Published by: Sujan
Published date: 18 Jun 2021
Depending upon the size, the classification of computers is done in 4 types:
1. Super Computer
2. Mainframe Computer
3. Mini Computer
4. Micro Computer
Super Computers are the fastest and the most expensive computers. It has a high-level computing performance and is also 10 times faster as compared to other general-purpose computers. It has a large memory and storage capacity. They are designed to solve large and complex problems in fractions of seconds. These computers contain multiple CPUs for multiple computations of tasks at a time known as the parallel processing.
Supercomputers are used in the computer field such as for weather forecasting, also in the airplane industry, petroleum industry, automobile industry, Digital film rendering, encrypting and decrypting information, and scientific computing and research.
Fig: Super Computer
It was developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly in the year of 1951. A mainframe computer is a high-performance general-purpose computer designed for large data processing. It is a combination of RAM and many processors. It acts as a central processing unit for many workstations and terminals connected with it as they have centrally located CPU. That means, they are accessed through one or more terminals that consist of other devices but no processor as all the processing is done by a single mainframe.
These are mainly used in the business field, banking areas, airlines, and other huge institutions that store data in large amounts. Examples are IBM 1401, ICL 2959/10, etc.
Fig: Mainframe Computer
A minicomputer is bigger than microcomputer and smaller than the mainframe i.e. they are medium-sized. These are not made for a single user. In terms of processing also it lies in between mainframes and microcomputers. They have a slower operation speed, low storage capacity, limited hardware as compares to mainframes.
It is also used for scientific and engineering computations, business-transaction processing, file handling, and database management. These are used as a centralized computer or as an internet server. Companies use these computers for small businesses and firms and for specific purposes. Examples: IBM AS, PDP 11, IBM 8000 series.
Fig: Mini Computer
Microcomputers are those computers that we use in our daily life. They are the smallest of all computers. It is a computer with a microprocessor as its CPU. These are majorly used in homes and offices. They are cheap, portable, and can be accommodated anywhere. It is a complete computer on a small scale designed for a single user. They support many high-level languages, multimedia, and games. It also has memory in the form of RAM and ROM and has ports, and a system of interconnecting wires kept in a single place known as the motherboard.
There are different types of microcomputers such as Desktop computer, Laptop, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc.
Fig: Micro Computer