1.1.8 Types of computer & 1.1.8.2 Classification of Computers on the basis of Size.ppt

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
ON THE BASIS OF SIZE
By
Mr. V. VEERANAN
M.Sc. Computer Science., Dip. in Yoga.,
Government Arts College, Melur – 625 106.

1.1.8 Types of computer
1.1.8.2 Classification of Computers
on the basis of Size
Mr. V.Veeranan, M.Sc. Computer Science, Dip. in Yoga

Supercomputers
Supercomputer – a powerful computer that can process large
amounts of data and do a great amount of computation very quickly.
Supercomputers are used for areas related to:
Science
Engineering
Education
Defence
Aerospace

Supercomputers
Supercomputers are useful for applications involving very large
databases or that require a great amount of computation. A
supercomputer is a computer that performs at or near
the highest operational rate for computers.
Traditionally, supercomputers have been used for scientific and
engineering applications that must handle massive databases, do a
great amount of computation or both. Advances like multicore processors
and general-purpose graphics processing units have enabled powerful
machines that could be called desktop supercomputers or GPU
supercomputers.

Supercomputers
By definition, a supercomputer is exceptional in terms of performance. At any time,
there are a few well-publicized supercomputers that operate at extremely high
speeds relative to all other computers. The term supercomputer is sometimes
applied to far slower -- but still impressively fast -- computers.
Supercomputers are used for complex tasks, such as:
● Weather forecasting
● Climate research
● Scientific simulation
● Oil and gas exploration
● Quantum mechanics
● Cryptanalysis

Mainframe computers
Mainframe computer – a high-performance computer used for
large information processing jobs.
Mainframe computers are primarily used in :
Institutions Research
Academics Health care
Libraries Large businesses
Financial institutions Stock brokerage firms
Insurance agencies

Mainframe computers
Mainframe computers are useful for tasks related to:
Census taking Industry and consumer
statistics
Enterprise resource
planning
Transaction processing
e-business and e-
commerce

Analog computers

Minicomputers
Minicomputer – a mid-range computer that is
intermediate in size, power, speed, storage capacity, etc.,
between a mainframe and a microcomputer.
Minicomputers are used by small organizations.
“Minicomputer” is a term that is no longer used
much. In recent years, minicomputers are often referred to
as small or midsize servers (a server is a central computer
that provides information to other computers).

Mini Computers

Workstation
A high-performance computer system that is
basically designed for a single user and has advanced
graphics capabilities, large storage capacity, and a
powerful central processing unit. A workstation is more
capable than a personal computer (PC) but is less
advanced than a server (which can manage a large
network of peripheral PCs or workstations and handle
immense data-processing and reporting tasks)
A desktop computer is a personal computing device
designed to fit on top of a typical office desk.

Workstation
It houses the physical hardware that makes a
computer run and connects to input devices such as the
monitor, keyboard and mouse users interact with.
Desktop computers are commonly used in the enterprise,
as well as in consumer use cases such as gaming. In the
enterprise, they are important because they are the main
means for many users to do their jobs.

Microcomputer
Microcomputer an electronic device with a microprocessor as its
central processing unit (CPU). Microcomputer was formerly a commonly used
term for personal computers, particularly any of a class of small digital
computers whose CPU is contained on a single integrated semiconductor chip.
Thus, a microcomputer uses a single microprocessor for its CPU, which
performs all logic and arithmetic operations. The system also contains a number
of associated semiconductor chips that serve as the main memory for storing
program instructions and data and as interfaces for exchanging data of this sort
with peripheral devices (e.g., keyboard, video display, and printer) and auxiliary
storage units.
The earliest microcomputers marketed in the mid-1970s contained a
single chip on which all CPU, memory, and interface circuits were integrated.

Microcomputer
As large-scale integration and then very-large-scale integration
progressively increased the number of transistors that could be placed on one
semiconductor chip, so the processing capacity of microcomputers using such
single chips grew commensurately.
During the 1980s microcomputers came to be used widely in other
applications besides electronic game systems and other relatively simple
computer-based recreations.
Increasingly powerful microcomputers began to be used in personal
computer systems and workstations, for instance. High-performance
microcomputer systems began to be used widely in business, in engineering, in
―smart‖ or intelligent machines employed in the factory and office, and in
military electronics systems.

Desktop computer
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.

Laptop Computer
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.

Laptop Computer
Laptops are folded shut for transportation,
and thus are suitable for mobile use. They are so
named because they can be practically placed on a
person's lap when 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.

Palmtop Computer
A Palmtop PC was an approximately pocket
calculator-sized, battery-powered computer compatible
with the IBM Personal Computer in a horizontal
clamshell design with integrated keyboard and
display. It could be used like a subnotebook, but was
light enough to be comfortably used handheld as well.
Most Palmtop PCs were small enough to be stored in a
user's shirt or jacket pocket.

Palmtop Computer
Palmtop PCs distinguish from other palmtop computers by
using a mostly IBMcompatible PC architecture and BIOS as well as
an Intel-compatible x86 processor. All such devices were DOS-
based, with DOS stored in ROM. While many Palmtop PCs came
with a number of PDA and office applications pre-installed in ROM,
most of them could also run generic, off-the-shelf PC software with
no or little modifications. Some could also run other operating
systems such as GEOS, Windows 1.0-3.0 (in Real mode only), or
MINIX 2.0.

1.1.8 Types of computer & 1.1.8.2 Classification of Computers on the basis of Size.ppt

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to 1.1.8 Types of computer & 1.1.8.2 Classification of Computers on the basis of Size.ppt

Similar to 1.1.8 Types of computer & 1.1.8.2 Classification of Computers on the basis of Size.ppt (20)

More from CUO VEERANAN VEERANAN

More from CUO VEERANAN VEERANAN (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

1.1.8 Types of computer & 1.1.8.2 Classification of Computers on the basis of Size.ppt