Types of Computer

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Types of Computer

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Computer: A computer is a machine that can be programmed to manipulate symbols.
Its principal characteristics are:
• It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.
• It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).
• It can quicly store and retrie!e large amounts of data.
"herefore computers can perform complex and repetiti!e procedures quicly# precisely
and reliably. $odern computers are electronic and digital. "he actual machinery (wires#
transistors# and circuits) is called hardware% the instructions and data are called software
"&'() *+ C*$',"(-)
Computers can be classified based on their principles of operation or on their
configuration. .y configuration# we mean the si/e# speed of doing computation and
storage capacity of a computer.
"ypes of Computers based on 'rinciples of *peration
"here are three different types of computers according to the principles of operation.
"hose three types of computers are
• Analog Computers
• 0igital Computers
• 1ybrid Computers
Analog Computers: Analog Computer is a computing de!ice that wors on continuous
range of !alues. "he results gi!en by the analog computers will only be approximate
since they deal with quantities that !ary continuously. It generally deals with physical
!ariables such as !oltage# pressure# temperature# speed# etc.
Digital Computers: *n the other hand a digital computer operates on digital data such as
numbers. It uses binary number system in which there are only two digits 2 and 3. (ach
one is called a bit.
"he digital computer is designed using digital circuits in which there are two le!els for an
input or output signal. "hese two le!els are nown as logic 2 and logic 3. 0igital
Computers can gi!e more accurate and faster results.
0igital computer is well suited for sol!ing complex problems in engineering and
technology. 1ence digital computers ha!e an increasing use in the field of design#
research and data processing.
.ased on the purpose# 0igital computers can be further classified as#
• 4eneral 'urpose Computers
• )pecial 'urpose Computers
)pecial purpose computer is one that is built for a specific application. 4eneral purpose
computers are used for any type of applications. "hey can store different programs and
do the 5obs as per the instructions specified on those programs. $ost of the computers
that we see today# are general purpose computers.
Hybrid Computers: A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and
digital computers. It is mostly used for automatic operations of complicated physical
processes and machines. 6ow-a-days analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog con!erters
are used for transforming the data into suitable form for either type of computation.
+or example# in hospital7s IC,# analog de!ices might measure the patients temperature#
blood pressure and other !ital signs. "hese measurements which are in analog might then
be con!erted into numbers and supplied to digital components in the system. "hese
components are used to monitor the patient7s !ital sign and send signals if any abnormal
readings are detected. 1ybrid computers are mainly used for speciali/ed tass.
Types of Computers based on Configuration
"here are four different types of computers when we classify them based on their
performance and capacity. "he four types are
1. Super Computers
2. Mainframe Computers
3. Mini Computers
4. Miro Computers
Super Computers: 8hen we tal about types of computers# the first type that comes to
our mind would be )uper computers. "hey are the best in terms of processing capacity
and also the most expensi!e ones. "hese computers can process billions of instructions
per second. 6ormally# they will be used for applications which require intensi!e
numerical computations such as stoc analysis# weather forecasting etc. *ther uses of
supercomputers are scientific simulations# (animated) graphics# fluid dynamic
calculations# nuclear energy research# electronic design# and analysis of geological data
(e.g. in petrochemical prospecting). 'erhaps the best nown super computer manufacturer
is Cray -esearch. )ome of the 9traditional9 companies which produce super computers
are Cray# I.$ and 1ewlett-'acard.
As of :uly ;22<# the I.$ -oadrunner# located at =os Alamos 6ational =aboratory# is the
fastest super computer in the world.
Mainframe Computers: $ainframe computers can also process data at !ery high speeds
!i.e.# hundreds of million instructions per second and they are also quite expensi!e.
6ormally# they are used in baning# airlines and railways etc for their applications.
Mini Computers: $ini computers are lower to mainframe computers in terms of speed
and storage capacity. "hey are also less expensi!e than mainframe computers. )ome of
the features of mainframes will not be a!ailable in mini computers. 1ence# their
performance also will be less than that of mainframes.
Miro Computers: "he in!ention of microprocessor (single chip C',) ga!e birth to the
much cheaper micro computers. "hey are further classified into
• Des!top Computers
• "aptop Computers
• Hand#eld Computers$%DAs&
Des!top Computers: "oday the 0estop computers are the most popular computer
systems."hese destop computers are also nown as personal computers or simply 'Cs.
"hey are usually easier to use and more affordable. "hey are normally intended for
indi!idual users for their word processing and other small application requirements.
"aptop Computers: =aptop computers are portable computers. "hey are lightweight
computers with a thin screen. "hey are also called as noteboo computers because of
their small si/e. "hey can operate on batteries and hence are !ery popular with tra!ellers.
"he screen folds down onto the eyboard when not in use.
Hand#eld Computers :1andheld computers or 'ersonal 0igital Assistants ('0As) are
pen-based and also battery-powered. "hey are small and can be carried anywhere. "hey
use a pen lie stylus and accept handwritten input directly on the screen. "hey are not as
powerful as destops or laptops but they are used for scheduling appointments#storing
addresses and playing games. "hey ha!e touch screens which we use with a finger or a
stylus.

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