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Document 1 COMPUTER TYPES

There are several types of computers ranging from the most powerful supercomputers to personal computers. Supercomputers are the fastest and most powerful computers, capable of immense calculations for tasks like weather forecasting. Mainframe computers are large, expensive systems that can support hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously, and are more powerful than supercomputers in some ways. Mini computers are mid-sized systems that lie between workstations and mainframes in power and size. Personal computers include desktops, laptops, palmtops and PDAs, with desktops sufficient for a desk and laptops being portable with integrated keyboards and screens. Workstations are client machines used by individual users in a network.

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89 views2 pages

Document 1 COMPUTER TYPES

There are several types of computers ranging from the most powerful supercomputers to personal computers. Supercomputers are the fastest and most powerful computers, capable of immense calculations for tasks like weather forecasting. Mainframe computers are large, expensive systems that can support hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously, and are more powerful than supercomputers in some ways. Mini computers are mid-sized systems that lie between workstations and mainframes in power and size. Personal computers include desktops, laptops, palmtops and PDAs, with desktops sufficient for a desk and laptops being portable with integrated keyboards and screens. Workstations are client machines used by individual users in a network.

Uploaded by

Ilyas Khan
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 ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Computer

Super Computer

The fastest and most powerful 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.

The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its power
into executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many
programs concurrently.

Mainframe Computer

A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users
simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the
bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways,
mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But
supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe.

Mini Computer

A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and mainframes. In the past
decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the
distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing
system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.

Micro Computer or Personal Computer

• Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.


• Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and keyboard. It is generally
smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a notebook computer.

• Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops have no keyboard but
the screen serves both as an input and output device.

Workstations

A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a generic term for a user's
machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or "mainframe."

M Ilyas

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