Type of Computer on the Basic of Size |

Computer Type - At the core of the size

Depending on the size, computers can be classified into:

1. Microcomputer
2. Mini Computer
3. Mainframe Computer
4. Supercomputers
5. Workstation

»Microcomputer

The microcomputer is at the lowest end of the computer range in terms of speed and storage capacity. Its CPU is a microprocessor. The first microcomputers were made of 8-bit microprocessor chips. The most common application of a personal computer (PC) is in this category. The PC supports multiple input and output devices.

Microcomputers include 

(A) Portable computers and 
(B) Desktop computers.
(A) Portable computer

A portable computer is a very small, easy to use microcomputer. Users can take it anywhere. The group includes personal digital assistants, pen-based computers, hand held computers, notebook computers, and laptop computers.

(A) Personal computer or desktop computer

A personal computer is a microprocessor based, single user computer. External devices for personal computers include a keyboard and a mouse as an input device, a monitor to display information, and a hard disk for storage.
Microcomputer

»Mini Computer

A minicomputer is a medium-sized computer that is expensive and more powerful than a microcomputer. This is actually a scale down version of the mainframe computer. It can support up to a few hundred users at a time with a multi-terminal, time-sharing system. They are mainly used as departmental computers in large and medium-sized organizations. They are also used in government departments, universities and R&D establishments.

 »Mainframe computer :-

Early computers were callpad mainframes due to their size. The term is still used today for large computers. They have large storage capacity, very high speeds of processing (compared to micro and minis) and can simultaneously support a large number of terminals (many hundreds to thousands) for use by different users. They are kept in an air-conditioned environment in a special computer room. They are used by major companies, banks, government departments etc. as their main computers.
mainframe computer

»Supercomputers :-

It is the fastest and most expensive computer. It has very large storage capacity and computing speed which is at least ten times faster than other computers. It can perform millions of instructions per second. Supercomputers are used extensively in scientific and engineering disciplines for special applications such as numerical problems. These include applications in electronics, petroleum engineering, weather forecasting, medicine and nuclear power research.

»Workspace

A workstation is a powerful computer that lies between a personal computer and a minicomputer in terms of power. It has a high resolution graphics monitor, large RAM and secondary storage. Although it is a standalone system, it usually forms part of a network and uses Unix or Windows NT as the operating system. Workstations are used for specialized applications such as desktop publishing, software development, and engineering design.

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