Types of Computers

Basics of Computer
A computer is an electronic device
that has storage, computations,
input (data), output (data) and
networking capabilities. With the
growing AI, computers also have
learning capabilities from the data
provided. The input and output
data can be in different forms like
text, images, audio and video. A
computer processes the input
according to the set of instructions
provided to it by the user and gives
the desired output. Computers are
of various types and they can be
categorized in two ways on the
basis of size and on the basis of
data handling capabilities.
Types of Computer
There are two bases on which we
can define the types of computers.
Let’s see first what are the types of
computers:
Super Computer
1.
2. Mainframe computer
3. Mini Computer
4. Workstation Computer
5. Personal Computer (PC)
6. Server Computer
7. Analog Computer
8. Digital Computer
9. Hybrid Computer
10. Tablets and Smartphone

Supercomputer
When we talk about speed, then
the first name that comes to mind
when thinking of computers is
supercomputers. They are the
biggest and fastest computers (in
terms of speed of processing data).
Supercomputers are designed such
that they can process a huge
amount of data, like processing
trillions of instructions or data just
in a second. This is because of the
thousands of interconnected
processors in supercomputers. It is
basically used in scientific and
engineering applications such as
weather forecasting, scientific
simulations, and nuclear energy
research. It was first developed by
Roger Cray in 1976.
Super Computers

Characteristics of
Supercomputers
 Supercomputers are the
computers that are the fastest
and they are also very expensive.
 It can calculate up to ten trillion
individual calculations per
second, this is also the reason
which makes it even faster.
 It is used in the stock market or
big organizations for managing
the online currency world such as
Bitcoin etc.
 It is used in scientific research
areas for analyzing data obtained
from exploring the solar system,
satellites, etc.
Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers are designed
in such a way that they can
support hundreds or thousands of
users at the same time. It also
supports multiple programs
simultaneously. So, they can
execute different processes
simultaneously. All these features
make the mainframe computer
ideal for big organizations like
banking, telecom sectors, etc.,
which process a high volume of
data in general.
Characteristics of Mainframe
Computers
It is also an expensive or costly
computer.
It has high storage capacity and
great performance.
 It can process a huge amount of
data (like data involved in the
banking sector) very quickly.
 It runs smoothly for a long time
and has a long life.

Minicomputer
Minicomputer is a medium size
multiprocessing computer. In this
type of computer, there are two or
more processors, and it supports 4
to 200 users at one time.
Minicomputer is similar to
Microcontroller. Minicomputers are
used in places like institutes or
departments for different work like
billing, accounting, inventory
management, etc. It is smaller than
a mainframe computer but larger
in comparison to the
microcomputer.
Characteristics of
Minicomputer
 Its weight is low.
Because of its low weight, it is
easy to carry anywhere.
less expensive than a mainframe
computer.
It is fast.
Workstation Computer
A workstation computer is
designed for technical or scientific
applications. It consists of a fast
microprocessor, with a large
amount of RAM and a high-speed
graphic adapter. It is a single-user
computer. It is generally used to
perform a specific task with great
accuracy.
Characteristics of Workstation
Computer
It is expensive or high in cost.
They are exclusively made for
complex work purposes.
It provides large storage capacity,
better graphics, and a more
 powerful CPU when compared to
a PC.
 It is also used to handle
animation, data analysis, CAD,
audio and video creation, and
editing.
Personal Computer (PC)
Personal Computers is also known
as a microcomputer. It is basically a
general-purpose computer
designed for individual use. It
consists of a microprocessor as a
central processing unit(CPU),
memory, input unit, and output
unit. This kind of computer is
suitable for personal work such as
making an assignment, watching a
movie, or at the office for office
work, etc. For example, Laptops
and desktop computers.
Personal Computer

Characteristics of Personal
Computer (PC)
In this limited number of software


can be used.
It is the smallest in size.

 It is designed for personal use.
 It is easy to use.
Server Computer
Server Computers are computers
that are combined data and
programs. Electronic data and
applications are stored and shared
in the server computer. The
working of a server computer is
that it does not solve a bigger
problem like a supercomputer but
it solves many smaller similar ones.
Examples of server computer are
like Wikipedia, as when users put a
request for any page, it finds what
the user is looking for and sends it
to the user.
Analog Computer
Analog Computers are particularly
designed to process analog data.
Continuous data that changes
continuously and cannot have
discrete values are called analog
data. So, an analog computer is
used where we don’t need exact
values or need approximate values
such as speed, temperature,
pressure, etc. It can directly accept
the data from the measuring
device without first converting it
into numbers and codes. It
measures the continuous changes
in physical quantity. It gives output
as a reading on a dial or scale. For
example speedometer, mercury
thermometer, etc.

Digital Computer
Digital computers are designed in
such a way that they can easily
perform calculations and logical
operations at high speed. It takes
raw data as input and processes it
with programs stored in its memory
to produce the final output. It only
understands the binary input 0 and
1, so the raw input data is
converted to 0 and 1 by the
computer and then it is processed
by the computer to produce the
result or final output. All modern
computers, like laptops, desktops
including smartphones are digital
computers.

Hybrid Computer
As the name suggests hybrid,
which means made by combining
two different things. Similarly, the
hybrid computer is a combination
of both analog and digital
computers. Hybrid computers are
fast like analog computers and
have memory and accuracy like
digital computers. So, it has the
ability to process both continuous
and discrete data. For working
when it accepts analog signals as
input then it converts them into
digital form before processing the
input data. So, it is widely used in
specialized applications where both
analog and digital data are
required to be processed. A
processor which is used in petrol
pumps that converts the
measurements of fuel flow into
quantity and price is an example of
a hybrid computer.
Tablet and Smartphones
Tablets and Smartphones are the
types of computers that are pocket
friendly and easy to carry is these
are handy. This is one of the best
use of modern technology. These
devices have better hardware
capabilities, extensive operating
systems, and better multimedia
functionality. smartphones and
tablets contain a number of
sensors and are also able to
provide wireless communication
protocols.
Tablet and Smartphones