Classification of Computers

A computer is a fast electronic device that processes the input data according to the
instructions given by the user & provides the desired information as an output.
Modern computers can even conduct programmes, which are generic sets of
procedures that allow computers to accomplish a wide range of activities. A computer
system consist of a hardware, operating system & peripheral equipment required for
functioning. Computers are used as control systems in a wide range of industrial and
consumer products, including simple special-purpose devices such as microwave
ovens, remote controls & refridgerators as well as general-purpose devices such as
personal computers, mobile devices/smartphones. The Internet is powered by
computers, which connect billions of other computers and people. We see many
Computers nearby, but they all are different from each other. There are different
classes of computer technology available these days. The functionality and data
processing of each type of computer is different and output results as well. We can
classify the computers into the following 3 categories:

1. On the Basis of Size and Capacity, [Supercomputer, Mainframe, Mini, and Micro
Computer].
2. On the Basis of Purposes, [General and Special Purpose].
3. On the Basis of Hardware Design and Type [Analog, Digital, and Hybrid
Computer].
  Classification of Computers by Size : -
SuperComputer - A Supercomputer is the fastest, powerful & expensive type of
computer for processing data. Supercomputers’ size and storage capacity are also
huge (can occupy huge premises) designed to process vast amounts of data in a short
time with high productivity. These are specially made to perform multi-specific tasks.
Therefore, many CPUs work in parallel order on these supercomputers. This function
of a Supercomputer is called Multiprocessing or Parallel Processing. Each part of a
supercomputer is responsible for its own specific task, such as structuring and
solving the most complex problems requiring an incredible amount of calculations.
This made this machine an ultra-high-performance supercomputer. Examples: IBM
Roadburner, IBM Blue Gene, Intel ASI Red. PARAM-1000, and CRAY-XMP-14.

Applications: The uses of supercomputers are dedicated to –

 In research and study of energy and nuclear weapons and designing the
aircraft, airplanes, and flight simulators.
 Climate research and Weather Forecasting and Prediction of Natural Disasters.
 Spaceship and Satellite Launching.
 Used in scientific research laboratories.
 Used in Chemical and Biological research and for highly calculation complex
tasks.

2. Mainframe Computer - These are multi-programming, high-

performance computers, and multi-user, which means they can handle the workload
of more than 100 users at a time on the computer. The storage capacity of the
mainframe is enormous, with a high-speed data process as well. As well as handling
hundreds of input and output devices at a time. The mainframe is a highly efficient
computer capable of simultaneously solving complex calculations and continuously
for a long time. These computers have several microprocessors that have the ability
to function the data at too high performance and speed. These are commonly called
as Big Iron, they are usually used by big organisations for bulk data processing such
as statics, census data processing, transaction processing and are widely used as the
servers as these systems has a higher processing capability as compared to the
other classes of computers. Most of these mainframe architectures were established
in 1960s, the research and development worked continuously over the years and
the mainframes of today are far more better than the earlier ones, in size, capacity
and efficiency. Somehow mainframes can be more powerful than supercomputers
because the mainframe supports many processes simultaneously. On the other hand,
supercomputers can run a single program but faster than a mainframe. In the
past, Mainframes requires entire rooms or even floors of whole buildings for set up. In
today, IBM company is leading the production of mainframe computers.
Mainframe reliability is increased with development in the past 60 years. These
computers can fix most of the hardware and software bugs.
Applications: Uses of Mainframe Computer – Mainframe computers are mainly used
by departmental and commercial organizations like Banks, Companies, Scientific
research centers, and governmental departments like railways. These computers can
work for 24 hours. Hundreds of users can work on these computations
simultaneously. Using the mainframe completes the tasks, such as keeping details of
payments, research centres, advertising, sending bills and notices, paying employees,
ticket booking, maintaining details of purchases by users, keeping detailed tax
details, etc. Examples: IBM Es000 series, ICL39 Series, and CDC 6600.

