TYPES OF COMPUTER

TYPES OF COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

•      Computer is the electronic device which is capable of accepting data manipulating them, storing them and gives out the results as output, and also used in communications.

•      Computer are available in different shapes, size and weight, due to these, computer can perform different sort of jobs.

•      They can also be classified in different ways.

Types of Computer in term of Uses

•      In term of uses, computer can be classified in to two categories.

•      Special purpose Computers

•      General purpose Computers

Special purpose Computers

•      Special purpose computers are designed to solve a specific problem. The computer program for solving the problem is built right into the computer.

•      For example the cruise control computer, is a special purpose computer. It is found in the automobiles and used for adjusting the accelerator so as to maintain the automobile at the prescribed constant speed.

•      Also special purpose computer used to obtain patient diagnostic information

•      Systems with a specific purpose and a certain result

•      Uses include:

•      Industrial machines

•      Robotic equipment

•      Automobiles

•      Video game consoles

•      Home appliances

•      Minimal or no user interaction is required.

General purpose Computer

•      General purpose computer is a computer that has capabilities to perform a wide range of tasks. It performs with reasonable degrees efficiency both scientific and business applications.

•      Most digital computers are general purpose computers and it is mainly such computers that are used in business and commercial data processing.

TYPES OF COMPUTER IN TERM OF TECHNOLOGY

In term of technology Computer can be classified into three categories.

•      Analog computers

•      Digital computers

•      Hybrid computers

 

Analog computer

Analog computer measures continuous types of data and uses a physical quantity.

Such as...

•      Electric current to represent and process the data.

•      A household thermostat and electricity meter.

•      Fire detections (heat and smoke sensor)

Digital computer

A digital computer represents data in the form of binary numbers and processes data using the standard arithmetic operations.

•      The hand calculator

•      Electronic score board

•      Personal digital Assistant (PDA)

•      Laptop

Hybrid computer

A computer that processes both analog and digital data

•      Personal Computer

•      ATM machines

•      Electronic Fuel pump

Types of computer based on size and processing power

•      Super computer

–     The fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.

•      Mainframe computer

–     A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously.

•      Minicomputer

•      In terms of size and processing capacity, minicomputers lie in between mainframes and microcomputers. Minicomputers are also called mid-range systems or workstations. The term began to be popularly used in the 1960s to refer to relatively smaller third generation computers

•      Microcomputer:

•       is generally synonymous with personal computer (PC), or a computer that depends on a microprocessor. Microcomputers are designed to be used by individuals, whether in the form of PCs, or notebook computers.

•      A microcomputer contains a central processing unit (CPU) on a microchip (the microprocessor), a memory system (typically read-only memory and random access memory), a bus system and I/O ports, typically housed in a motherboard.

 

Types of microcomputer

•      Desktop Computers:

A desktop computer is intended to be used on a single location. The spare parts of a desktop computer are readily available at relatively lower costs. Power consumption is not as critical as that in laptops. Desktop computers are widely popular for daily use in the workplace and households.

•      Laptops:

 Similar in operation to desktop computers, laptop computers are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use. Laptops run on a single battery or an external adapter that charges the computer batteries

•      Netbooks:

 They fall in the category of laptops, but are inexpensive and relatively smaller in size. They had a smaller feature set and lesser capacities in comparison to regular laptops, at the time they came into the market

•      Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs):

 It is a handheld computer and popularly known as a palmtop. It has a touch screen and a memory card for storage of data. PDAs can also be used as portable audio players, web browsers and smartphones. Most of them can access the Internet by means of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication.

•      Tablets:

Tablets are mobile computers that are very handy to use. They use the touch screen technology. Tablets come with an onscreen keyboard or use a stylus or a digital pen. Apple's iPad redefined the class of tablets.