Group members: Nicola McLeod Natalia Mullings TYPES OF COMPUTERS Group members: Nicola McLeod Natalia Mullings

What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or "data." It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You can use a computer to type documents, send email, and browse the internet. You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database management, presentations, games, and more.

There are four (4) types of computers that were designed by mankind There are four (4) types of computers that were designed by mankind. These include: Supercomputers Mainframe computers Minicomputers Microcomputers

Supercomputers A supercomputer is a computer that performs at or near the currently highest operational rate for computers. 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).  It was first created in 1960.

SUPERCOMPUTERS Decreasing Processing Time Solving New Problems Advantages Disadvantages Decreasing Processing Time Solving New Problems Lowering Costs Improving Safety High Capacity Storage and Bandwidth Maintenance and Support Expensive Processing Time Advantages The primary advantage that supercomputers offer is decreased processing time. The sheer processing power of supercomputers means that they can be used to do things that ordinary computers simply couldn't handle. For example, weather forecasting is highly complex and requires extremely sophisticated algorithms. Only supercomputers have the ability to perform these calculations in a timely fashion. By decreasing the amount of time needed to complete processing tasks, supercomputers can lower costs, saving money in the long run through increased efficiency.  Simulations or tests that would be difficult or extremely dangerous in the real world can be performed on a supercomputer instead. For example, nuclear weapons must be tested to make sure that they function. Without supercomputers, the testing process would have to involve detonating a nuclear bomb; computers allow engineers to obtain the same results without running the risks of an actual nuclear explosion. Disadvantages A disadvantage is that supercomputers require massive external storage drives whose bandwidth is fast enough to accommodate the data being analyzed and produced.  Supercomputer systems are built by connecting multiple processing units and can require large rooms to store them. A supercomputer that can simulate the location of potential oil deposits or the progress of various permutations of a hurricane system can cost a lot of money, which could be a disadvantage if your organization must work with a limited budget. Unlike ordinary desktop computers that may finish calculating a problem in a few minutes or overnight, supercomputers work on tasks that require intensive calculations which can take extremely long periods to complete.

Uses A supercomputer is used for: Processing of information on quantum mechanics Large scale weather forecasting Molecular studies Polymer research To solve mathematical problems Wind tunnel research Chemical composition.

Main Frames A data processing system employed mainly in large organizations for various applications, including bulk data processing, process control, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing.

Main Frames Disadvantages Advantages Requires backwards-compatibility with Mainframe Operating Systems. Dedicated staff are needed to run the system. Initial start-up costs can be high, compared to client-server networks - which can start small and be expanded later. A small client-server system might be all you need. By default, there is no geographical distribution built into the system, and this is something that client-server networks are designed for. They can take up a lot of space and require dedicated environmental management, for example, cooling systems. Supports thousands of transactions per second. Can serve thousands of users and applications simultaneously. Able to manage huge amounts of data. More reliable and secure than client-server networks. Backwards compatibility with legacy mainframe software, which is useful if your organization has already invested heavily in mainframe computing. These hefty computers, which are generally stored in a central, climate-controlled location, are capable of supporting numerous network users.

Uses Businesses and large institutions often use mainframe computers as network servers for their personnel workstations. Because of their massive capacity for memory and storage, they are also commonly used as web servers. E-Business and E-Commerce Health Care Military Use Academics and Research

Minicomputers A minicomputer is a type of computer that possesses most of the features and capabilities of a large computer but is smaller in physical size. Minicomputers are mainly used as small or midrange servers operating business and scientific applications. However, the use of the term minicomputer has diminished and has merged with servers.  A minicomputer fills the spaced between the mainframe and microcomputer, and is smaller than the former but larger than the latter. Minicomputers emerged in the mid 1960s and were first developed by IBM Corporation.

Minicomputers Cost Size Probability Advantages Disadvantages Maybe weak in performance Maybe difficult to upgrade

Uses Process Control Data Management Communications Minicomputers were often used in manufacturing sectors for process control. Minicomputers used for data management can be employed to acquire data, as in process control, generate data, or simply as a storage system for information. Minicomputers can be used as a communications tool in a larger system. For instance, if an operation is using both a minicomputer and a larger, central computer or processor, a minicomputer can be used as a portal of communication between the human element and central processor of the system.

Microcomputers A microcomputer is a complete computer on a smaller scale and is generally a synonym for the more common term, personal computer or PCs, a computer designed for an individual. A microcomputer contains a microprocessor (a central processing unit on a microchip), memory in the form of read-only memory and random access memory, I/O ports and a bus or system of interconnecting wires, housed in a unit that is usually called a motherboard.

Microcomputers Least powerful Negative Physical Aspects Advantages Disadvantages Widely used Research and Information Connections with People Least powerful Negative Physical Aspects Computer Addiction Desktop Notebook or laptop Tablet PC Handheld Nb. types

Uses Home Families use microcomputers for education; software can hold thousands of book volumes worth of information. Businesses Took a huge leap forward in bookkeeping, inventory and communication when microcomputers were made readily available. Medical Uses The first microcomputer (dubbed the "Sac State 8008") was built specifically for storing medical records. Before microcomputers were available, medical records were stored in paper form. Microcomputers make it possible to download patients' medical histories.

Now let’s recap!!! What is a Computer? List the types of computers Give a disadvantage and an advantage of each.

Let’s Play!! Which of the following is not a type of computer? Supercomputer Microcomputer Printers

What is another name for microcomputers? Personal computers Mainframes None of the above

References http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/1 http://jm.infodora.com/web?ts=go&q=type+of+computer+systems http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~fgandon/lecture/uk1999/computers_types/