Classification of Computers according to

Size, Type and Purpose

We see many Computers nearby, But they all are different from each other. In this article, we
are going to know about the basics and classification of computers which included all the
different types of computers.
There are different classes of computer technology available these days. The functionality
and data processing of each type of computer is different and output results as well.

However, the methods or techniques, Size, capacity, characteristics, and data handling of
the data of each computer may be different too. Let’s Get to Know the “What are the
Classifications of Computers System“:-
Classification of Computers
We can classify the computers into the following 3 categories:

Classifications of Computers System:-

1. On the Basis of Size and Capacity, [Supercomputer, Mainframe, Mini, and Micro
Computer].
2. On the Basis of Purposes, [General and Special Purpose].
3. On the Basis of Hardware Design and Type [Analog, Digital, and Hybrid Computer].
Table of Contents
Computers on the Basis of Size and Capacity
1. SuperComputer
2. Mainframe Computer
3. Mini Computer
4. Micro Computer
Computers on the Basis Purpose
1. General Purpose
2. Special Purpose
Computers on the Basis of Hardware Design and Data Handling.
1. Analog Computer
2. Digital Computer
3. Hybrid Computer
FAQs

Computers on the Basis of Size and Capacity

1. SuperComputer
A Supercomputer is the very fastest and powerful, and expensive type of computer for
processing data. Supercomputers’ size and storage capacity are also huge (can occupy
huge premises) designed to process vast amounts of data in a short time with high
productivity.
These are specially made to perform multi-specific tasks. Therefore, many CPUs work in
parallel order on these supercomputers. This function of a Supercomputer is called
Multiprocessing or Parallel Processing.

A supercomputer’s design is complicated, like it can be heterogeneous, combining

computers of different architectures, is significantly surpassed most existing personal
computers. This made this machine an ultra-high-performance supercomputer.

Each part of a supercomputer is responsible for its own specific task, such as structuring
and solving the most complex problems requiring an incredible amount of calculations.

Applications: The uses of supercomputers are dedicated to –

 In research and study of energy and nuclear weapons and designing the aircraft,
airplanes, and flight simulators.
 Climate research and Weather Forecasting and Prediction of Natural Disasters.
 Spaceship and Satellite Launching.
 Used in scientific research laboratories.
 Used in Chemical and Biological research and for highly calculation complex tasks.
Examples: IBM Roadburner, IBM Blue Gene, Intel ASI Red. PARAM-1000, and CRAY-XMP-14.
Good to Know ~ World’s first supercomputer is the Control Data Corporation (CDC)
6600 invented by Seymour Cray.
2. Mainframe Computer
Mainframe computers are multi-programming, high-performance computers, and multi-
user, which means they can handle the workload of more than 100 users at a time on the
computer.

The storage capacity of the mainframe is enormous, with a high-speed data process as
well. As well as handling hundreds of input and output devices at a time.

The mainframe is a highly efficient computer capable of simultaneously solving complex

calculations and continuously for a long time. These computers have several
microprocessors that have the ability to function the data at too high performance and
speed.

The mainframe is ahead of our conventional modern Personal computers in almost every
metric. The possibility of their “hot” replacement in the mainframe computer ensures
continuity of operation. And the standard amount of processor utilization effortlessly
exceeds 85% of the total power.

Somehow mainframes can be more powerful than supercomputers because the mainframe
supports many processes simultaneously. On the other hand, supercomputers can run a
single program but faster than a mainframe. In the past, Mainframes requires entire rooms
or even floors of whole buildings for set up.

In today, IBM company is leading the production of mainframe computers.

Mainframe reliability is increased with development in the past 60 years. These computers
can fix most of the hardware and software bugs.

Applications: Uses of Mainframe Computer –

Mainframe computers are mainly used by departmental and commercial organizations like
Banks, Companies, Scientific research centers, and governmental departments like
railways. These computers can work for 24 hours. Hundreds of users can work on these
computations simultaneously.

