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Computer is an programmed electronic machine which takes raw data as input, process them as instruction provided by user and gives out meaningful result. Following are the types of computer:
Summarization of types of computer
- Based on size/speed
- Microcomputer
- Smallest in size
- Limited speed
- Single user
- General purpose computer
- Also called PC (Personal Computer)
- Example: Desktop,laptop
- Minicomputer
- Larger and faster than microcomputer
- Multiuser
- Used for desktop publishing
- Example: PDP 1, PDP 8, PDP 11
- Mainframe Computer
- Largest computer
- Faster than minicomputer
- Multiuser
- Large data processing
- Used for centralized database
- Example: UNIVAC, IBM 370, IBM 1401
- Supercomputer
- Fastest and most powerful computer
- Multiuser
- Used for air craft design, rocket launchhing, weather forecasting, erc.
- Example: Cray 1, Cray XMP, PARAM
- Based on data/working principle
- Analog computer
- Works on continuously variable data
- Measures physical quantities(Temperature, pressure, speed, voltage)
- Faster than digital computer
- Example: mercury thermometer, speedometer, voltmeter, etc
- Digital computer
- Based on binary digits (0 and 1)
- Works on discrete data
- More accurate than analog computer
- Example: modern computer like desktop, laptop, mobile
- Hybrid computer
- Combination of Analog and digital computer
- Works on both continuous and discrete data
- Faster and accurate
- Used in hospital, jet planes, industries, scientific research
- First digital hybrid computer: Hycomp 250
- Example: ECG, CT scan, hybrid watch, modem
- Based on brand
- IBM PC
- Developed by IBM computer
- First Personal Computer (PC) manufacturer company
- Also known as branded computer
- IBM compatible
- Developed by other companies based on design and architecture of IBM computer
- Also known as Assemble computer
- Macintosh computer
- Developed by Apple Company with its own design and architecture
- Based on Model
- XT computer
- Doesn't suppoert GUI based operating system
- Processing speed 4.77 MHz
- Example: computer's used processor like intel 8080, 8086, 8088
- AT computers
- Supports GUI based OS
- Processing speed 2 GHz
- Example: Computer used processor like 80286, 80386, 80486, intel pentium series
- PS/2 computer
- Advanced version of AT computers
- Mostly used in laptops
On the basis of size
1. Microcomputer or Personal Computer(PC)
- The smallest computer that uses microprocessor as CPU is microprocessor.
- Computer equipped with keyboard and monitor is PC.
- The PC can be defined as small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for individual users.
- PC is used for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, spreadsheet, DBMS application, playing games and for surfing the internet.
- The PCs are developed by Apple/Macintosh PCs and IBM PCs.
2. Minicomputer
- Minicomputer also called as a mid-range computer is smaller, less expensive and less powerful.
- Minicomputer is a medium sized multi-user computer.
- Minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from up to 200 users simultaneously.
- It has centralized system of computing and support up to 50 terminals.
- Minicomputers are suitable for mid-range organizations.
- This computers are developed by DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation), IBM, HP, etc.
- Minicomputer can do time-sharing, batch processing and online processing.
3. Mainframe computer
- Mainframe computers are multi-user, multi-programming and high performance computers.
- Mainframe computer is also referred as centralized system of computing and information could be shared among the users.
- It is used in government agencies, banking, airline and railway reservation system, insurance companies, research center, etc.
- Examples: CDC 6600 and IBM E5000 series.
Advantages
- High response time
- Increased processing power
- Can be divided into different logical partitions i.e. virtual machines
- Reliability, availability and serviceability(RAS)
- Provide more security for protecting organization data.
- High-end scalability
- Continuing compatibility
- Long lasting performance
Disadvantages
- High skilled people are required to manage these systems
- Such computers have no good GUI
- Cost of this system is expensive
- Large in size as compared to PC
- Due to high performance, it need cool place where they do not heat up quickly.
4. Super computer
- The fastest computer in the world that can process a significant amount of data very quickly.
- The performance is measured in FLOPS (Floating-Point Operating per Second) instead of MIPS.
- It handles those applications, which requires the real-time processing.
- Also known as Number Crunchier(Large number calculation)
- Used for scientific simulation and research such as weather forecasting, meteorology, nuclear energy research, physics and chemistry.
- Also used to interpret new diseases and predict illness behavior and treatment.
- Used for military for testing new air craft, tanks & weapons and also use to understand effect on soldiers and war and also for encrypting the data.
- Scientists use them to test the impact of nuclear weapon detonation.
- Hollywood uses supercomputer for creation of animation.
- In entertainment, supercomputers are used for online gaming.
