Types of Computers

We can categorize computer in two ways: on the basis of data handling capabilities and
size.
On the basis of data handling capabilities, the computer is of three types:
 Analogue Computer
 Digital Computer
Hybrid Computer
1) Analogue Computer
 Analogue computers are designed to process analogue data. Analogue data is
continuous data that changes continuously and cannot have discrete values. We
can say that analogue computers are used where we don't need exact values
always such as speed, temperature, pressure and current.
 Analogue computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without
first converting it into numbers and codes. They measure the continuous changes
in physical quantity and generally render output as a reading on a dial or scale.
Speedometer and mercury thermometer are examples of analogue computers.
Advantages of using analogue computers:
 It allows real-time operations and computation at the same time and continuous
representation of all data within the rage of the analogue machine.
 In some applications, it allows performing calculations without taking the help of
transducers for converting the inputs or outputs to digital electronic form and vice
versa.
 The programmer can scale the problem for the dynamic range of the analogue
computer. It provides insight into the problem and helps understand the errors and
their effects.
Types of analogue computers:
 Slide Rules: It is one of the simplest types of mechanical analogue computers. It
was developed to perform basic mathematical calculations. It is made of two rods.
To perform the calculation, the hashed rod is slid to line up with the markings on
another rod.
 Differential Analyzers: It was developed to perform differential calculations. It
performs integration using wheel-and-disc mechanisms to solve differential
calculations.
 Castle Clock: It was invented by Al-Jarazi. It was able to save programming
instructions. Its height was around 11 feet and it was provided with the display of
 time, the zodiac, and the solar and lunar orbits. This device also could allow users
to set the length of the day as per the current season.
 Electronic Analogue Computer: In this type of analogue computer, electrical
signals flow through capacitors and resistors to simulate physical phenomena.
Here, the mechanical interaction of components does not take place. The voltage
of the electrical signal generates the appropriate displays.

2) Digital Computer
 Digital computer is designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high
speed. It accepts the raw data as input in the form of digits or binary numbers (0
and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to produce the output.
All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that we use at
home or office are digital computers.

Advantages of digital computers:

 It allows you to store a large amount of information and to retrieve it easily
whenever you need it.
 You can easily add new features to digital systems more easily.
 Different applications can be used in digital systems just by changing the program
without making any changes in hardware
 The cost of hardware is less due to the advancement in the IC technology.
 It offers high speed as the data is processed digitally.
 It is highly reliable as it uses error correction codes.
 Reproducibility of results is higher as the output is not affected by noise,
temperature, humidity, and other properties of its components.

3) Hybrid Computer
 Hybrid computer has features of both analogue and digital computer. It is fast like
an analogue computer and has memory and accuracy like digital computers. It can
process both continuous and discrete data. It accepts analogue signals and convert
them into digital form before processing. So, it is widely used in specialized
applications where both analogue and digital data is processed. For example, a
processor is used in petrol pumps that converts the measurements of fuel flow into
quantity and price. Similarly, they are used in airplanes, hospitals, and scientific
applications.

Advantages of using hybrid computers:

 Its computing speed is very high due to the all-parallel configuration of the
analogue subsystem.
 It produces precise and quick results that are more accurate and useful.
 It has the ability to solve and manage big equation in real-time.
 It helps in the on-line data processing.
On the basis of size, the computer can be of five types:

1) Supercomputer
 Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers. They are designed to
process huge amount of data. A supercomputer can process trillions of instructions
in a second. It has thousands of interconnected processors.
 Supercomputers are particularly used in scientific and engineering applications
such as weather forecasting, scientific simulations and nuclear energy research.
The first supercomputer was developed by Roger Cray in 1976.
Characteristics or applications of supercomputers:
 It has the ability to decrypt your password to enhance protection for security
reasons.
 It produces excellent results in animations.
 It is used for virtual testing of nuclear weapons and critical medical tests.
 It can study and understand climate patterns and forecast weather conditions. It
can run in NOAA's system (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) that
can execute any type of simple and logical data.
 It helps in designing the flight simulators for pilots at the beginner level for their
training.
 It helps in extracting useful information from data storage centres or cloud system.
For example, in insurance companies.
 It has played a vital role in managing the online currency world such as stock
market and bitcoin.
 It helps in the diagnosis of various critical diseases and in producing accurate
results in brain injuries, strokes, etc.
 It helps in scientific research areas by accurately analyzing data obtained from
exploring the solar system, satellites, and movement of Earth.
 It also used in a smog control system where it predicts the level of fog and other
pollutants in the atmosphere.

