERSONAL COMPUTER

• A personal computer (PC) is a multi-

purpose microcomputer whose size,
capabilities, and price make it feasible for
individual use.[1] Personal computers are
intended to be operated directly by an 
end user, rather than by a computer expert
or technician. Unlike large, costly 
minicomputers and mainframes, 
time-sharing by many people at the same
time is not used with personal computers.
Primarily in the late 1970s and 1980s, the
term home computer was also used.

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 SUPERCUMPUTE
R
• A supercomputer is a computer with a
high level of performance as compared to
a general-purpose computer. The
performance of a supercomputer is
commonly measured in floating-point
 operations per second (FLOPS) instead
of million instructions per second (MIPS).
Since 2017, there have existed
supercomputers which can perform over
1017 FLOPS (a hundred quadrillion FLOPS,
100 petaFLOPS or 100 PFLOPS).

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 LAPTOP
• A laptop, laptop computer,
or notebook computer is a small,
portable personal computer (PC) with a
screen and alphanumeric keyboard.
Laptops typically have a clam shell 
form factor with the screen mounted on
the inside of the upper lid and the
keyboard on the inside of the lower lid,
although 2-in-1 PCs with a detachable 
keyboard are often marketed as laptops
or as having a "laptop mode".[1][2] Laptops
are folded shut for transportation, and
thus are suitable for mobile use.[3] They
are so named because they can be
practically placed on a person's lap when
Email:
being used. Today, laptops are used in a
variety of settings, such as at work, in
education, for playing games, 
web browsing, for personal multimedia,
and for general home computer use.
 TABLET
• A tablet is a wireless, portable personal
computer with a touchscreen interface.
The tablet form factor is typically smaller
than a notebook computer, but larger than
a smartphone.

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TYPES OF COMPUTING DEVICES

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DESKTOP
COMPUTER

• A desktop computer’s uses are exactly the same As those of

a laptop except that a desktop is not a mobile. A desktop
computer is a personal computer designed for regular use
at a single location on or near a desk due to its size and power
requirements. The most common configuration has a case that
houses the power supply, motherboard (a printed circuit board 
with a microprocessor as the central processing unit, memory, 
bus, certain peripherals and other electronic components), 
disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives, solid state
drives, optical disc drives, and in early models a floppy disk
drive); a keyboard and mouse for input; and a computer monitor, 
speakers, and, often, a printer for output. The case may be
oriented horizontally or vertically and placed either underneath,
beside, or on top of a desk.
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SMARTPHONES

Smartphones are better than desktops at task that require a very mobile
device, like taking photos, setting alarms, navigating the roads, making
Calls and sending and receiving short messages. A smartphone is a 
portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and 
computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature
phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile
operating systems, which facilitate wider software, internet (including 
web browsing over mobile broadband), and multimedia functionality
(including music, video, cameras, and gaming), alongside core phone
functions such as voice calls and text messaging. Smartphones typically
contain a number of metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) integrated
circuit (IC) chips, include various sensors that can be leveraged by pre-
included and third-party software (such as a magnetometer, proximity
sensors, barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer and more), and support 
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satellite navigation).
EMBEDDED
COMPUTERS

Embedded devices are devices designed for a fixed purpose, whether

Is that purpose is to wake you up in the morning, control the
Temperature of the air conditioning or refrigerator, or any navigation
System. An embedded computer, which is an integral component of
most embedded systems, is a combination of hardware and
software that is designated to perform a highly specific function.
For example, the type of embedded computer in a washing machine
will not be the same as the embedded computer in a Nikon camera.

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MAINFRAME

A mainframe is a powerful computer that has a high processing power

and performance. It is big in size and can be used by several people
At the same time.

It is used primarily by large organizations for critical task such as:

• Bulk data processing and storing of vast amounts of data, for
Example census

• it is also used in banks, company head officers and IT organizations.

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SERVER

A server is a computer that has really powerful processor, large hard

Drives and plenty of memory power.

Servers are computer that provide (for example, web pages). A

Server can be used in different environments, such as:
• Offices and schools where data or a printer needs to be shared
Amongst many people.

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WORKSTATION

A workstation is a type of computer with high-resolution graphics

Screen and usually has a mass storage device, such as a disk
Drive.

It is used to perform special task, such as:

• Precision drawings

• Computer-aided design(CAD), 3D graphics and software

Development

• It can also be used in different fields, such as engineering or

Medicine research

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DESKTOP

A desktop computer is not design to be carried as it is made of

Separate components. These computers are designed to be set up
In a permanent location on a desk or table.

Desktop are used in a variety of environment, such as:

• Schools: It helps school learners to gain knowledge by doing
Research for projects or assignment.

• Entertainment: You can watch videos, listen to music, or stream

videos

• Communication: Users can use desktop to make phone calls, send

Emails, and use instant messaging just by having a proper internet
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