Classification of Computers:

Introduction:
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due to these different shapes and sizes they perform different Sorts of jobs from one another. A computer that is used in a home different in size and shape from the computer being used in a hospital. Computers act as a server in large buildings, while the computer also differs in size and shape performing its job as a weather forecaster. A student carrying a laptop with him to his college is different in shape and size from all the computers mentioned above. Here we are going to introduce different classifications of computers one by one depending upon their speed and memory and size. 1. Supercomputer 2. Mainframe computer 3. Mini computer 4. Microcomputer 1. Desktop 2. Laptop 3. PDA/Palmtop

1. Super Computer
The biggest in size, the most expensive computers than any other is known as super computer. It can process trillions of instructions in seconds. These were developed in 1980. It can process trillions of instructions per seconds. The speed of a super computer is generally measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations Per Second). Characteristics: 1. The largest computer in the world. 2. Very costly 3. Very fast speed 4. Thousands of users can be connected at the same time and the supercomputer Uses: Governments specially use this type of computer for their different calculations and heavy jobs. Different industries also use this huge computer for designing their products. Atomic Research: super computers are used in nuclear research and development centre. Animation: In most of the Hollywoods movies it is used for animation purposes. Weather forecasting: This kind of computer is also helpful for forecasting weather reports worldwide. A supercomputer is typically used for scientific and engineering applications that must handle very large databases or do a great amount of computation (or both). They are used for problems requiring complex calculations. Supercomputers are used by universities, government agencies, and large businesses

Examples: IBM Road Runner, IBM blue Gene, CRAY 1, CRAY 2, CRAY XMP

2. Mainframes Computers
A giant in computers after the super computer is Mainframe, which can also process millions of instruction per second and capable of accessing billions of data. This is normally too expensive and out of reach from a salary-based person who wants a computer for his home. Characteristics: Nearly all mainframes have the ability to run (or host) multiple operating systems. Multiple users can use it at the same time (50,000 users simultaneously). Mainframes are designed to handle very high volume input and output (1/0) Compared to a typical PC, mainframes commonly have hundreds to thousands of times as much as data storage online. It can access data much faster. Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling transactions Over the Internet. Uses: This computer is commonly used in big hospitals, air line reservations companies. Many other huge companies prefer mainframe because of its capability of retrieving data on a huge basis. The mainframe computers arc also used as servers on the World Wide. Examples: These include the Burroughs large systems, the UNIVAC 1100/2200 series systems, and the pre-System/360, IBM 700/7000 series, Z series by Hitachi

3. Minicomputer
These computers lie in between the mainframe and personal computer. Characteristics: These computers are smaller in size, work and performance than mainframe. These are the computers, which are mostly preferred by the small type of business personals, institutes, colleges, etc limited peripheral (external input, output and storage devices) are supported. Uses: These are widely used as servers in networking These are used in industry, business, education and organizations. Also used in huge data processing. Minicomputers are used for designing tasks Examples: Control Data CDC 16OA and CDC 1700, DEC PDP and VAX series

4. Micro/Personal Computers
These computers are lesser in cost than the computers given above and also, small in size; they are also called PCs in short for Personal computers.

Almost all the computer users are familiar with the personal computers. They normally know what the personal computer is and what its functions are. Characteristics: These computers have well defines 1/0 devices, processing, Memory and secondary storage devices. These computers have storage capacities up to terabytes. All versions of Windows, Linux, UNIX, Mac operating systems are supported by these computers. This is the computer mostly preferred by the home users. This computer is small in size and you can easily arrange it at any plate Today this is thought to be the most popular computer in all. Easily portable system. Less costly than any other system. Consume less energy. Reliable for home and offices. Uses: Widely used in home and offices. Used for entertainment It is also used in educational institutions. These are widely used in hospitals. Personal Computers are widely used in communication such as emailing, chatting, video and voice conferencing. These are used in designing the 3d graphics In industry it is widely used in quality assurance department, production etc.... There are three types of PCs A. Desktop. These are single user pc. These arc very popular now days. These are normally branded and non branded computers. These are widely used all over the world. B. Laptop/Notebook Computers Having a small size and low weight the notebook is easy to carry to anywhere It is easy to carry around and preferred by students and business people to meet their assignments and other necessary tasks. Student can take it with him/her to his/her school in his/her bag with his/her book. It can store the same amount of data and having a memory of the same size as that of a personal computer. One can say that it is the replacement of personal desktop computer. C. Palm top/PDA: PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant. It is one of the handheld pc. It is also called palm top PC because they can fit in the palm of the person It also contains an operating system called Windows CE (Compact Edition).