Presentation topic: Computer Types

by Size
Presenters:

Babujaan Alam Anukul Pokharel

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Saurav Khadka Samir Shrestha

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Computer Types
by Size
Computers are categorized by size. This presentation
will explore the different types of computers, with a
focus on their features, advantages, disadvantages, and
applications.
1. Supercomputer
Introduction
Supercomputers are the most powerful type of
computers. They are designed for high-performance
computing and are used for tasks that require
massive amounts of processing power, such as weather
forecasting, scientific research, and financial
modeling. They can handle complex calculations and
simulations that are beyond the capabilities of
ordinary computers. This makes them essential for
pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery,
improving weather predictions, and supporting
critical financial operations.
1. Supercomputer
Advantages:
• High Processing Power: Capable of performing trillions
of calculations per second.
• Advanced Research Capabilities: Facilitates
breakthroughs in scientific fields such as climate
• modeling and
Simulation molecular
and research.
Modeling: Enables detailed simulations
of complex systems like weather patterns and nuclear
• reactions.
Improved Forecasting: Enhances forecasting for
weather, natural disasters, and economic models.
• Support for Big Data Analytics: Essential for
analyzing large datasets in genomics, particle
• physics,
Enhanced and
Drugsocial networks.
Discovery: Speeds up drug discovery by
simulating drug interactions and effects.
1. Supercomputer
Disadvantages:
• High Cost: Significant financial investment
required for acquisition and maintenance.
• Energy Consumption: Substantial electricity
usage leading to high operational costs and
• environmental
Complexity andconcerns.
Maintenance: Requires
specialized knowledge for operation and
• troubleshooting.
Space Requirements: Needs large physical space
and cooling systems.
• Limited Accessibility: Primarily available to
well-funded institutions, restricting access
• for smaller
Security entities.
Risks: Potential for data breaches and
cyber threats due to sensitive information
processing.
1. Supercomputer
• Climate Modeling: Supercomputers analyze vast amounts
of environmental data to study climate change and
• predict itsThey
Astronomy: impacts.
process data from telescopes and
simulate cosmic phenomena to understand the universe's
• structure and evolution.
Medical Research: Supercomputers help in drug
discovery by simulating molecular interactions and in
analyzing large-scale genomic data for personalized
• medicine.
Cryptography: Supercomputers are essential for
breaking encryption codes and developing new, more
• secure
Weathercryptographic
Forecasting: methods.
Supercomputers model weather
patterns to provide accurate and timely forecasts,
track hurricanes, and predict climate changes.
• Scientific Research: They are used in fields like
physics, chemistry, and biology to simulate complex
processes, such as atomic interactions or protein
folding.
2. Mainframe Computer
Introduction
Mainframe computers are large, powerful systems
designed to handle and process vast amounts of data
concurrently. They are known for their reliability,
scalability, and ability to manage critical
business applications and large-scale transactions.
2. Mainframe Computer
Advantages:
• High Reliability: Known for their stability and
uptime, making them ideal for mission-critical
• applications.
Scalability: Can be scaled up to handle
increasing workloads by adding more processors
• or memory.
Powerful Processing: Capable of processing large
volumes of data and handling numerous
• transactions simultaneously.
Centralized Management: Provides a centralized
platform for data management and enterprise
• applications.
Data Security: Offers robust security features
to protect sensitive and critical data.
• Efficient Resource Utilization: Supports
multiple users and applications concurrently
with efficient resource allocation.
2. Mainframe Computer
Disadvantages:
• High Cost: Expensive to purchase, operate, and
maintain, often requiring specialized
• personnel.
Complexity: Requires specialized knowledge for
setup, configuration, and management.
• Large Physical Size: Typically requires a
significant amount of physical space for
• installation and cooling.
Limited Flexibility: Can be less flexible
compared to modern distributed computing
systems and may require significant
adjustments for changes.
2. Mainframe Computer
Uses:
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Manages
large-scale business processes and operations.
• Banking Systems: Handles large volumes of
financial transactions and data processing.
• Government Applications: Manages critical
national and public services data, including
social security and tax systems.
• Healthcare: Processes patient records,
billing, and other healthcare data for large
• hospitals and
Large-scale health
Data systems. Used for tasks
Processing:
such as data warehousing, batch processing,
and large-scale transaction processing.
3. Mini Computer
Introduction

Mini computers, often referred to as minicomputers,

emerged in the 1960s as a class of computing
machines that are smaller than mainframes but
larger than microcomputers (personal computers).
They are designed to handle multiple tasks and
support multiple users simultaneously.
Historically, they were used for business,
scientific, and industrial applications.
3. Mini Computer
Advantages:

• Cost-Effective: Cheaper than mainframes,

making them more accessible for medium-sized
• organizations.
Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of
applications, including scientific research,
industrial control, and business processes.
• Multi-User Capability: Can support multiple
users and run several applications
• simultaneously.
Smaller Size: More compact than mainframes,
requiring less physical space and often easier
to integrate into existing facilities.
• Good Performance: Provides sufficient
computational power for many tasks that do not
require the extensive capabilities of a
mainframe.
3. Mini Computer
Disadvantages:

