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611917-04-2020types of Computers

The document discusses four main types of computers: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers. Microcomputers are the smallest and most affordable, including desktops, laptops, and other portable PCs. Minicomputers are medium-sized and more powerful than microcomputers. Mainframes are the largest type and support hundreds of users simultaneously for large organizations. Supercomputers are the fastest computers used for advanced applications like molecular modeling.

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51 views28 pages

611917-04-2020types of Computers

The document discusses four main types of computers: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers. Microcomputers are the smallest and most affordable, including desktops, laptops, and other portable PCs. Minicomputers are medium-sized and more powerful than microcomputers. Mainframes are the largest type and support hundreds of users simultaneously for large organizations. Supercomputers are the fastest computers used for advanced applications like molecular modeling.

Uploaded by

busolamipaul
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Edited by:
Dr. Gajanana Prabhu B.
Assistant Professor
Department of P G Studies & Research in Physical Education
Kuvempu University
Types of Computers

Types of
Computers

Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer


MICROCOMPUTER

• Can be classified into:


• Desktop PCs
• sits on desks, rarely moved, large and bulky.
• Memory capacity, graphics capacity and
software availability vary from one computer
to another Used both for business and home
applications

4
MICROCOMPUTER

• Portable PCs
• Can be moved easily from place to place
• Weight may varies
• Small PCs are popular known as laptop
• Widely used by students, scientist, reporters,
etc

5
Microcomputer Model

Desktop Laptop Notebook

Subnotebook Palmtop

6
Microcomputer

• Advantages
• Small size
• Low cost
• Portability
• Low Computing Power
• Commonly used for personal applications
• Disadvantages
• Low processing speed

7
Uses of Microcomputer

• Word Processing
• Home entertainment
• Home banking
• Printing
• Surfing the internet
• etc

8
MINICOMPUTER

• Medium sized computer


• Also called the minis
• e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc
• Computing power lies between microcomputer and
mainframe computer

9
11
MiniComputer

• Characteristics
• Bigger size than PCs
• Expensive than PCs
• Multi-User
• Difficult to use
• More computing power than PCs
• Used by medium sized business organizations,
colleges, libraries and banks.

12
Uses of Minicomputer

• Control of Automated Teller Machine (ATMs)


• Payroll
• Hospital patients registration
• Inventory Control for supermarket
• Insurance claims processing
• Small bank accounting and customer details
tracking

13
Minicomputer

• Advantage
• Cater to multiple users
• Lower costs than mainframes
• Disadvantage
• Large
• Bulky

14
MAINFRAME

• Known as enterprise servers


• Occupies entire rooms or floors
• Used for centralized computing
• Serve distributed users and small
servers in a computing network

15
Main Frame
• Large, fast and expensive computer
• Cost Lakhs of Rupees
• e.g. IBM3091, ICL39, etc
• Characteristics:
• Bigger in size than minicomputers
• Very expensive
• Support a few hundred users simultaneously (Multi-
Users)
• Difficult to use
• More computing power than minicomputers
• Have to be kept in a special air-conditioned room
• Used in big business organizations and government
departments
19
Areas where mainframes are used

• Airline reservation
• Big banks with hundreds of branches located all
over the world
• Big universities with thousands of enrollment
• Natural gas and oil exploration companies
• Space Vehicle control
• Weather forecasting
• Animated Cartoon
• Some mainframes are designed to be extremely
fast and called super computers. It is used for
space launching, monitoring and controlling. 20
21
22
Mainframe

• Advantage
• Supports many users and instructions
• Large memory
• Disadvantage
• Huge size
• Expensive

23
SUPERCOMPUTER

• Fastest and expensive


• Used by applications for
molecular chemistry, nuclear
research, weather reports, and
advanced physics
• Consists of several computers that
work in parallel as a single system

24
Super Computer

• Advantage
• Speed
• Disadvantage
• Generate a large amount of heat during
operation

28

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