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Lecture 001

The document classifies computers based on their capability and size as well as technology. It discusses supercomputers, mainframes, servers, desktops, and mobile computers in terms of their typical components, costs, and uses. It also ranks device types by installed number and classifies computers as digital, analog, or hybrid based on how they process data.

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17 views27 pages

Lecture 001

The document classifies computers based on their capability and size as well as technology. It discusses supercomputers, mainframes, servers, desktops, and mobile computers in terms of their typical components, costs, and uses. It also ranks device types by installed number and classifies computers as digital, analog, or hybrid based on how they process data.

Uploaded by

s khatak
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 001

Classification of Computers
Devices
 More Input, Output devices and I/O devices.
 Input
• Trackballs, Barcode reader, Digital camera, Gamepad,
MIDI(musical instrument digital keyboard) keyboard, Webcam,
Touch pads, Pen Input, OMR & OCR.

 Output
• Projector and Head Phones

 I/O
• Headsets (Headset consists of Speakers and Microphone).
• Facsimile (FAX) (It has scanner to scan the document and
also have printer to Print the document)
• Audio Cards / Sound Card etc.
Today’s Goal

To learn to classify computers according to


their capability and size

To learn to classify computers according to


technology
Computer Types According to Capability & Size

• Supercomputers

• Mainframes

• Servers (Mini Computers)

• Desktops (Workstations & PC)

• Portables (Mobile Computers)


Super Computer
Supercomputers (1)
• State-of-the-art machines designed to perform
calculations as fast as the current technology allows.

• Supercomputers, the world's largest and fastest


computers.

• Used to solve extremely complex and large-scale


problems: weather prediction, simulation of atomic
explosions; aircraft design; movie animation.

• Cost tens of millions of dollars.


Supercomputers (2)
• Early supercomputers used a single or a few
processors working in parallel.

• Those processors were custom-built for the


supercomputers, and were, therefore, very
expensive.

• Modern supercomputers use the same


processors that are used in desktop PCs.
• They, however, are designed to use 1000’s of
them working together in parallel.
The Champion: ASCI White
• Most powerful computer as of February 2002.
• Capable of 12.3 trillion calculations/sec
– 74,000 times faster than Cray 1 (1976)
– 1,000 times faster than Deep Blue (1997)

• Designed for complex 3-D simulations required for


testing nuclear weapons
• Powered by 8192 microprocessors
• 6 TB of memory; 160 TB of storage capacity
• Sunway Super computer (2016)
• 10000 times faster than ASCI White
Mainframe
Mainframe Computers (1)
• Also called “Enterprise Servers”.

• Designed for performing multiple, intensive


tasks for multiple users simultaneously.

• Used by large businesses (e.g. banks, e-


commerce sites), military, and industrial
organizations.
• Mainframes are also used as e-commerce
servers, handling transactions over the
Internet.
Mainframe Computers (2)

• Designed for very-high reliability


• Can be serviced/upgraded while in operation

• Generally consist of multiple processors, GB’s of


memory, and TB’s of storage

• Cost in Thousands of dollars


Servers/Minicomputers (1)
• The name minicomputers used to define
the class of computers that lies between
personal computers and mainframes
Servers/Minicomputers (2)

• Generally are more reliable than desktops, but not


as solid as the mainframes

• Generally consist of 2 or more processors, GB’s of


memory, and TB’s of storage

• Costs a few thousands of dollars


Desktop Computers (1)
• Also called microcomputers

• Low-end desktops are called PC’s and high-end ones


“Workstations”

• Generally consist of a single processor only, some


times 2, along with GB’s of memory, and GB’s of
storage
Workstation
Desktop Computers (2)
• PC’s are used for running productivity applications,
Web surfing, messaging

• Workstations for more demanding tasks like low-


end 3-D simulations and other engineering &
scientific apps

• Are not as reliable and fault-tolerant as servers

• Workstations cost a few hundred dollars; PC around


a $150
Mobile Computers (1)
• Laptops, palmtops, and wearable computers are very
capable computers but are light-weight and consume
very little power

• Laptops (also called notebook computers) generally


weigh around 2kg, use special low-power processors,
typically have 5GB memory, 1000 GB of storage, can work
for more than 2 or 3 hours on battery.

• Their usage is similar to that of PCs.

• They cost in the range of $500-1500.


Mobile Computers (2)
• Palmtops, also known as PDA’s - Personal Digital Assistants

• Weigh less than a pound, have very low-power processors,


KB’s of memory, MB’s of storage capacity

• Can run for many hours on AA batteries

• Used as an electronic version of a pocket diary. Also for


Web surfing, e-mail and fax-sender or even as mobile
phones

• Palmtops cost $200-600


Mobile Computers (3)
• Wearables are small in size, carried in a pocket,
worn on the arm, waist, or head or elsewhere on
the body

• Capability similar to PDA’s, but more expensive

• They are always ON, and always accessible. That is,


the user can always enter and execute commands,
even while walking around or doing other activities

• Each soldier of the future will be fitted with one


Palm Tops
PDA
Wearable Computer
Ranking w.r.t. installed number
• PC’s
• PDA’s
• Workstations
• Servers
• Wearable's (will take the top spot in future)
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
According to Technology
Digital Computer
Analog Computer
Hybrid Computer
Analog Computers
• These computers recognize data as a continuous
measurement of a physical property ( voltage,
pressure, speed and temperature).

Example: Automobile speedometer


Digital computers
• Digital computer process data which is binary,
i.e. in the form of 0 and 1.
• Digital computers such as PC’s and laptops etc.
Hybrid computers
• Characteristics of both Digital and analog
computers.

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