- Examples: CRAY-1, Deep Blue, CYBER 205, CRAY-2, PARAM, FUGAKU, etc.
On the basis of data/working principle
1. Analog computer
- The computer which is used to process analog data in the form of continuous data like signals, frequencies.
- Analog computer work with continuously varying signals such as electrical voltages, currents, pressure, temperature, time and gears.
- Analog computer performs operation on data that are in continuous variable.
- Analog computers are widely used to work on continuous system such as operation of aircraft, nuclear power plants and industrial chemical process.
- It is also used to for process control application, equation solution, etc.
- Analog computers store data in a continuous form of physical quantities and perform calculation with the help of measures.
- Examples: Thermometer, speedometer, seismograph, voltmeter, pressure gauge, odometer, ammeter, cosmic engine, Pascaline, Stepped Reckoner, analog clock, flight simulator, tide predictors, etc.
2. Digital computer
- The computer which perform operation on binary digits or capable of solving problem by processing information in discrete from are digital computer.
- Digital computers are the most common types of computers used today and are known for their versatility and ability to perform a wide range of tasks.
- A programmable machine which reads the binary data passed as instructions, processes this binary data and displays a calculated digital output.
- Digital computer gives an accurate result.
- Used to run many things such as spacecraft, factories, health care system, business, bank, insurance, national defense, etc.
- Examples: IBM PC, MAC, Palmtop, laptop, mobile, PDA, etc.
3. Hybrid computer
- Hybrid computer is the combination of both analog and digital computer’s feature. This computer can perform operation of both analog and digital computer.
- First desktop hybrid computer: Hycomp 250, released by Packard Bell in 1961.
- Hybrid computers are fast like analog computers and have memory and accuracy like digital computers. So, it has the ability to process both continuous and discrete data.
- Hybrid computers have analog to digital and digital to analog converter so data can be converted from continuous data to discrete data and vice versa.
- Useful for application that require real-time processing.
- Used in hospital, jet planes, industries, scientific calculation, etc.
- Examples: modem, hybrid watch, gasoline station, ultrasound machine, electrocardiogram machine, monitoring machine, etc.
On the basis of brand
1. IBM PC
- IBM PC is the world’s number one and oldest computer manufacturing company of USA which was established in 1924.
- It is also known as branded computers as all the parts of this computer are manufactured by IBM Company itself.
- PC is the most important type of microcomputer system.The microcomputer manufactured by IBM PC is called IBM PC.
- The computers produced by this company are original, reliable, durable and expensive.
- Most commonly it’s product are used in professional and scientific problem.
2. IBM Compatible
- The computers that have some functional characteristics and principles of IBM computer are called IBM compatibles.
- The entire computer manufactured by another companies rather than IBM company are known as IBM compatible.
- It is also called assembled PC as parts of different companies are assembled to make the computer.
- They are less powerful, less expensive and less durable than IBM branded PCs.
- They are most popular computers in the world today. They are cheaper and their pars are easily available in market.
- IBM compatible are duplicate or assembled computer.
3. Apple/Macintosh Computer
- Apple Corporation is also one of the largest computer manufacturing companies in the USA (established in 1976). All the computers that are manufactured by Apple Corporation, USA are known as Apple/Macintosh Computers.
- This computer’s internal architecture is entirely different from IBM computers, in terms of both hardware and software.
- This company began producing a new brand of computer in 1984 under the name of Macintosh.
- These computers use their own software and hardware. MacOS is the name of the operating system created by the Apple Company for the Macintosh.
- Example: Software developed for apple computer can’t run on IBM computers and vice versa. They are popularly used in desktop publishing (DTP) houses as they provide better quality of graphic output.
On the basis of model
1. Extended Technology (XT) computer
The extended technology computers used 8006, 8008, 8086, 8088 processors. The period of these computers was from 1975 to 1982. These processors had 4.77 MHz clock speed. The processors were all 8-bits. It doesn’t support GUI based operating system.These computers are outdated now by two reasons:- They do not support latest software
- They had low processing power as well as low storage capacity.
2. Advanced Technology (AT) computer
With the advent of 80286 microprocessors in 1982, Advanced Technology computer was introduced. The processors were 8-bit and 16-bit. The computers using processors like 80286, 80386 and 80486 are examples of AT computers. AT computer’s period is from 1983 to 1995. With the features of higher speed and larger memory than XT computers they support the latestversions of software.AT computers may have 80286 SX, 80387 DX, 80486 SX, 80486 DX or even Pentium (80586) processors. The AT computers support co-processors that enhance the processing speed and capability of the main processor to perform large and computations within a short period.
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