2) Mainframe computer
 Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means
they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of mainframe
computers make them ideal for big organizations like banking and telecom sectors,
which need to manage and process high volume of data.
 Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means
they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of mainframe
computers make them ideal for big organizations like banking and telecom sectors,
which need to manage and process a high volume of data that requires integer
operations such as indexing, comparisons, etc.
Characteristics of Mainframe Computers:
 It can process huge amount of data, e.g., millions of transactions in a second in the
banking sector.
 It has a very long life. It can run smoothly for up to 50 years after proper
installation.
 It gives excellent performance with large scale memory management.
 It has the ability to share or distribute its workload among other processors and
input/output terminals.
 There are fewer chances of error or bugs during processing in mainframe
computers. If any error occurs it can fix it quickly without affecting the
performance.
 It has the ability to protect the stored data and other ongoing exchange of
information and data.
 Applications of mainframe computers:
 In health care, it enabled hospitals to maintain a record of their millions of patients
in order to contact them for treatment or related to their appointment, medicine
updates or disease updates.
 In the field of defense, it allows the defense departments to share a large amount
of sensitive information with other branches of defense.
 In the field of education, it helps big universities to store, manage and retrieve
data related to their courses, admissions, students, teachers, employees and
affiliated schools and colleges.
 In the retail sector, the retail companies that have a huge customer base and
branches use mainframe computers to handle and execute information related to
their inventory management, customer management, and huge transactions in a
short duration.

3) Miniframe or Minicomputer
 It is a midsize multiprocessing computer. It consists of two or more processors and
can support 4 to 200 users at one time. Miniframe computers are used in institutes
and departments for tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management.
A minicomputer lies between the mainframe and microcomputer as it is smaller
than mainframe but larger than a microcomputer.

Characteristics of miniframe or minicomputer:

 It is light weight that makes it easy to carry and fit anywhere.
 It is less expensive than mainframe computers.
 It is very fast compared to its size.
 It remains charged for a long time.
 It does not require a controlled operational environment.
 Applications of minicomputers:
 A minicomputer is mainly used to perform three primary functions, which are as
follows:
  Process control: It was used for process control in manufacturing. It mainly
performs two primary functions that are collecting data and feedback. If any
abnormality occurs in the process, it is detected by the minicomputer and
necessary adjustments are made accordingly.
 Data management: It is an excellent device for small organizations to collect,
store and share data. Local hospitals and hotels can use it to maintain the records
of their patients and customers respectively.
 Communications Portal: It can also play the role of a communication device in
larger systems by serving as a portal between a human operator and a central
processor or computer.

4) Workstation
 Workstation is a single user computer that is designed for technical or scientific
applications. It has a faster microprocessor, a large amount of RAM and high-speed
graphic adapters. It generally performs a specific job with great expertise;
accordingly, they are of different types such as graphics workstation, music
workstation and engineering design workstation.

Characteristics of workstation computer:

 It is a high-performance computer system designed for a single user for business
or professional use.
 It has larger storage capacity, better graphics, and more powerful CPU than a
personal computer.
 It can handle animation, data analysis, CAD, audio and video creation and editing.
 Any computer that has the following five features, can be termed as a workstation
or can be used as a workstation.

