Different Types

of Computers
 Analog
Computers:
ANALOG COMPUTER CAN ONLY
PERFORM SEVERAL
MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS
SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Digital Computers:
• They use digital circuits
and are designed to
operate on two states,
namely bits 0 and 1
Hybrid Computers:
• These computers are a
combination of both digital and
analog computers. In this type
of computers, the digital
segments perform process
control by conversion of analog
signals to digital ones.
Computers are categorized based
on the operational principle as
• analog,
• digital and
• hybrid computers.
Classification of
Computers
The following are the classification of the different types
of computers based on their sizes and functionalities:
• Mainframe Computers:
• Minicomputers: I
• Servers:
• Supercomputers:
• Microcomputers:
MAIN FRAME
• Large organizations use mainframes for
highly critical applications such as bulk
data processing and ERP (Enterprise
Resource Planning). Most of the
mainframe computers have the
capacities to host multiple operating
systems and operate as a number of
virtual machines and can substitute for
several small servers
Minicomputers: • In terms of size and processing
capacity, minicomputers lie in
between mainframes and
microcomputers.
Minicomputers are also called
mid-range systems or
workstations. The term began to
be popularly used in the 1960s
to refer to relatively smaller
third generation computers.
Servers: • They are computers designed
to provide services to client
machines in a computer
network. They have larger
storage capacities and powerful
processors.
 Supercomputers:
• The highly calculation-intensive
tasks can be effectively
performed by means of
supercomputers. Quantum
physics, mechanics, weather
forecasting, molecular theory are
best studied by means of
supercomputers. Their ability of
parallel processing and their
well-designed 43 memory
hierarchy give the
supercomputers, large
transaction processing powers
 Microcomputers:
• A computer with a microprocessor and its
central processing unit it is known as a
microcomputer. They do not occupy space
as much as mainframes do. When
supplemented with a keyboard and a
mouse, microcomputers can be called
personal computers. A monitor, a keyboard
and other similar input output devices,
computer memory in the form of RAM and
a power supply unit come packaged in a
microcomputer. These computers can fit on
desks or tables and prove to be the best
choice for single-user tasks.
Components of Computer
• HARDWARE- refers to the computer's tangible
components or delivery systems that store and run the
written instructions provided by the software.
• SOFTWARE - generic term used to refer to applications,
scripts and programs that run on a device.
• PEOPLE WARE- peopleware refers to the role people
play in technology and the development of hardware or
software.
PERSONAL COMPUTER
SUBTITLE
PERSONAL COMPUTER
• A personal computer (PC) is a microcomputer
designed for use by one person at a time.
• Prior to the PC, computers were designed for --
and only affordable for -- companies that
attached terminals for multiple users to a single
large mainframe computer whose resources
were shared among all users.
Personal computers come in different forms such as
desktops, laptops and personal digital assistants
Desktops
• A desktop is intended to be used on a
single location. The spare parts of a
desktop computer are readily available at
relatively lower costs.
Laptops:
• Similar in operation to desktops, laptop
computers are miniaturized and optimized
for mobile use. Laptops run on a single
battery or an external adapter that charges
the computer batteries.
Net books:
• They fall in the category of laptops, but are
inexpensive and relatively smaller in size.
They had a smaller feature set and lesser
capacities in comparison to regular
laptops, at the time they came into the
market.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs):
• It is a handheld computer and popularly known
as a palmtop. It has a touch screen and a
memory card for storage of data. PDAs can also
be used as portable audio players, web
browsers and smart phones. Most of them can
access the Internet by means of Bluetooth or
Wi-Fi communication.
Tablet Computers:
• Tablets are mobile computers that are very
handy to use. They use the touch screen
technology. Tablets come with an onscreen
keyboard or use a stylus or a digital pen.
Apple's iPod redefined the class of tablet
computers.
Wearable Computers:
• A record-setting step in the evolution of computers was the
creation of wearable computers. These computers can be
worn on the body and are frequently used in the study of
behavior modeling and human health. Military and health
professionals have incorporated wearable computers into
their daily routine, as a part of such studies. When the users'
hands and sensory organs are engaged in other activities,
wearable computers are of great help in tracking human
actions. Wearable computers do not have to be turned on
and off and remain in operation without user intervention.
• 1. These are mobile computers that are very handy to use.
• 2. They are computers designed to provide services to client machines in a computer
network.
• 3. They are also called mid-range systems or workstations.
• 4. A computer with a microprocessor and its central processing unit.
• 5. They fall in the category of laptops, but are inexpensive and relatively smaller in size.
• 6. A type of computer which is intended be used on a single location.
• 7. They use digital circuits and are designed to operate on two states, namely bits 0 and
1.
• 8. Computers that have the capacities to host multiple operating systems and operate
as a number of virtual machines and can substitute for several small servers.
• 9. It is a handheld computer and popularly known as a palmtop.
• 10.These computers can be worn on the body and are often used in the study of
behavior modeling and human health.