Classes of Computers

By
Zahraa ghalib

Saturday
6/6/2020
 Classes of Computers
Classes by purpose
Microcomputers (personal computers)
Microcomputers became the most common type of
computer in the late 20th century. The term
“microcomputer” was introduced with the advent of
systems based on single chip microprocessors. The best-
known early system was the Altair 8800, introduced in
1975. The term "microcomputer" has practically become
an anachronism.

These computers include:

 Desktop computers – A case put under or on a desk.
The display may be optional, depending on use. The
case size may vary, depending on the required
expansion slots. Very small computers of this kind
may be integrated into the monitor.
 Rackmount computers – The cases of these
computers fit into 19-inch racks, and may be space-
optimized and very flat. A dedicated display,
keyboard, and mouse may not exist, but a KVM
 switch or built-in remote control (via LAN or other
means) can be used to gain console access.
 In-car computers (carputers) – Built into
automobiles, for entertainment, navigation, etc.
 Game consoles – Fixed computers built specifically
for entertainment purposes.
 Laptops and notebook computers – Portable and all
in one case.
 Tablet computer – Like laptops, but with a touch-
screen, entirely replacing the physical keyboard.
 Smartphones, smartbooks, PDAs and palmtop
computers – Small handheld computers with limited
hardware.(Internal storage
 Programmable calculator– Like small handhelds, but
specialized on mathematical work.
 Handheld game consoles – The same as game
consoles, but small and portable.

Minicomputers (midrange computers)

Minicomputers (colloquially, minis) are a class of multi-
user computers that lie in the middle range of the
computing spectrum, in between the smallest mainframe
computers and the largest single-user systems
(microcomputers or personal computers). The term
superminicomputer or supermini was used to distinguish
more powerful minicomputers that approached
mainframes in capability. Superminis (such as the DEC
VAX or Data General Eclipse MV/8000) were usually 32-
bit at a time when most minicomputers (such as the PDP-
11 or Data General Eclipse or IBM Series/1) were 16-bit.
These traditional minicomputers in the last few decades
of the 20th Century, found in small to medium-sized
businesses, laboratories and embedded in (for example)
hospital CAT scanners, often would be rack-mounted and
connect to one or more terminals or tape/card readers,
like mainframes and unlike most personal computers,
but require less space and electrical power than a typical
mainframe. The contemporary term for minicomputer is
midrange computer, such as the higher-end SPARC,
POWER and Itanium-based systems from Oracle
Corporation, IBM and Hewlett-Packard, and the size is
now typically smaller, such as a tower case.

Mainframe computers
The term mainframe computer was created to
distinguish the traditional, large, institutional computer
intended to service multiple users from the smaller,
single user machines. These computers are capable of
handling and processing very large amounts of data
quickly. Mainframe computers are used in large
institutions such as government, banks and large
corporations. They are measured in MIPS (million
instructions per second) and can respond to hundreds of
millions of users at a time.

Supercomputers
A Supercomputer is focused on performing tasks
involving intense numerical calculations such as weather
forecasting, fluid dynamics, nuclear simulations,
theoretical astrophysics, and complex scientific
computations. A supercomputer is a computer that is at
the front-line of current processing capacity, particularly
speed of calculation. The term supercomputer itself is
rather fluid, and the speed of today's supercomputers
tends to become typical of tomorrow's ordinary
computer. Supercomputer processing speeds are
measured in floating point operations per second, or
FLOPS. An example of a floating point operation is the
calculation of mathematical equations in real numbers.
In terms of computational capability, memory size and
speed, I/O technology, and topological issues such as
bandwidth and latency, supercomputers are the most
powerful, are very expensive, and not cost-effective just
to perform batch or transaction processing.