Multiple Processor Cores: It has more processor cores than simple laptops or
computers.
 ECC RAM: It is provided with Error-correcting code memory that can fix memory
errors before they affect the system's performance.
 RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): It refers to multiple internal
hard drives to store or process data. RAID can be of different types, for example,
there can be multiple drives to process data or mirrored drives where if one drive
does not work than other starts functioning.
 SSD: It is better than conventional hard-disk drives. It does not have moving parts,
so the chances of physical failure are very less.
 Optimized, Higher end GPU: It reduces the load on CPU. E.g., CPU has to do less
work while processing the screen output.
5) Microcomputer
 Microcomputer is also known as a personal computer. It is a general-purpose
computer that is designed for individual use. It has a microprocessor as a central
processing unit, memory, storage area, input unit and output unit. Laptops and
desktop computers are examples of microcomputers. They are suitable for
personal work that may be making an assignment, watching a movie, or at office
for office work.

Characteristics of a microcomputer:
 It is the smallest in size among all types of computers.
 A limited number of software can be used.
 It is designed for personal work and applications. Only one user can work at a time.
 It is less expansive and easy to use.
 It does not require the user to have special skills or training to use it.
 Generally, comes with single semiconductor chip.
 It is capable of multitasking such as printing, scanning, browsing, watching videos,
etc.

FAQs on the Types of Computers

1. What are the Three Main Types of Computers?
On the basis of data handling capabilities, the three main types of computers are:
 Analog computers
 Digital computers
 Hybrid computers
2. What is a Workstation?
 A workstation is a kind of computer that can be used for software development,
desktop publishing, and creating engineering applications. Although a modest
amount of processing power is present in a workstation, it has relatively good
graphical capabilities.
3. What do you Understand by the Term Mainframe?
 A mainframe is often very expensive and a very large type of computer. These
kinds of computers have the potential to support hundreds and even thousands of
people in one go. Furthermore, programs can run simultaneously, and concurrent
execution is possible in mainframe computers.
4. What are the advantages of Analog computers?
 The advantages of Analog computers are that it represents the data within the
system's range and enables users for real-time computations. These as well carry
out the calculations without using transducers. Analog systems come in different
 types, such as Hybrid computers, Digital computers, Castlerock, Electronic Analog
computers, slide rules, and differential analyzers. Each of these has advantages
and drawbacks of its own. Students who need a thorough explanation of each can
go through these on Java point website.
5. What are slide rules?
 The simplest analog computer system is the slide. It is used to carry out numerous
mathematical computations. These are made up of two rods. The rod slides off with
the marking on the other rod when there any calculations are made. In contrast,
differential calculations are performed using differential analyzers. These operate
using a wheel and disc system. Through Java point, where correct explanations are
given that are simple for all pupils to understand, they can learn all the concepts
easily.
6. What are digital computers?
 All logical operations are completed quickly and efficiently by digital computers.
They work with digital or binary numbers. One of the numerous benefits of digital
computers is that they can store a large amount of data. Digital computers can
simply add new functionality. The cost of these computers is quite low, and the
data processing is done at high speed. The cost is quite low, and the data
processing is done quickly digitally. For further information about the different sorts
of computers, students can consult Java point.
7. What are mainframe computers?
 The mainframe is a type of computer that can be characterized as an expensive
and substantial computer system. This is very powerful as they have the potential
to support numerous users at the same time. These also facilitate different
program executions. It provides great performance with extensive memory
management and has a long lifespan. Another advantage of using a mainframe is
that errors are often quite infrequent, but when they do occur, the system
automatically corrects them. They also have a wide range of applications.
8. What do you understand about Hybrid computers?
 Digital and analog computers are combined in order to create hybrid computers.
Although the accuracy and memory are close to digital computers, the speed is
similar to analogue computers. Before the process, these kinds of computers take
the analogue signals and transform them into digital signals. These are typically
used in specialist applications that combine analog and digital data. Hybrid
computers have the capability to resolve complicated problems in real-time and
contain a very high speed.
9. Which type of computer has two or more processors and it supports 4 to 200
users at one time.
 A minicomputer is a multiprocessing computer of medium size. This type of
computer has two or more CPUs and can accommodate 4 to 200 users in one go.