This presentation looks at the categorization of computers

1. Types of computers
SECTION 1: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FUNDAMENTALS

2. Objectives
 Define the following terms:
 Supercomputer, Mainframe, Microcomputer, Minicomputer, Server,
Workstations, Stand Alone
 Identify, sort and briefly explain the types of Computers based on storage
and processing capacity
 Describe the characteristics/functions of each type of computer
 Briefly discuss where each type of computer is applicable

3. What is a computer?
 A computer is a machine that can be programmed to manipulate symbols.
 Its principal characteristics are:
 It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.
 It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).
 It can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data.
 All computers must be able to gather and process data, store, disseminate
and display information

5. types of computers
 Computers are categorized based on their storage capacity, processing
power, cost and uses.
 There are Eight main Categories:
 Mobile computers
 Microcomputers
 Workstation
 Minicomputers
 Server
 Mainframe Computers
 Supercomputers
 Special-Purpose Computer

6. Mobile computers
 They are single user computers.
 They are super small and mobile.
 They are meant to be carried around and taken from place to place.

7. Microcomputers
 They are single user computers.
 They run on microprocessors in their central processing units.
 They are much, much cheaper than supercomputers, mainframe
computers and even minicomputers.
 They posses a smaller storage capacity and have a slower processing
speed than supercomputers, mainframe computers.
 They’re meant for everyday uses that are more practical than professional.

8. Workstations
 It is a desktop computer with a more powerful processor, additional
memory and enhanced capabilities
 It performs a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics or game
development.
 It may use multiple screens to enhance their viewing.
 It is a applicable in the use of engineering applications
 (CAD/CAM),
 desktop publishing,
 software development,
 other types of applications that require a moderate amount of computing
power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.

9. Workstations
 Workstations generally come with:
 a large, high-resolution graphics screen,
 large amounts of RAM,
 built-in network support,
 and a graphical user interface.
 Most have a mass storage device such as a disk drive,
 Special types of workstations, called a diskless workstation, comes without
a disk drive.
 The most common operating systems for them are UNIX and Windows NT.
 Workstations are single-user computers.
 Workstations are typically linked together to form a local-area network, but
they can also be used as stand-alone systems.

10. Minicomputers
 A minicomputer is a multiprocessing machine that can support up to
about 200 users at the same time.
 It’s like a less powerful mainframe computer, and is about the size of a
refrigerator.
 A server can be an example of a minicomputer, but not all servers are
minicomputers.
 Due to the ways microcomputers have excelled in processing power even
beyond minicomputers, and at a much smaller size, minicomputers have
become pretty much obsolete.
 Some examples: K-202, Texas Instrument TI-990, SDS-92, IBM Midrange
computers

11. Servers
 A computer or device on a network that manages network resources.
 There are many different types of servers.
 File server: a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user
on the network can store files on the server.
 Print server: a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network
server is a computer that manages network traffic.
 Database server: a computer system that processes database queries.
 Web server: are computers that deliver (serves up) Web pages.

12. Mainframe
 They are multi-user computers
 They can handle more than 1000 (>1000) users at a time.
 They are huge, towering machines with lots of processing power.
 Mainframe computers are mostly used by corporations, government
agencies, and banks – organizations that need a way to store large
quantities of information such as censuses.
 The processing capabilities of mainframe computers are measured in MIPS,
or millions of instructions per second.
 Some examples: Fujitsu’s ICL VME, Hitachi’s Z800

13. Supercomputers
 It’s a term used to describe computers that have the most capable processing
power of its time.
 Today, modern supercomputers run hundreds of thousands of processors,
capable of computing quadrillions of calculations in just a few nanoseconds.
 They are used in computational science to calculate and carry out a plethora of
complex tasks.
 Modeling molecular structures, weather forecasting, and the field of quantum
mechanics, among others, rely on supercomputers and their intense
processing power to solve their equations.
 The processing capabilities of Supercomputers are measured in FLOPS, or
floating point operations per seconds.
 Some prominent examples of supercomputers include the Jaguar, Nebulae,
Roadrunner, Kraken, Jugene, Pleiades and the Tianhe-2

14. Special-purpose Computers
 Special-purpose computers refer to computers that are built to perform specific tasks,
such as automatic teller machines or washing machines.
 Special-purpose computers also include systems to control military planes, boats,
surveillance equipment and other defense-oriented applications.
 They utilize unique operating systems that are tailored to performing their specific
functions.
 Special-purpose computers possess a logical structure and data input-output devices
that are built to solve strictly-defined issues in an efficient manner.

15. Special-purpose Computers
 Special-purpose computers utilize embedded systems or other unique operating
platforms to work independently of other functions.
 Other examples of special purpose computers include traffic-light control systems,
weather-forecasting simulators, oil-exploration systems and traffic-control computers.
 These computer systems share similar features, but their design aims to fulfill a distinct
role.
 They perform a singular function, allowing them to eliminate excess memory and the
amount of information that can be submitted into it.
 This allows special-purpose computers to operate at heightened speeds to complete
their task.

16. Hierarchy of
computer types
Computer
Single User
Workstations
Personal/micro-
Computer
Desktop
Game consoles
Smart TVs
Mobile Computers
Laptops
Netbooks
Tablets
Handheld Game Console
Calculators
Portable media players
Cellphones and
smartphones
Wearables
Multi-user
Minicomputer
Mainframe
Servers
Supercomputer
Special Computers Embedded Computers