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classification of comp 2018

Computer studies

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12 views2 pages

classification of comp 2018

Computer studies

Uploaded by

thabisoraymondndoma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS

A computer consists of a processor, storage, input and output units.


However, there are different types of computers, Just as there are different types of radio sets.
The cost of the radio set depends on the sound quality and power, and other features such as
dubbing recording and playback.

Computers are generally classified according to the following features:


 Physical size
 Speed of processing
 Storage capacity
 Number of users
 Area of use or purpose for use

They can be further divided into two main groups, special-purpose computers and general-
purpose computers.

A computer designed to do a specific job is called a special purpose computer.


A computer designed to do many kinds of jobs Is called a general-purpose computer.

General-purpose computers are further classified based on their size. Computer size refers to
physical size and computing power. The three types of computer classifications based on size
are:
 microcomputers (small)
 minicomputers (medium)
 mainframe computers (Large)
All computers, no matter how small or large, have the same fundamental functions - input,
processing, storage and output.
A single-user computer is used by one user at a time. A multi-user computer supports
a number of terminals.
A terminal consists of a keyboard and a monitor. It has no processing capability.

Microcomputers
The word microcomputer means 'small computer'. Since microcomputers were originally
designed for personal use, they are also referred to as personal computers or Pes. Due to
advances in hardware technology, powerful Pes have developed rapidly since the 19805. The
essential characteristics of these microcomputers are:
. small size and low cost
. one user
. easy to use
. low computing power
. commonly used for personal applications
There are different types of microcomputers. Popular versions Indude the Dell PC, IBM PC
and Apple Madntosh (see Fig. 1.5.4). Programs written for PCs cannot run on Apple
Macintoshes, and vice versa, because they use different operating systems.

Microcomputers are the computers that you are most likely to encounter at home or in school
or college. Different types include Apples, Acorns and PCs.

1
Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are small, hand-held devices which you can use to organise
a busy schedule. Their main advantage over a small PC, such as a laptop, is their small size.
Most of them are little bigger than a diary or large calculator:
Palmtop computers
These are small computers that usually contain a limited number of applications. Their main
advantage is their size which allows them to be carried around in a briefcase or even
'"'
a pocket. They are useful mainly to occasional computer users such as sales reps who can
organise their visits and can enter customers' orders.
Palm top computers can also be attached to mobile phones enabling them to receive and
send e-mail.

Laptop and notebook computers


These computers are bigger than PDAs and palmtops and have a set of facilities almost
identical to the larger PCs. They normally come with a battery, which needs to be charged up
before the computer can be used away from the power supply. They also have LCDs (liquid
crystal displays) instead of the conventional VDU. LCDs are not as bright as conventional
VDUs but they are necessary because the whole unit needs to be kept small and power
consumption minimized.

Tablet This is used for entering drawings into the computer. A tablet or a graphics pad is a flat
rectangular pad between 6 and 30 inches wide (see Fig. 1.2.29). Paper is placed on the pad
and the user can trace the drawings with a stylus. This data is displayed on the monitor. This
form of input is commonly used in computer aided design and drawing.
Minicomputer:
A minicomputer is a medium-sized computer. Its computing power lies between that of a
microcomputer and a mainframe computer. These machines are also called 'minis' for short.
Some examples of minicomputers are: IBM 36, HP 9000, DRS 6000, etc. Essential
characteristics of minicomputers are:
 Bigger in size than PCs;
 More than one user (usually 10 to 60 users);
 Difficult to use;
 More computing power than PCs; and . commonly used by medium-sized
business organizations, colleges, libraries and banks.
Most small banks uses a minicomputer for their banking operations
Mainframe
A mainframe computer or mainframe for short is a large, fast and expensive computer. It is
only used by large business organizations, universities and government departments. These
are costlier than the minicomputers. Some examples are IBM 3091, ICL 39, VAX9000, etc.
Mainframes cost millions of dollars. Essential features of mainframes are:
 bigger in size than minicomputers
 support a few hundred users simultaneously
 difficult to use
 more computing power than minicomputers
 Have to be kept in a special air-conditioned room
 Commonly used by big business organizations and government departments

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