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Categories of Computers

There are four major categories of computers: 1) Personal computers (PCs), which include desktops, laptops, notebooks, and PDAs. PCs are generally used by individuals and small businesses. 2) Mainframe computers, which are large systems used by large organizations to process large amounts of data. 3) Minicomputers, which are more powerful than PCs and can support multiple users. They are used by mid-sized businesses. 4) Supercomputers, which are the most powerful and expensive computers used for scientific and military tasks requiring complex calculations.

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3K views

Categories of Computers

There are four major categories of computers: 1) Personal computers (PCs), which include desktops, laptops, notebooks, and PDAs. PCs are generally used by individuals and small businesses. 2) Mainframe computers, which are large systems used by large organizations to process large amounts of data. 3) Minicomputers, which are more powerful than PCs and can support multiple users. They are used by mid-sized businesses. 4) Supercomputers, which are the most powerful and expensive computers used for scientific and military tasks requiring complex calculations.

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medina759
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Instructor: Mr.

Alvin Medina Lessons

Categories of Computers
4 major categories
Computers are generally classified according to their size, speed, processing capabilities and price. (rapid change in technology make firm definitions of these categories difficult). The four major categories of computers are Personal Computers (Microcomputer), mainframe computers, and supercomputers. Category Physical Size Speed* Number of Online Users PC/Micro Hand, palmtop, 1 to 200 Million Usually single user PDA, Notebooks, instructions Per Desktop or Tower Second (MIPS) Mini Small cabinet to Hundreds of MIPS 2 to 4000 users several large cabinets Mainframe Partial to a full Hundreds of MIPS Hundreds to room of equipment thousands of users Super Full room of Thousands of Hundreds of users equipment MIPS Microcomputer: also Know as PC's 'Personal Computer'

minicomputers, General Price Range Hundred to several thousands $ $15,000 to several hundred thousands$ $300,000 to several million $ Several millions $ and up

have microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU)


Occupy small amount of space

serve single user but can be modified to accommodate more that one user come with Monitors,keyboard and other devices for input/output may be included or may be purchased separately. Used by small businesses, home users, schools etc... Speed 1 to 200 MIPS (millions of instructions per second) Cost Hundreds to Thousands of Dollars Manufactured by IBM, MAC, HP 5 groups of PC's 1. Workstations: used for intensive calculations or designs architecture and building, desktop publishing,any other types of applications that require a moderate amount of computing power. 2. Desktops: business people for word processing spreadsheet etc.
3. Server: Computers designed to support a computer network that allows users to share files, application software, and hardware. 4. Laptops: Portable computer

5. Notebook: portable computer 6. PDA Recent enhancement 'Personal Digital Assistant' references:: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/personal_computer.html Minicomputer: A Minicomputer is an obsolete term for a class of

multi-user computers, with its size ranging between a microcomputer and a mainframe. Typically, minicomputers have been stand-alone computers sold to small mid-size businesses for general business applications. more powerful that PC's can support a number of users performing different tasks (2 to 400 users) size range for small cabinet to several large cabinets speed hundreds of MIPs Cost - $15,000 to several hundred thousands Original developed for engineering calculations Today they are used by may business or organizations Most powerful is called superminicomputer manufactured by: DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) VAX, IBM-AS400, HP HP900

Mainframe: Mainframes are very large computers that are built

to perform complex and critical applications.


Handle hundreds to thousands of users speed hundreds of MIPS Cost - $300 thousand to Several millions They are used mainly by large organizations to manipulate large amounts of data such as census, industry and consumer statistics and financial transaction processing, corporations who design jets or study aerodynamics effects. Almost all mainframes have the ability to run multiple operating systems and can operate as various virtual machines. They are designed to keep running with as little interruption as possible. Require a specialized environment and separate AC manufactured by IBM

Supercomputer: Most Powerful category of computers and most expensive designed to perform complex calculation at faster speeds than other computers

They have enormous storage capacities and are up to ten times faster than a normal computer. Can support hundred of users speed of Hundreds of MIPS Cost several million $ and UP used for high-speed, number-crunching military and scientific task, large oil companies, weather forecasting, engineering designs, testing space explorations, and any other job that requires highspeed and long complex calculation. Most commonly known brand CRAY

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