TYPES OF

COMPUTERS
TYPES OF
COMPUTERS
• A computer is a device that
transforms data into meaningful
information. It processes the input
according to the set of instructions
provided to it by the user and gives
the desired output. Computers are of
various types and they can be
categorized in two ways on the
basis of size and on the basis of data
handling capabilities.
There are two bases on which we can define the types of
computers. We will discuss the type of computers on the
basis of size and data handling capabilities. We will
discuss each type of computer in detail. Let’s see first
what are the types of computers.
•Super Computer
•Mainframe computer
•Mini Computer
•Workstation Computer
•Personal Computer (PC)
•Server Computer
•Analog Computer
•Digital Computer
•Hybrid Computer
•Tablets and Smartphone
Now, we are going to discuss each of them in detail.
SUPERCOMPUTER
• When we talk about speed, then the first name
that comes to mind when thinking of computers
is supercomputers. They are the biggest and
fastest computers (in terms of speed of
processing data). Supercomputers are designed
such that they can process a huge amount of
data, like processing trillions of instructions or
data just in a second. This is because of the
thousands of interconnected processors in
supercomputers. It is basically used in scientific
and engineering applications such as weather
forecasting, scientific simulations, and nuclear
energy research. It was first developed by Roger
Cray in 1976.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
SUPERCOMPUTERS
SUPERCOMPUTERS ARE THE COMPUTERS THAT ARE THE FASTEST AND THEY
ARE ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE.
IT CAN CALCULATE UP TO TEN TRILLION INDIVIDUAL CALCULATIONS PER
SECOND, THIS IS ALSO THE REASON WHICH MAKES IT EVEN FASTER.
IT IS USED IN THE STOCK MARKET OR BIG ORGANIZATIONS FOR MANAGING
THE ONLINE CURRENCY WORLD SUCH AS BITCOIN ETC.
IT IS USED IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AREAS FOR ANALYZING DATA OBTAINED
FROM EXPLORING THE SOLAR SYSTEM, SATELLITES, ETC.
MAINFRAME
COMPUTER
• Mainframe computers are designed in such
a way that they can support hundreds or
thousands of users at the same time. It also
supports multiple programs simultaneously.
So, they can execute different processes
simultaneously. All these features make the
mainframe computer ideal for big
organizations like banking, telecom
sectors, etc., which process a high volume
of data in general.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
MAINFRAME
COMPUTERS
IT IS ALSO AN EXPENSIVE OR COSTLY COMPUTER.
IT HAS HIGH STORAGE CAPACITY AND GREAT
PERFORMANCE.
IT CAN PROCESS A HUGE AMOUNT OF DATA (LIKE DATA
INVOLVED IN THE BANKING SECTOR) VERY QUICKLY.
IT RUNS SMOOTHLY FOR A LONG TIME AND HAS A LONG
MINICOMPUTER
• Minicomputer is a medium size
multiprocessing computer. In this type of
computer, there are two or more
processors, and it supports 4 to 200 users at
one time. Minicomputer is similar to
Microcontroller. Minicomputers are used in
places like institutes or departments for
different work like billing, accounting,
inventory management, etc. It is smaller
than a mainframe computer but larger in
comparison to the microcomputer.
CHARACTERISTI
CS OF
MINICOMPUTER
ITS WEIGHT IS LOW.
BECAUSE OF ITS LOW WEIGHT, IT IS EASY
TO CARRY ANYWHERE.
LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A MAINFRAME
COMPUTER.
WORKSTATION
COMPUTER
• A workstation computer is designed
for technical or scientific
applications. It consists of a fast
microprocessor, with a large amount
of RAM and a high-speed graphic
adapter. It is a single-user computer.
It is generally used to perform a
specific task with great accuracy.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
WORKSTATION
COMPUTER
IT IS EXPENSIVE OR HIGH IN COST.
THEY ARE EXCLUSIVELY MADE FOR COMPLEX WORK
PURPOSES.
IT PROVIDES LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY, BETTER
GRAPHICS, AND A MORE POWERFUL CPU WHEN
COMPARED TO A PC.
PERSONAL COMPUTER
(PC)
• Personal Computers is also known as a
microcomputer. It is basically a general-
purpose computer designed for individual
use. It consists of a microprocessor as a
central processing unit(CPU), memory,
input unit, and output unit. This kind of
computer is suitable for personal work such
as making an assignment, watching a
movie, or at the office for office work, etc.
For example, Laptops and desktop
computers.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PERSONAL COMPUTER
(PC)
IN THIS LIMITED NUMBER OF SOFTWARE
CAN BE USED.
IT IS THE SMALLEST IN SIZE.
IT IS DESIGNED FOR PERSONAL USE.
SERVER COMPUTER
• Server Computers are computers that are
combined data and programs. Electronic
data and applications are stored and shared
in the server computer. The working of a
server computer is that it does not solve a
bigger problem like a supercomputer but it
solves many smaller similar ones.
Examples of server computer are like
Wikipedia, as when users put a request for
any page, it finds what the user is looking
for and sends it to the user.
ANALOG
COMPUTER
• Analog Computers are particularly designed to
process analog data. Continuous data that
changes continuously and cannot have discrete
values are called analog data. So, an analog
computer is used where we don’t need exact
values or need approximate values such as
speed, temperature, pressure, etc. It can directly
accept the data from the measuring device
without first converting it into numbers and
codes. It measures the continuous changes in
physical quantity. It gives output as a reading on
a dial or scale. For example speedometer,
mercury thermometer, etc.
DIGITAL
COMPUTER
• Digital computers are designed in such a way
that they can easily perform calculations and
logical operations at high speed. It takes raw
data as input and processes it with programs
stored in its memory to produce the final output.
It only understands the binary input 0 and 1, so
the raw input data is converted to 0 and 1 by the
computer and then it is processed by the
computer to produce the result or final output.
All modern computers, like laptops, desktops
including smartphones are digital computers.
HYBRID COMPUTER
• As the name suggests hybrid, which means made by
combining two different things. Similarly, the hybrid
computer is a combination of both analog and digital
computers. Hybrid computers are fast like analog
computers and have memory and accuracy like digital
computers. So, it has the ability to process both
continuous and discrete data. For working when it
accepts analog signals as input then it converts them
into digital form before processing the input data. So,
it is widely used in specialized applications where
both analog and digital data are required to be
processed. A processor which is used in petrol pumps
that converts the measurements of fuel flow into
quantity and price is an example of a hybrid
computer.
TABLET AND
SMARTPHONES
• Tablets and Smartphones are the types of
computers that are pocket friendly and
easy to carry is these are handy. This is
one of the best use of modern technology.
These devices have better hardware
capabilities, extensive operating systems,
and better multimedia functionality.
smartphones and tablets contain a
number of sensors and are also able to
provide wireless communication protocols.