Using the mainframe completes the tasks, Such as keeping details of payments, research
centres, advertising, sending bills and notices, paying employees, ticket booking,
maintaining details of purchases by users, keeping detailed tax details, etc.

Examples: IBM Es000 series, ICL39 Series, and CDC 6600.

3. Mini Computer
Minicomputer is a digital and multi-user computer system with the connection of more
than one CPU. Thus, many people can work on these computers simultaneously instead of
a single person. Also, it can process with other accessories like a printer, plotter, etc.

Minicomputers are the medium type of computers that have more functionality power and
are expensive than microcomputers. On the other hand, the size, storage, and speed of
minicomputers are large but less than the mainframe and supercomputers.

Minicomputers are made for performing multiple computing tasks at a single point of time,
instead of assigning many microcomputers for a single task, which will be time-consuming
and expensive.

In general, a minicomputer is a multi-threaded system (several processes at a time) capable

of supporting from one to up to 200 users simultaneously: these computers are currently
used to store large databases, multi-user applications, and the automation industry.

Applications: The uses of Minicomputers –

The minicomputers are used as real-time applications in Industries, bookings, and Research
Centres. Banks also use minicomputers for preparing payroll for employees’ salaries,
records, tracking of financial accounts, etc. As well as in the field of Higher Education and
Engineering.
Examples: PDP 11 and IBM (8000 Series).
Good to Know ~ PDP-1 was the world’s first minicomputer, small and interactive,
introduced in 1960 by the Digital Equipment Corporation.
4. Micro Computer
Today we are using many computers at home is also the most common microcomputer.
With this invention of the microprocessors in the year 1970, it became possible to use
computers for people personally at a low cost and reasonable price known as
Digital Personal Computer.

The design of microcomputers is minimal in size and storage capacity. These computers
consist of many parts like Input and Output devices, Software, operating systems, networks,
and Servers all these need to connect to form a complete Personal Digital Computer.

There is not only a PC or laptop are examples of microcomputers. Other examples of the
microcomputer are smartphone, Tablet, PDA, server, palmtop, and workstation.
This can be installed in any work area or even at home for personal use.

The primary purpose of microcomputers is to keep and process the everyday tasks and
needs of the people. Only one person can work on a single PC at a time, but its operating
system is multitasking. The PC can be connected to the Internet to take benefits and
enhance the user experience.
The development of multimedia, small equipment, optimized energy consumption, and
the LAN made the microcomputers increase in demand for every field.
The increase in the demand and need for microcomputers between the people leads to
the tremendous development of each part related to the microcomputers.

Applications: The uses of MicroComputer –

PC is being widely used in many fields like home, office, data collection, business,
education, entertainment, publishing, etc.
It keeps the details and prepares letters for correspondence in small businesses, creating
bills, accounting, word processing, and operation of the filing systems in a large company.

Some of the major PC manufacturers are IBM, Lenovo, Apple, HCL, HP, etc.

Examples: Desktops, tablets, smartphones, and Laptops.

The fast development of microcomputers with technology. As a result, today,
microcomputers coming in the form of a book, a phone, and even a clock in the name of a
digital clock.

The above is the classification of computers according to Size and Capacity!

 Related: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Computer.

 Computers on the Basis Purpose
1. General Purpose
General computers can do various everyday tasks such as writing a word processing letter,
Document preparation, recording, financial analysis, Printing documents, creating
databases, and calculations with accuracy and consistency.

The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers are mainly less. The ability of these
computers is limited in performing specialized tasks. Still, it has versatility and useful for
serving people’s basic needs at home or in the workplace in the environment.
Examples:
Desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets are used on daily basis for general purposes.

2. Special Purpose
These computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized task. The size, storage
capacity, and cost of such computers mainly depend on the nature and size of the work.
The function of these computers is consistent with any particular task.

The special computer needs specific processors and input and devices to conduct work
efficiently.
These computers are used for special purposes in weather forecasting, space research,
agriculture, engineering, meteorology, satellite operation, traffic control, and research in
chemical sciences.

