Major Types of Computers

Week 3
Ms. Nandalall
Welcome!

Week: 3
Class: Grade 9
Date: September 18,2023
Topic: Major Types of Computers
Sub-Topic: Major Types and Units of Storage
Objective: Students will learn the units of storage and types of computers
Content

In today’s lesson we will learn about the units of storage and the following types of computers:
-Supercomputers
-Mainframes
-Desktop Systems
-Mobile devices
-Embedded Devices
Units of Storage

Units of storage are used to quantify the amount of digital information that can be stored or processed in a
computer system

Bit (b): Byte (B):

• A bit is the smallest unit of storage in a • A byte consists of 8 bits.

computer.
• Bytes are the basic building blocks of data
• It can represent one of two binary values, 0 storage in most computer systems.
or 1.
• It can represent a character of text or a
• It is often used for basic data storage and small integer.
manipulation in computing.
Units of Storage

Kilobyte(KB): Megabyte (MB):

• A kilobyte is equal to 1,024 bytes • A megabyte is equal to 1,024 kilobytes

• It is typically used to represent small amounts • It is commonly used to describe the size of
of data, such as a short text document or a files, images, or documents on a computer.
small image.
Units of Storage

Gigabyte(GB): Terabyte (TB):

• A gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes • A terabyte is equal to 1,024 gigabytes

(2^30) or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
• Terabytes are used to describe large-scale data
• It is often used to measure the capacity of storage, such as the capacity of data centers,
computer storage devices like hard drives, cloud storage, and high-capacity hard drives.
SSDs, and memory.
 • Supercomputers
• Mainframes
TYPES OF • Desktop Systems
• Mobile devices
COMPUTERS • Embedded Devices
Supercomputers

Extremely powerful computers for complex scientific and engineering tasks.

Processing Speed: Supercomputers are the fastest computers available, capable of performing
trillions of calculations per second (teraflops to petaflops range).
Storage: Supercomputers are equipped with massive storage systems, including high-capacity
hard drives and fast-access solid-state drives (SSDs). Some supercomputers use parallel file
systems to manage vast amounts of data efficiently.
Portability: Supercomputers are not portable in the traditional sense. They are massive machines
often housed in specialized data centers due to their size, power consumption, and cooling
requirements.
Supercomputers

USES
Scientific Research: Supercomputers are
extensively used for complex scientific
simulations, such as climate modeling, nuclear
research, and molecular modeling.
Weather Forecasting: They play a crucial role in
weather forecasting, enabling meteorologists to
make accurate predictions and track severe
weather events.
Astronomy: Supercomputers assist astronomers in
processing vast amounts of data from telescopes
and simulating celestial phenomena.
Eg. Cray supercomputer
Mainframes

Large, reliable computers for high-volume data processing in enterprises.

Processing Speed: Mainframes are powerful and capable of handling millions of instructions per
second (MIPS). They excel at multitasking and managing large volumes of transactions
simultaneously.
Storage: Mainframes have extensive storage capabilities, often measured in petabytes. They use
redundant storage systems to ensure data integrity and reliability.
Portability: Mainframes are not portable and are typically installed in data centers. They serve as
central computing hubs for large organizations and are accessed remotely.
 Mainframes

USES
Large-Scale Data Processing: Mainframes are employed by financial
institutions, airlines, and government agencies for processing massive
volumes of transactions and data.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Mainframes support critical
business applications, including ERP systems that manage various
aspects of an organization's operations.
Database Management: They are used as central database servers,
ensuring data integrity and availability for businesses and organizations.
Virtualization: Mainframes are often used for server virtualization to
efficiently run multiple virtual machines.
Eg. IBM zEnterprose system
Desktop Systems

Personal computers for everyday tasks and office work.

Processing Speed: Desktop systems come in a wide range of processing speeds, from basic
configurations suitable for web browsing and office tasks to high-performance models designed
for gaming and content creation. The typical clock speed ranges from 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz
Storage: Desktop systems typically have hard drives or SSDs with varying capacities, depending
on the user's needs. Storage can range from a few hundred gigabytes to multiple terabytes.
Portability: Desktop systems are not designed for portability. They are intended to remain
stationary on a desk or workstation.
 Desktop Systems

USES
General Computing: Desktop systems are versatile and can be used for
a wide range of tasks, including web browsing, word processing, and
spreadsheet management.
Gaming: High-performance desktops are popular among gamers for
playing resource-intensive video games.
Content Creation: Desktops with powerful CPUs and GPUs are used for
video editing, 3D modeling, and graphic design.
Office Work: They are commonly used in office environments for tasks
like email, document creation, and data analysis.
Mobile Devices

Portable gadgets like smartphones and tablets for on-the-go computing.

Processing Speed: Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have seen significant
improvements in processing power. High-end models can rival the processing capabilities of older
desktop and laptop computers.
Storage: Mobile devices come with onboard storage ranging from 32 GB to 512 GB or more.
Users can also utilize cloud storage services to expand their storage capacity.
Portability: Mobile devices are highly portable and designed for on-the-go use. They are
lightweight, compact, and easy to carry, making them suitable for a wide range of tasks and
activities.
 Mobile Devices

USES
Communication: Smartphones are primarily used for making calls,
sending texts, and accessing email and social media.
Internet Browsing: Mobile devices are essential for web browsing,
online shopping, and accessing information on the go.
Entertainment: They serve as media players for streaming music,
movies, and mobile games.
Productivity: Tablets and smartphones have productivity apps for tasks
like note-taking and document editing.
Eg. Laptops, mobile phones, tablets
Embedded Devices

Specialized computers integrated into other products for specific functions.

Processing Speed: Embedded devices have modest processing power optimized for their
specific functions. They are designed to perform dedicated tasks efficiently.
Storage: Storage in embedded devices is limited, often ranging from kilobytes to a few
gigabytes, depending on the application. These devices prioritize functionality over extensive data
storage.
Portability: Embedded devices are typically integrated into other products or systems, such as
home appliances, automotive control systems, or industrial machinery. They are not intended for
independent portability but contribute to the functionality of larger systems.
 Embedded Devices

USES
Home Appliances: Embedded systems are found in devices like
microwaves, refrigerators, and washing machines, adding automation
and control features.
Automotive: They are used in car ignition systems, engine control
units (ECUs), and infotainment systems.
Industrial Control: Embedded systems control machinery and
processes in manufacturing and industrial environments.
Consumer Electronics: They power devices like digital cameras,
smart TVs, and home security systems. Eg. special-purpose systems such as
controllers in microwaves, car ignition
systems, answering machine