CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SPEED AND
COMPLEXITY
A. Super
Computer: Super Computer is a broad term for one of the fastest
currently available computer. Super computers are very expensive and are employed
for specialized applications that required immense amounts of mathematical
calculations (number crunching). For example, weather forecasting require a
super computer. Other uses of super computer is scientific simulations,
(animated) graphics, fluid dynamic
calculations, nuclear energy research electronic design, and analysis of
geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting). Super computer is an
extremely fast computer, which can perform hundreds of millions of instructions
per second. The best known manufacturer of super computer is Cray Research.
B. Mainframe Computer: Mainframe
computers are large systems wit the ability to serve a large organization. It
is capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
With modern systems, this kind of system can be accessed through terminals.
Several terminals and personal computers can be connected. Mainframe was a term
originally referring to the cabinet containing the central processor unit or
“mainframe” of a room-filling Stone Age batch machine. After the emergence of
smaller mini computer designs in the early 1970s, the traditional big iron
machines were described as mainframe computers and eventually just as
mainframes. Nowadays, a mainframe is a very large and expensive computer
capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands of users simultaneously. Te
main difference between a super computer and a mainframe is t hat a super
computer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as
possible, where as a mainframe uses its power to execute many programmes
concurrently. In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than super computers
because they support more simultaneous programs. But super computer can execute
a single program faster than a mainframe. The distinction between small
mainframe and mini computers is vague, depending really on how the manufacturer
wasnts to market its machines.
C. Mini
Computer: Mini
computer is reduced in size and has a less capacity when compared to
mainframe. In the past decade, the distinction between large mini computers and
small mainframes has blurred as has the distinction between small mini
computers and workstations. But in general, a mini computer is a
multiprocessing system capable of supporting up to 200 users simultaneously.
MICRO
COMPUTERS
As the name implies, micro computers
are the smallest type of computer developed for usage in our daily life. Of
course micro computers are small they have high computation speed and large
storage ability. The small nature of this computer types makes it easy to move
them about. Various types of micro computers do exist and include;
Personal Computer
Personal computer refers to a small
less expensive computer for an individual user. Personal computers first
appeared in the late 1970. one of he first and most popular personal computer
was the Apple II introduced in 1977 by Apple computer. During the late 1970s
and early 1980s new models and competing operating systems seemed to appear
daily. Then in 1981, IBM entered the fray with it first personal computer known
as the IBM PC. The IBM quickly became the personal computer of choice and most
other personal computer manufacturers fell by the wayside. The major features
of personal computers are that they are single-user systems are based on
microprocessors.
Types of personal computer
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 boars and wiring. The
chassis also contains slots for expansion boards. There are two favors of
chassis designs i.e. desktop model and tower models, but there are man
variations on these two basic types.
Tower Model:
This 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 major advantage of tower models is that there are fewer space
constraints, which makes installation of additional storage device easier.
Desktop Model: A
computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the
monitor sitting on top of the computer. Desktop models are broad and lows on
the other hand, tower model computers are narrow and tall. Because of
their shape, desktop computers are generally limited to three internal mass
storage devices. Desktop models designed to be very small are some times
referred to as slim line models.
Notebook Computer
An extremely lightweight personal
computer. They typically weigh less than 6 ponds and are small enough to fit
easily in a briefcase. The major difference between a notebook computer and a
personal computer is the display screen. Notebook computers use a variety
of techniques, known as flat-panel techniques to produce a light weight and
non-bulky display screen. This type of computer although small it has all the
features of bigger computers i.e. input, processing control, storage and
output.
Laptop computer also contain all the
features of bigger computer although small in size, i.e. input, processing
control, storage and output. They are small, portable computer small enough
that it can sit on your lap.
Sub-notebook computer:
A portable computer that is slighter
and smaller than a full-side note book computer typically, sub notebook
computers have smaller keyboard and screen but are otherwise equivalent to
notebook computers.
Palmtops
This type of computer has all the
feature of laptop and notebook computers. It is less smaller in size compare to
laptop and notebook computers. As the name implies it is placed on hand when in
use.
PDA Short for Personal
Digital Assistant, a hand held 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 computer most PDAs are
pen-based, using stylus rather than keyboard for input. This means that, they
also incorporate handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also react to
voice input by using voice recognition technologies. The field of PDA was
pioneered by Apple computer, which introduced the Newton message pad in 1993.
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