Examples:
 Automatic teller machines (ATM),
 Washing machines,
 Surveillance equipment,
 Weather-forecasting simulators,
 Traffic-control computers,
 Defense-oriented applications,
 Oil-exploration systems,
 Military planes controlling computers.
The above is the classification of computers according to Purpose!

Computers on the Basis of Hardware Design and Data Handling.

1. Analog Computer
An analog computer performs tasks using continuous data (the physical amount that
changes continuously). Analog computers are used primarily to measure physical units like
the voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature, and convert them into digits.
It is also used to measure and perform arithmetic calculations of numbers, the length of an
object, or the amount of voltage that passes through a point in an electrical circuit. Analog
computers obtain all their data from some measurement way.

Analog computers are mainly used in the fields of science and engineering. Analog
computers are slow and equipped to measure things rather than countable or check.

The efficiency of this computer increases when we get the result of the data in graphs, etc.
Analog Computers cannot store statistics.

They are used in the fields of technology, science, research, engineering, etc. Because
quantities like voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature are used more in these
areas, these types of computers give only approximate estimates.

Examples:
An analog computer installed on a petrol pump measures the amount of petrol coming out
of the pump and appears in liters. And calculates its value. These quantities vary
continuously while measuring the amount, such as the temperature of a human body
changes consistently.

A simple clock, the vehicle’s speedometer, Voltmeter, etc. are examples of analog
computing.

2. Digital Computer
As its name suggests, a digital computer represents the digital computer’s letters,
numerical values, or any other special symbols. This computer is the computer that
calculates the number for processing the data.
They run on electronic signs, and the binary numeral method Binary System 0 or 1 is used
for calculation. Their speed is fast.

It can perform arithmetic operations such as addition, occurrence, subtraction,

multiplication, or division and all types of logical(mathematical) operations. Today, most of
the computers available in the market are digital computers.
Digital computers are built to bring the solution of equations to an almost unlimited
precision, but in a bit slow manner compared to analog computers. To some extent, they all
have similar components for receiving, processing, sorting, and transmitting data and use a
relatively small number of essential functions to perform their tasks.
Digital computers use discrete electrical signals for operation rather than continuous
electrical signals as analog computers have, making them the most common form of
computers today because of their versatility, speed, and power.
The desktop or Laptop at our home is one the common and best exam
Other Examples of Digital Computers
 Personal Desktop Computers,
 Calculators,
 Laptops, Smartphones, and Tablets,
 Digital watch,
 Accounting machines,
 Workstations,
 Digital clock, etc.

 Recommended: Analog vs Digital Computer (Difference Between Explained.)

3. Hybrid Computer
A hybrid computer is a combined complex computer unit built using both analog and
digital properties and united by a single control system. The purpose of designing hybrid
computers is to provide functions and features that can be found on both analog and digital
devices.

The aim behind creating a hybrid computer is to create a kind of work unit that offers the
best of both types of computers. Hybrid computers are extremely fast when driving
equations, even when those calculations are incredibly complex.

As both the properties of a computer consist in the form of a single hybrid computer made
possible to solve too complex calculations or problems, at the same time, these devices are
not only too expensive but also able to solve complex issues a bit fastly.

Incorporating the properties of both(analog and digital) computers into hybrid computers
makes it possible to resolve more difficult equations immediately.
The analog computer systems solve the equation process immediately. But it is not
necessary that those solutions would be completely accurate.

Here, the digital computer system gives 100 % correct solutions, but it takes a bit of time in
the calculation. Therefore, Hybrid computers are made to overcome the flaws of both these
analog and digital systems.

Applications of hybrid Computer:

Hybrid computers are most commonly used in vast industries, research centres,
organizations, and manufacturing firms (where many equations need to be solved).
Also, the solutions and uses of hybrid computers have proved to be much more detailed,
accurate, and useful. Hybrid computers are used in scientific calculations, for nations’
defence and radar systems as well.

Examples:
Auto Gasoline pump is the example of a hybrid computer, this device is installed on a petrol
pump do not only to measure the amount of petrol but also to calculates its value, in this
way It is capable of both functions i.e hybrid function.