3. Mini Computer - Minicomputer is a digital and multi-user computer system with

the connection of more than one CPU. Thus, many people can work on these
computers simultaneously instead of a single person. Also, it can process with other
accessories like a printer, plotter, etc. Minicomputers are the medium type of
computers that have more functionality power and are expensive than
microcomputers. On the other hand, the size, storage, and speed of minicomputers
are large but less than the mainframe and supercomputers. Minicomputers are made
for performing multiple computing tasks at a single point of time, instead of assigning
many microcomputers for a single task, which will be time-consuming and expensive.
In general, a minicomputer is a multi-threaded system (several processes at a time)
capable of supporting from one to up to 200 users simultaneously: these computers
are currently used to store large databases, multi-user applications, and the
automation industry.

Applications : The uses of Minicomputers – The minicomputers are used as real-time

applications in Industries, bookings, and Research Centres. Banks also use
minicomputers for preparing payroll for employees’ salaries, records, tracking of
financial accounts, etc. As well as in the field of Higher Education and Engineering.
Examples: PDP 11 and IBM (8000 Series). Good to Know ~ PDP-1 was the world’s
first minicomputer, small and interactive, introduced in 1960 by the Digital
Equipment Corporation.

4. Micro Computer - Today we are using many computers at home is also the most
common microcomputer. With this invention of the microprocessors in the year
1970, it became possible to use computers for people personally at a low cost and
reasonable price known as Digital Personal Computer. The design of microcomputers
is minimal in size and storage capacity. These computers consist of many parts
like Input and Output devices, Software, operating systems, networks, and Servers all
these need to connect to form a complete Personal Digital Computer. Examples of the
microcomputer are smartphone, PC or laptop, Tablet, PDA, server, palmtop, and
workstation. This can be installed in any work area or even at home for personal use.
The primary purpose of microcomputers is to keep and process the everyday tasks
and needs of the people. Only one person can work on a single PC at a time, but its
operating system is multitasking. The PC can be connected to the Internet to take
benefits and enhance the user experience. The development of multimedia, small
equipment, optimized energy consumption, and the LAN made the microcomputers
increase in demand for every field. The increase in the demand and need for
microcomputers between the people leads to the tremendous development of each
part related to the microcomputers.

Applications: The uses of MicroComputer – PC is being widely used in many fields

like home, office, data collection, business, education, entertainment, publishing, etc.
It keeps the details and prepares letters for correspondence in small businesses,
creating bills, accounting, word processing, and operation of the filing systems in a
large company. Some of the major PC manufacturers are IBM, Lenovo, Apple, HCL,
HP, etc. Examples: Desktops, tablets, smartphones, and Laptops. The fast
development of microcomputers with technology. As a result, today, microcomputers
coming in the form of a book, a phone, and even a clock in the name of a digital clock.

 Classification of Computers by Purpose : -

Microcomputers, sometimes known as personal computers, became the most popular

type of computer in the late twentieth century, and the word “microcomputer” was
coined with the introduction of single-chip microprocessor systems.

Minicomputers, also known as mid-range computers or Superminis, are a type of

multi-user computer that falls somewhere in the middle of the computing spectrum.
The term “supermini computer,” or simply “supermini,” was coined to describe more
powerful minicomputers that were capable of competing with mainframes.

Then is Mainframe computers. The term mainframe computer was used to

distinguish the typical, huge, institutional computer designed to serve multiple users
from smaller, single-user machines capable of handling and processing massive
amounts of data quickly. Large organizations employ mainframe computers, which
can handle hundreds of millions of people at once.

A supercomputer is a computer that is focused on doing tasks demanding heavy

numerical calculations. These computers were developed in the 1970s and are the
fastest and most powerful computers available.

1. General Purpose - General computers can do various everyday tasks such as

writing a word processing letter, Document preparation, recording, financial analysis,
Printing documents, creating databases, and calculations with accuracy and
consistency. The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers are mainly less.
The ability of these computers is limited in performing specialized tasks. Still, it
has versatility and useful for serving people’s basic needs at home or in the
workplace in the environment. Examples: Desktops, laptops, smartphones, and
tablets are used on daily basis for general purposes.

2. Special Purpose - These computers are designed to perform a particular or

specialized task. The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers mainly
depend on the nature and size of the work. The function of these computers is
consistent with any particular task. The special computer needs specific and input
and devices as well as a compatible motherboard with the processor to conduct work
efficiently. These computers are used for special purposes in weather forecasting,
space research, agriculture, engineering, meteorology, satellite operation, traffic
control, and research in chemical sciences. Examples:

 Automatic teller machines (ATM),

 Washing machines,
 Surveillance equipment,
 Weather-forecasting simulators,
 Traffic-control computers,
 Defense-oriented applications,
 Oil-exploration systems,
 Military planes controlling computers.

