Computer Education Chapter No 3

Classification

Computers are classified as Laptop computers, Microcomputers, Mini computer; Computers, Super computers.

Laptop Computers

This type of smallest computer looks like office brief case and called "Laptop" computer. The laptops are also termed as Computers". Due to the small size and lightweight, they become popular among the users. The businessmen found laptops very useful during traveling and when they are from their desktop computers. A typical laptop computer has the entire facilities available in microcomputer. Any standard accessory can be attached to laptops; therefore it is used just like a normal microcomputer. Now more small and lightweight versions of laptops are available which are called "Note-Book" while the smallest laptops are called "Palmtop",
Micro Computers

Computers were always considered to be very costly, hard to operate and difficult to maintain. Micros are basically very small machines, lower in price, easy to operate and as they are cheaper there is difficulty in maintenance. Microcomputers, although provide a lot of facilities available and minis, but can not compete them. However these computers are used in small applications and for home computing. The microcomputers are commonly termed as stands for Personal Computer.
Mini Computers

The mini computers are very popular in time-sharing requirements. In time sharing many users can utilize a single computer at the same time by attaching terminals to computer switches between one users to another user for a very short time, allowing all process their work. This switching is so fast therefore no one has to wait for his turn. A mini may be the only computer in a medium-sized organization. These computers are also found in laboratories for all types of scientific and engineering work. Mini computers were found to be more efficient, much faster and easy to operate as compared to macros.
Macro Computers

The large size computers including all peripherals and attached equipment are "macro" computers or "mainframe" computers. Oftenly a mainframe computer is n computer, but it may have more than one CPU or there may be a center with multiple in it. System software allows these computers to be tied together, so the user has power of several computers at once. A mainframe computer might support thousands of users; worldwide airline reservation system. A number of programs may be run on computer at a time for different users located in various departments of the organization mainframes are used heavily in all kinds of business organizations. The mainframe are found in the environments where a large amount of data is to be processed a large number of terminals need access to centralized data.
Super Computers
Very big computers used for complex scientific calculations are called super computers. These computers have the capabilities much more than a mainframe computer. Limited organizations can afford these computers. These are the most costly computers. These are used in nuclear physics research, experimental oil fields, weather forecasting, satellite controlling, space shuttle launching etc.