• Limited Processing Power: Not as powerful as

mainframes or supercomputers, which may limit
their use in high-performance applications.
• Scalability Issues: While scalable to some
extent, there are limits to how much you can
expand a mini computer compared to larger
• systems.
Outdated Technology: Many mini computers have
been surpassed by more modern systems, leading
to reduced support and compatibility issues.
• Maintenance Costs: While initial costs may be
lower, ongoing maintenance and support can
• still beModern
Limited significant.
Applications: May not be
suitable for contemporary high-demand
applications like advanced simulations or
large-scale data analytics.
3. Mini Computer
Uses:

• Business Applications: Used for tasks like

payroll processing, inventory management, and
customer relationship management (CRM).
• Industrial Control: Employed in process control
systems, manufacturing automation, and
monitoring of industrial operations.
• Scientific Research: Utilized for data analysis,
simulations, and experiments that do not require
the processing power of supercomputers.
• Educational Institutions: Used in universities
and colleges for teaching and research purposes.
• Database Management: Serves as a platform for
managing and running relational databases.
• Medical Facilities: Applied in managing hospital
records, diagnostic imaging systems, and other
medical applications.
#Key Differences
Between Mainframe
and Minicomputer
Feature Mainframe Computer Minicomputer

Size Large Medium

Processing Power High Medium

Cost High Medium

Scalability High Medium

Security High Medium

Reliability High Medium

4. Micro Computer

Microcomputers, commonly known as personal computers (PCs), emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as small, affordable
computers designed for individual use. They are based on microprocessors and are suitable for a wide range of
applications, from home computing to business tasks. They include desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
4. Micro Computer
Advantages:

• Affordability: Generally less expensive than

minicomputers and mainframes, making them
accessible to individuals and small businesses.
• Compact Size: Small and portable, particularly
in the case of laptops, tablets, and
smartphones, fitting well into home and office
• environments.
User-Friendly: Designed with intuitive
interfaces and software that are easy to use for
• non-technical users. of performing a wide range
Versatility: Capable
of tasks, including word processing, gaming, web
browsing, and multimedia creation.
• Connectivity: Equipped with internet access and
networking capabilities, enabling communication
• and collaboration.
Software Availability: Supports a broad array of
software applications for various needs, from
productivity to entertainment.
4. Micro Computer
Disadvantages:
• Limited Processing Power: Less powerful than
minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers,
which can be a limitation for high-performance
• tasks.
Security Risks: Vulnerable to malware,
viruses, and cyber-attacks, requiring regular
updates and security measures.
• Short Lifespan: Rapid technological
advancements can quickly render microcomputers
• obsolete or less
Maintenance: capable.
Requires regular maintenance and
upgrades to keep up with evolving software and
• hardware standards.
Data Storage: Limited internal storage
capacity compared to larger systems, though
this can be mitigated with external drives and
cloud storage.
4. Micro Computer
Uses:

• Personal Use: Used for everyday tasks such as

web browsing, email, social media, and
entertainment (e.g., gaming, streaming).
• Business Applications: Employed for office
productivity tasks, such as word processing,
spreadsheet management, and presentations.
• Education: Utilized in schools and
universities for teaching, research, and
• student
Creativeprojects.
Work: Used for graphic design, video
editing, music production, and other
• multimedia tasks.Acts as a hub for managing
Home Automation:
smart home devices and systems.
• Data Management: Manages personal files,
photos, and other data through various
software applications.
4. Micro Computer
-Types of microcomputer:

1. Desktop microcomputer

2. Notebook or laptop micro computers

3. Tablet and Smartphone micro computers

4. Personal digital assistant and Palmtop micro computers

5. Workstation and Server micro computers

6. Mini Tower and Full Tower micro computers

Desktop Micro Computer

Monitor Keyboard
A visual display unit, A device that allows you to
typically a flat-screen, that input text and commands into
shows the output from the the computer.
computer.

Mouse Central Processing Unit

(CPU)
A pointing device that allows
you to control the cursor on The brain of the computer,
the screen. responsible for processing
data and instructions.
Laptop micro Computer

1 Portability
Laptops are designed to be portable and easy to carry around.

2 Integrated Components
All the essential components, including the CPU, memory, and storage, are built into a single unit.

3 Battery Power
Laptops are powered by batteries, allowing them to be used without being plugged in.

4 Keyboard and Touchpad

Laptops have a built-in keyboard and touchpad for inputting data and navigating the screen.

5 Display Screen
Laptops have a built-in display screen that is used to view the output from the computer.
Tablet and Smartphone micro Computer

Touchscreen Interface Stylus Support Portability

Tablets use touchscreens for Many tablets support the use Tablets are lightweight and
interacting with the device. of a stylus, providing more portable, making them
precise input for tasks like convenient for on-the-go use.
drawing or writing.
Palmtop micro
computers
Mobile Operating Touchscreen
System Interface
Smartphones run on Smartphones use
mobile operating touchscreens for
systems like Android or interacting with the
iOS. device.

Cellular Internet Access

Connectivity
Smartphones have
Smartphones have internet access,
cellular connectivity, allowing for web
allowing for voice browsing, social media,
calls and data access. and other online
activities.