TYPES OF COMPUTER

-ROHAN SHUKLA
9B
Index
 Introduction
 Computer Types
 Analog Computer
 Digital Computer
 Hybrid Computer
 Super Computer
 Mainframe
 Workstation
 Micro Computer
 Personal Computer Types
Introduction
Computers can perform complex and repetitive
procedures quickly , precisely and reliably. Modern
computers are electronic and digital. The actual
machinery (wires, transistors, and circuits) is called
hardware; the instructions and data are called software.
All general-purpose computers require the following
hardware components:
 Central processing unit (CPU): The heart of the computer,
this is the component that actually executes instructions
organized in programs ("software") which tell the
computer what to do.
 Memory (fast, expensive, short-term memory): Enables a
computer to store, at least temporarily, data, programs,
and intermediate results.
 Mass storage device (slower, cheaper, long-term memory):
Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of
data and programs between jobs. Common mass storage
devices include disk drives and tape drives.
 Input device: Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device
is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a
computer.
 Output device: A display screen, printer, or other device that
lets you see what the computer has accomplished.

In addition to these components, many others make it

possible for the basic components to work together
efficiently. For example, every computer requires a bus
that transmits data from one part of the computer to
another.
Computer Types
 Analog Computers
 Digital Computers Digital
Analog
ComputeHybrid
 Hybrid Computers Compute r Compute
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Types
of
Comp
uter
Analog Computers

 Analog Computer is a computing device that works on

continuous range of values. The results given by the
analog
computers will only be approximate since they deal with
quantities that vary continuously. It generally deals with
physical
variables such as voltage, pressure, temperature, speed,
etc.
Digital Computer

 On the other hand a digital computer operates on digital

data such as numbers. It uses binary number system in
which
there are only two digits 0 and 1. Each one is called a bit.
The digital computer is designed using digital circuits in
which there are two levels for an input or output signal.
These two levels are known as logic 0 and logic 1. Digital
Computers can give more accurate and faster results.
Digital computer is well suited for solving complex
problems in engineering and technology. Hence digital
computers
have an increasing use in the field of design, research
and data processing.
Based on the purpose, Digital computers can be further
classified as,
General Purpose Computers
 Special purpose computer is one that is built for a
specific application. General purpose computers are used
for any
type of applications. They can store different programs
and do the jobs as per the instructions specified on those
programs. Most of the computers that we see today, are
general purpose computers.
Hybrid Computers

A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of

analog and digital computers. It is mostly used for automatic
operations of complicated physical processes and
machines. Now-a-days analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog
converters are used for transforming the data into suitable
form for either type of computation.
For example, in hospital’s ICU, analog devices might
measure the patients temperature, blood pressure and other
vital
signs. These measurements which are in analog might then
be converted into numbers and supplied to digital
components in the system. These components are used to
monitor the patient’s vital sign and send signals if any
abnormal readings are detected. Hybrid computers are
mainly used for specialized tasks.
 Types Of Computers based on
Cofiguration
 Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A
workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more
powerful microprocessor and, in general, a higher-quality
monitor.
 Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of supporting
up to hundreds of users simultaneously.
 Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of
supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
 Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can
perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
 Micro Computers
  Super Computers :
Super computer is a broad term for one of the fastest
computers currently available. Supercomputers are very
expensive and are employed for specialized applications
that require immense amounts of mathematical
calculations (number crunching). For example, weather
forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of
supercomputers scientific simulations, (animated)
graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy
research, electronic design, and analysis of geological
data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting). Perhaps the best
known supercomputer manufacturer is Cray Research.
 As of July 2009, the IBM Roadrunner, located at Los
Alamos National Laboratory, is the fastest super computer
in the world.
  Mainframe
 Mainframe was a term originally referring to the cabinet
containing the central processor unit or "main frame" of a
room-filling Stone Age batch machine. After the emergence of
smaller "minicomputer" designs in the early 1970s, the
traditional big iron machines were described as "mainframe
computers" and eventually just as mainframes. Nowadays a
Mainframe is a very large and expensive computer capable of
supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users
simultaneously. The chief difference between a supercomputer
and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its
power into executing a few programs as fast as possible,
whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many
programs concurrently. In some ways, mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a
single program faster than a mainframe. The distinction
between small mainframes and minicomputers is vague,
depending really on how the manufacturer wants to market its
machines.
 Minicomputer
 It is a midsize computer. In the past decade, the
distinction between large minicomputers and small
mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction
between small minicomputers and workstations. But in
general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system
capable of supporting from up to 200 users
simultaneously.
 Workstation
 It is a type of computer used for engineering applications
(CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software development, and
other types of applications that require a moderate amount
of computing power and relatively high quality graphics
capabilities. Workstations generally come with a large,
high-resolution graphics screen, at large amount of RAM,
built-in network support, and a graphical user interface.
Most workstations also have a mass storage device such as
a disk drive, but a special type of workstation, called a
diskless workstation, comes without a disk drive. The most
common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and
Windows NT. Like personal computers, most workstations
are single-user computers. However, workstations are
typically linked together to form a local-area network,
although they can also be used as stand-alone systems.
 N.B.: In networking, workstation refers to any computer
connected to a local-area network. It could be a
workstation or a personal computer.
  Micro Computer
 Personal Computer:
 It can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed
for an individual user. In price, personal computers range anywhere from
a few hundred pounds to over five thousand pounds. All are based on
the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an
entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word
processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet
and database management applications. At home, the most popular use
for personal computers is for playing games and recently for surfing the
Internet

 Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s. One of the

first and most popular personal computers was the Apple II,
introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer. During the late 1970s and
early 1980s, new models and competing operating systems
seemed to appear daily. Then, in 1981, IBM entered the fray with
its first personal computer, known as the IBM PC. The IBM PC
quickly became the personal computer of choice, and most other
personal computer manufacturers fell by the wayside. P.C. is short
for personal computer or IBM PC
 One of the few companies to survive IBM's onslaught
was Apple Computer, which remains a major player in the
personal computer marketplace. Other companies
adjusted to IBM's dominance by building IBM clones,
computers that were internally almost the same as the
IBM PC, but that cost less. Because IBM clones used the
same microprocessors as IBM PCs, they were capable of
running the same software. Over the years, IBM has lost
much of its influence in directing the evolution of PCs.
Therefore after the release of the first PC by IBM the term
PC increasingly came to mean IBM or IBM-compatible
personal computers, to the exclusion of other types of
personal computers, such as Macintoshes. In recent years,
the term PC has become more and more difficult to pin
down. In general, though, it applies to any personal
computer based on an Intel microprocessor, or on an
Intel-compatible microprocessor. For nearly every other
component, including the operating system, there are
several options, all of which fall under the rubric of PC.
 Today, the world of personal computers is basically
divided between Apple Macintoshes and PCs. The
principal characteristics of personal computers are that
they are single-user systems and are based on
microprocessors. However, although personal computers
are designed as single-user systems, it is common to link
them together to form a network. In terms of power, there
is great variety. At the high end, the distinction between
personal computers and workstations has faded. High-end
models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing
power and graphics capability as low-end workstations by
Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and DEC.
 Personal Computer Types:
 Actual personal computers can be generally classified by
size and chassis / case. The chassis or case is the metal
frame that serves as the structural support for electronic
components. Every computer system requires at least one
chassis to house the circuit boards and wiring. The chassis
also contains slots for expansion boards. If you want to
insert more boards than there are slots, you will need an
expansion chassis, which provides additional slots. There
are two basic flavors of chassis designs–desktop models
and tower models–but there are many variations on these
two basic types. Then come the portable computers that
are computers small enough to carry. Portable computers
include notebook and subnotebook computers, hand-held
computers, palmtops, and PDAs.
 Tower
Palmtop
Model

Handheld
PDA Personal Computer
Compute
r

Desktop Subnotebook
Model Computer

Notebook Laptop
Computer Computer
 Tower Model

The term refers to a computer in which the power

supply, motherboard, and mass storage devices are
stacked on top of each other in a cabinet. This is in
contrast to desktop models, in which these components
are housed in a more compact box. The main advantage
of tower models is that there are fewer space
constraints, which makes installation of additional
storage devices easier.
 Desktop Model
A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a
desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top of the
computer. Desktop model computers are broad and low,
whereas tower model computers are narrow and tall.
Because of their shape, desktop model computers are
generally limited to three internal mass storage devices.
Desktop models designed to be very small are
sometimes referred to as slimline models.
 Notebook Computer:
An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook
computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are
small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size,
the principal difference between a notebook computer
and a personal computer is the display screen. Notebook
computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-
panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-
bulky display screen. The quality of notebook display
screens varies considerably. In terms of computing power,
modern notebook computers are nearly equivalent to
personal computers. They have the same CPUs, memory
capacity, and disk drives. However, all this power in a
small package is expensive. Notebook computers cost
about twice as much as equivalent regular-sized
computers. Notebook computers come with battery packs
that enable you to run them without plugging them in.
However, the batteries need to be recharged every few
hours.
Laptop Computer:

A small, portable computer -- small enough that it can sit

on your lap. Nowadays, laptop computers are more
frequently called notebook computers.
 Subnotebook Computer :
A portable computer that is slightly lighter and smaller
than a full-sized notebook computer. Typically,
subnotebook computers have a smaller keyboard and
screen, but are otherwise equivalent to notebook
computers
 Handheld Computer :
A portable computer that is small enough to be held in
one’s hand. Although extremely convenient to carry,
handheld computers have not replaced notebook
computers because of their small keyboards and screens.
The most popular hand-held computers are those that are
specifically designed to provide PIM (personal information
manager) functions, such as a calendar and address book.
Some manufacturers are trying to solve the small
keyboard problem by replacing the keyboard with an
electronic pen. However, these pen-based devices rely on
handwriting recognition technologies, which are still in
their infancy. Hand-held computers are also called PDAs,
palmtops and pocket computers.
 Palmtop :
A small computer that literally fits in your palm.
Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are severely
limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as
phone books and calendars. Palmtops that use a pen
rather than a keyboard for input are often called hand-
held computers or PDAs. Because of their small size,
most palmtop computers do not include disk drives.
However, many contain PCMCIA slots in which you can
insert disk drives, modems, memory, and other devices.
Palmtops are also called PDAs, hand-held computers and
pocket computers.
PDA
Short for personal digital assistant, a handheld device
that combines computing, telephone/fax, and networking
features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone,
fax sender, and personal organizer. Unlike portable
computers, most PDAs are pen-based, using a stylus
rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they
also incorporate handwriting recognition features. Some
PDAs can also react to voice input by using voice
recognition technologies. The field of PDA was pioneered
by Apple Computer, which introduced the Newton
MessagePad in 1993. Shortly thereafter, several other
manufacturers offered similar products. To date, PDAs
have had only modest success in the marketplace, due to
their high price tags and limited applications. However,
many experts believe that PDAs will eventually become
common gadgets.
PDAs are also called palmtops, hand-held computers and
pocket computers.
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