Classification or Types of Computer

Classification or Types of Computer

On the basis of its size or capacity:

Mainframe computer:

• They are large computer. They are used in big organizations  such as banks, hospitals, railways etc for processing large  amount of data.
• They are also used in such a environments where large  number of users need to share a common computing  facility such as in research groups, engineering firms etc.
• Mainframe sytem are much bigger and more expensive than pc.
• Mainframe computers are IBM and DEC.
• As for example, IBM s/390,Control data cyber 176,CDC 6600.

Mini computer:

• They are like small mainframes.
• Mini computers are large and more powerful than most micro computers.
• It is used in universities and large business organization to process complex data.
• It is also used in research and scientific analysis etc.
• As for example PDP-11,VAX etc.
• Micro computer(Personal computer):
• Micro computer is general purpose computer.
• It is also known as PC or desktop computer.
• It is less expensive than any other computers.
• Its hardware and software are easily available in the market.
• As for example IBM PC, Apple/Macintosh, IBM PS/2,  Compaq, Toshiba, Hcl, Hp etc.

Super computer:

• Super computer are most powerful and expensive computers.
• They are used for processing complex scientific applications.
• They have extremely large storage capacities and high  speed.
• They are also used in petroleum industry, automobile  industry, weather forecasting ,military research, aircraft ,structural engineering.
• As for example Cray ,cyber-205

On the basis of its work or capacity:

Digital computer:

• The word digital means discrete or discontinuous.  So, it works upon discontinuous data.
• It consists of digits i.e. 0 or 1.
• 0 means OFF(low), 1 means ON(high)
• Digital computers are much faster & far more  accurate than the analog computers.
• E.g. Calculators ,Personal computers(pc) & digital  watches etc.

Analog computer:

• Analog computer works upon continuous data.
• Analog computer only measures physical values  temperature, pressure, voltage, current etc.
• It was slow & low accuracy than the digital computer.
• It was only used for specific purpose.
• E.g. speedometer ,voltmeter, ammeter, odometer &  analog watch etc.
• Analog computers are mainly used in scientific &  engineering applications.

Hybrid computer:

• It is both the combination of digital & analog  computer.
• It measures the heart beat functions, weather  forecasting etc.
• E.g. hybrid watch

On the basis of Brand

IBM PC

• IBM is the one of the most leading companies of the  world which manufacturing computers.
• The computers manufactured by IBM is called IBM  PC.
• It is more reliable, durable and have better quality.
• It is branded computer & expensive than IBM  compatible.
• Its hardware and software's are not easily available in  the market.

IBM Compatible

• A computer that has the same functional characteristics &
• principles of IBM computers are called as IBM compatibles.
• Architecture is similar to IBM PC.
• It is assembled computer which is also known as duplicate
• pc.
• All software & programs are equally run in IBM  compatibles.
• Its hardware and software’s are easily available in the  market.

Apple/Macintosh

• The computers manufactured by Apple company is called
• Apple/Macintosh computers.
• Apple computers have their own software & hardware.
• It is also known as branded computer.
• It is expensive than any other computers.

On the basis of Model:

XT computer

• The computers which have microprocessor 8085  is called XT computer.
• Its processing speed is 4.77 MHz's
• It is slower than AT computers.

AT computer

• The computers which have microprocessor  802866,80386,80486,80586,80686,Pentium I,II,III &  IV.
• Its processing speed is 4.77 GHZ.
• It is faster than XT computers.

PS/2 computer

• It is a laptop computer.
• It is also called hand held computer.
• IBM started manufacturing next model of computers  in 1990.This model is called as PS/2 computer.