TYPES OF COMPUTER

Since the advent of the first computer different types and sizes of computers are offering different services. Computers can be as big as occupying a large building and as small as a laptop or a micro-controller in mobile & embedded systems.

The four basic types of computers are as under:

1. Supercomputer
2. Mainframe Computer
3. Minicomputer
4. Microcomputer

Supercomputer

The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing are the Supercomputers. These are specialized and task specific computers used by large organizations. These computers are used for research and exploration purposes, like NASA uses supercomputers for launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space exploration purpose.

Uses of Supercomputers

In Pakistan Supercomputers are used by Educational Institutes like NUST for research purposes. Pakistan Atomic Energy commission & Heavy Industry Taxila uses supercomputers for Research purposes. 

Space Exploration

Supercomputers are used to study the origin of the universe, the dark-matters. For these studies scientist use IBM’s powerful supercomputer “Roadrunner” at National Laboratory Los Alamos.

Earthquake studies

Supercomputers are used to study the Earthquakes phenomenon. Besides that supercomputers are used for natural resources exploration, like natural gas, petroleum, coal, etc.

Weather Forecasting

Supercomputers are used for weather forecasting, and to study the nature and extent of Hurricanes, Rainfalls, windstorms, etc.

Nuclear weapons testing

Supercomputers are used to run weapon simulation that can test the Range, accuracy & impact of Nuclear weapons.

Mainframe computer

Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations uses Mainframes to run their business operations. The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms because of its size. Super-computers are the fastest computers with large data storage capacity, Mainframes can also process & store large amount of data. Banks educational institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about their customers, students & insurance policy holders.

Minicomputer

Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”. These are small machines and can be accommodated on a disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as super-computers & Mainframes. These computers are not designed for a single user. Individual departments of a large company or organizations use Mini-computers for specific purposes. For example, a production department can use Mini-computers for monitoring certain production process.

Popular Minicomputers

• K-202
• Texas Instrument TI-990
• SDS-92
• IBM Midrange computers

Microcomputer

Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are all types of microcomputers. The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing computers. These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers. The Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education and work purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony & Toshiba.

Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation system of a car, Netbooks, Notebooks, PDA’s, Tablet PC’s, Smartphones, Calculators are all type of Microcomputers.

Computer Components

Definition:

"All the different pieces of electrical hardware that join together to make up the complete computer system."

LIST OF COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE;

Motherboard

CPU

RAM

BIOS (ROM)

Graphics Card

Peripherals

Storage Devices

Input Devices

Input devices are pieces of hardware that get raw data into the computer ready for processing.

Processing involves taking raw data and turning it into more useful information.

Input devices fall into two categories:

Manual Input Devices - Need to be operated by a human to input information

Automatic Input Devices - Can input information on their own.

Input Devices are;

MANUAL INPUT DEVICES

Keyboard

Mouse

Microphne

Scanner

Numeric Keypad

Light-Pen

Touch-Screen

Digital Camera

Web Cam

AUTOMATIC INPUT DEVICES

Optical Reader

Optical Character Reader

Barcode Reader

Chip and Pin Reader

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

Magnetic Stripe Reader

OUTPUT DEVICES ARE;

MONITOR

PRINTER

PLOTTER

SPEAKER

PROJECTOR

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