Classes by function
Servers
Server usually refers to a computer that is dedicated to
providing one or more services. For example, a computer
dedicated to a database may be called a "database
server". "File servers" manage a large collection of
computer files. "Web servers" process web pages and
web applications. Many smaller servers are actually
personal computers that have been dedicated to provide
services for other computers. A server is expected to be
reliable (e.g. error-correction of RAM; redundant cooling;
self-monitoring, RAID), fit for running for several years,
and giving useful diagnosis in case of an error. For even
increased security, the server may be mirrored
Terminal servers
These provide GUI sessions that can be used by client PCs
that work someway like a remote control. Only the
screen (and audio) output is shown on the client. The GUI
applications run on the server, data (like in files) would
be stored in the same LAN, thus avoiding problems,
should a client PC be damaged or stolen.

Virtual machines
A server may run several virtual machines (VMs) for
different activities, supplying the same environment to
each VM as if it ran on dedicated hardware. Different
operating systems (OS) can therefore be run at the same
time. This technology approach needs special hardware
support to be useful and was first the domain of
mainframes and other large computers. Nowadays, most
personal computers are equipped for this task, but for
long-term operation or critical systems, specialized
server hardware may be needed.
Another approach is to implement VMs on the operating
system level, so all VMs run on the same OS instance (or
incarnation), but are fundamentally separated to not
interfere with each other.

Workstations
Workstations are computers that are intended to serve
one user and may contain special hardware
enhancements not found on a personal computer. By the
mid 1990s personal computers reached the processing
capabilities of mini computers and workstations. Also,
with the release of multi-tasking systems such as OS/2,
Windows NT and Linux, the operating systems of
personal computers could do the job of this class of
machines. Today, the term is used to describe desktop
PCs with high-performance hardware. Such hardware is
usually aimed at a professional, rather than enthusiast,
market (e.g. dual-processor motherboards, error-
correcting memory, professional graphics cards).
Information appliances
Information appliances are computers specially designed
to perform a specific "user-friendly" function—such as
playing music, photography, or editing text. The term is
most commonly applied to mobile devices, though there
are also portable and desktop devices of this class.

Embedded computers
Embedded computers are computers that are a part of a
machine or device. Embedded computers generally
execute a program that is stored in non-volatile memory
and is only intended to operate a specific machine or
device. Embedded computers are very common. The
majority are microcontrollers. Embedded computers are
typically required to operate continuously without being
reset or rebooted, and once employed in their task the
software usually cannot be modified. An automobile may
contain a number of embedded computers; however, a
washing machine or DVD player would contain only one
microcontroller. Embedded computers are chosen to
meet the requirements of the specific application, and
most are slower and cheaper than CPUs found in a
personal computer.

Classes by usage
Public computer
Public computers are open for public uses, possibly as an
Interactive kiosk. There are many places one can use
them, such as cybercafes, schools and libraries.
They are normally fire-walled and restricted to run only
their pre-installed software. The operating system is
difficult to change and/or resides on a file server. For
example, "thin client" machines in educational
establishments may be reset to their original state
between classes. Public computers are not expected to
keep an individual's data files.

Personal computer
A personal computer has one user who may also be the
owner (although the term has also come also mean any
computer hardware somewhat like the original IBM PC,
irrespective of how it is used). This user often may use all
hardware resources, has complete access to any part of
the computer and has rights to install/remove software.
Personal computers normally store personal files, and
often the owner/user is responsible for routine
maintenance such as removing unwanted files and virus-
scanning. Some computers in a business setting are for
one user but are also served by staff with protocols to
ensure proper maintenance.

Shared computer
These are computers where different people might log
on at different times; unlike public computers, they
would have usernames and passwords assigned on a
long-term basis, with the files they see and the
computer's settings adjusted to their particular account.
Often the important data files will reside on a central file
server, so a person could log onto different computers
yet still see the same files. The computer (or workstation)
might be a "thin client" or X terminal, otherwise it may
have its own disk for some or all system files, but usually
will need to be networked to the rest of the system for
full functionality. Such systems normally require a system
administrator to set up and maintain the hardware and
software.

Display computer
Computers that are used just to display selected material
(usually audio-visual, or simple slide shows) in a shop,
meeting or trade show. These computers may have more
capabilities than they are being used for; they are likely
to have WiFi and so be capable of Internet access, but
are rarely firewalled (but have restricted port access or
monitored in some way). Such computers are used and
maintained as appliances, and not normally used as the
primary store for important files.