Information Technology -Types of Computers

Types of Computers There are many types of computers in the world today. Broad categories exist which classify computers on the basis of system performance. Computers have categorised based on physical size, use, location and cost.

Personal Computer Other names for the Personal Computer include: PC Microcomputer Desktop computer

Personal Computer Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s. A small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user. In price, personal computers range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. All are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip.

Personal Computer

Personal Computer - Uses 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

Laptops laptop computer, usually called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices, and at meetings.

Laptops A laptop typically weighs less than 5 pounds and is 3 inches or less in thickness. Among the best-known makers of laptop computers are IBM, Apple, Compaq, Dell, HP, Sony, Acer and Toshiba.

Laptops Laptop computers generally cost more than desktop computers with the same capabilities because they are more difficult to design and manufacture.

Minicomputers Minicomputers are computers that are somewhere in between a microcomputer and a mainframe computer. In times past, the minicomputer was typically a stand alone device that was ideal for use by small and mid-sized businesses who needed more power and memory than could be obtained with microcomputers, but did not have a need for the resources provided by mainframes. More recently, a minicomputer is thought of in terms of being a server that is part of a larger network.

Mainframes Mainframes are powerful computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing.

Mainframes A mainframe is a high-performance computer used for large-scale computing purposes that require greater availability and security than a smaller-scale machine can offer They are very expensive

Mainframes

Supercomputers A supercomputer is a computer that is among the largest, fastest or most powerful of the computers available As of this writing (late 2007) the fastest supercomputers operate on the order of more than 200 teraflops (that's computer lingo for trillions of operations per second)

Supercomputer They are used for: Number crunching Scientific simulations Research Industries such as space exploration, medicine and energy industry

Supercomputer

Tablet PC A tablet personal computer (tablet PC) is a portable personal computer equipped with a touchscreen as a primary input device designed to be operated and owned by an individual

Tablet PC Unlike laptops, tablet personal computers may not be equipped with a keyboard, in which case they use a virtual onscreen substitute. All tablet personal computers have a wireless adapter for Internet and local network connection.

Tablet PC Software applications for tablet PCs include office suites, web browsers, games and a variety of applications. Since portable computer hardware components are low powered, demanding PC applications may not provide an ideal experience to the user

Tablet PC

Embedded computers You will find them in all kind of applications that surround us. Washing machines, ticket machines at the Movietowne, camera's, cars, motors, sewing machines, clocks. Everywhere needing something to regulate, control of check something.

Embedded computers It is a special-purpose computer used inside a device that is usually dedicated to specific functions

Home Work Read pages 9 to 10 (old text) Read pages 7 to 8 (new text) Generations of Computers Answer the following questions (a) List the components that formed the basis of the first four generations of computers (b) What are some of the expected features of fifth generation computers?