 Classification of Computers by Type/Work/Utility : -

1. Analog Computer - An analog computer performs tasks using continuous data, they
are slow and equipped to measure things rather than countable or check. These
computers are primarily used to measure physical units & give only appropriate
estimates like the voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature & converts them
into digits. It is also used to measure and perform arithmetic calculations of numbers,
the length of an object, or the amount of voltage that passes through a point in an
electrical circuit. Analog computers are mainly used in the fields of science and
engineering. The efficiency of this computer increases when we get the result of the
data in graphs, etc. Analog Computers cannot store statistics. They are used in the
fields of technology, science, research, engineering, etc. Because quantities
like voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature are used more in these areas,
these types of computers give only approximate estimates. Examples : An analog
computer installed on a petrol pump measures the amount of petrol coming out of
the pump and appears in liters. And calculates its value. These quantities vary
continuously while measuring the amount, such as the temperature of a human body
changes consistently. A simple clock, the vehicle’s speedometer, Voltmeter, etc. are
examples of analog computing.

2. Digital Computer - As its name suggests, a digital computer represents the digital
computer’s letters, numerical values, or any other special symbols. This computer is
the computer that calculates the number for processing the data. They run on
electronic signs, and the binary numeral method Binary System 0 or 1 is used for
calculation. Their speed is fast. It can perform arithmetic operations such as addition,
occurrence, subtraction, multiplication, or division and all types of
logical(mathematical) operations. Today, most of the computers available in the
market are digital computers. Digital computers are built to bring the solution of
equations to an almost unlimited precision, but in a bit slow manner compared to
analog computers. To some extent, they all have similar components for receiving,
processing, sorting, and transmitting data and use a relatively small number of
essential functions to perform their tasks. Digital computers use discrete electrical
signals for operation rather than continuous electrical signals as analog computers
have, making them the most common form of computers today because of
their versatility, speed, and power. The desktop or Laptop at our home is one the
common and best example of a digital computer. Other Examples of Digital
Computers

 Personal Desktop Computers,

 Calculators,
 Laptops, Smartphones, and Tablets,
 Chromebooks,
 Digital watch,
 Accounting machines,
 Workstations,
 Digital clock, etc.

3. Hybrid Computer - A hybrid computer is a combined complex computer unit built

using both analog and digital properties and united by a single control system. The
purpose of designing hybrid computers is to provide functions and features that can
be found on both analog and digital devices with an aim to resolve more difficult
equations immediately.. The aim behind creating a hybrid computer is to create a
kind of work unit that offers the best of both types of computers. Hybrid computers
are extremely fast when driving equations, even when those calculations are
incredibly complex. As both the properties of a computer consist in the form of a
single hybrid computer made possible to solve too complex calculations or
problems, at the same time, these devices are not only too expensive but also able to
solve complex issues a bit fastly. The analog computer systems solve the equation
process immediately. But it is not necessary that those solutions would be completely
accurate. Here, the digital computer system gives 100 % correct solutions, but it
takes a bit of time in the calculation. Therefore, Hybrid computers are made to
overcome the flaws of both these analog and digital systems.

Applications of hybrid Computer: Hybrid computers are most commonly used in vast
industries, research centres, organizations, and manufacturing firms (where many
equations need to be solved). Also, the solutions and uses of hybrid computers have
proved to be much more detailed, accurate, and useful. Hybrid computers are used in
scientific calculations, for nations’ defence and radar systems as well. Examples :
Auto Gasoline pump is the example of a hybrid computer, this device is installed on a
petrol pump do not only to measure the amount of petrol but also to calculates its
value, in this way It is capable of both functions i.e hybrid function.

 References : -

 Classification of Computers » By Size,Type and Purpose. Retrieved December

27, 2022, from https://digitalworld839.com/classification-of-computers/
 Classification of Computers, By Size, Usage, Type & Purpose. Retrieved
December 27, 2022, from https://www.adda247.com/school/classification-of-
computers/