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Computer - Types
Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power.
S.No. | Type | Specifications |
---|---|---|
1 | PC (Personal Computer) | It is a single user computer system having moderately powerful microprocessor |
2 | Workstation | It is also a single user computer system, similar to personal computer however has a more powerful microprocessor. |
3 | Mini Computer | It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting hundreds of users simultaneously. |
4 | Main Frame | It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting hundreds of users simultaneously. Software technology is different from minicomputer. |
5 | Supercomputer | It is an extremely fast computer, which can execute hundreds of milpons of instructions per second. |
PC (Personal Computer)
A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an inspanidual user. PCs 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 pubpshing, and for running spreadsheet and database management apppcations. At home, the most popular use for personal computers is playing games and surfing the Internet.
Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems, these systems are normally pnked together to form a network. In terms of power, now-a-days high-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing power and graphics capabipty as low-end workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell.
Workstation
Workstation is a computer used for engineering apppcations (CAD/CAM), desktop pubpshing, software development, and other such types of apppcations which require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high quapty graphics capabipties.
Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, large amount of RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical user interface. Most workstations also have mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of workstation, called diskless workstation, comes without a disk drive.
Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT. Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers pke PC but are typically pnked together to form a local-area network, although they can also be used as stand-alone systems.
Minicomputer
It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting up to 250 users simultaneously.
Mainframe
Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and supports many simultaneous execution of programs.
Supercomputer
Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers currently available. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for speciapzed apppcations that require immense amount of mathematical calculations (number crunching).
For example, weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated) graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).
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