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Types of Computers

There are three main types of computers used in business: mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. Mainframes are the largest and most powerful, used for centralized data processing. Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger than microcomputers, serving as mid-range servers. Microcomputers, also called personal computers, can function as both clients and servers and are used for desktop computing and client-server applications.

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1K views

Types of Computers

There are three main types of computers used in business: mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. Mainframes are the largest and most powerful, used for centralized data processing. Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger than microcomputers, serving as mid-range servers. Microcomputers, also called personal computers, can function as both clients and servers and are used for desktop computing and client-server applications.

Uploaded by

babita singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Computers

What is a Computer?

• A device that receives data, processes


data, stores data, and produces a result.
Examples of first generation “calculators”:

Abacus

Slide Rule
…and a
Burrough’s
Adding
Machine…
Advertisement from 1954
Handheld devices such as these
are also computers…
3 types of computers are used for
business information systems:
• Mainframes
• Minicomputers
• Microcomputers
Mainframe Computers
• industry term for a large computer - “big iron”
• “modularized” to reduce overhead
• used to centralized computer processing
• often used as large database servers
• Mainframes usually cost hundreds of thousands
of dollars and are manufactured by companies
such as Hitachi, IBM and Amdahl.
Mainframe Definition
Large, powerful
computers that are
used for centralized
storage, processing,
and management of
very large amounts
of data.
Diagram of a Simple Mainframe Configuration

Cluster
Controller

PC Workstations
or terminals Front-End Mainframe
Processor
(FEP)

Cluster
Controller
Minicomputers

• smaller than a Mainframe


• larger than a PC (Microcomputer)
• have become the “mid-range” server
•IBM’s AS/400 is an example
Minicomputer Definition
A computer designed to
serve multiple users and
process significant
amounts of data; larger
than a microcomputer, but
smaller than a mainframe.
Microcomputers

• Also called Personal Computers (PCs)


• desktop computing and client-server
applications
• can serve both as a client and a server

Sun Microsystems generally is thought to manufacture


high-end PCs.
Microcomputer Definition
• It’s designed for use by a single user.
Microcomputers

• Microcomputers are generally categorized


by the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
type:
– Intel-IBM compatible (Wintel)
– Motorola – Apple/Macintosh/Power PC
– Sun Microsystems - SPARC
Microcomputers
• Forms of Micro-Computers:
– Workstations
• High processing speed and performance
• Engineering, graphical uses
– Personal computers
• Less powerful than workstations
• Categorized as either a desktop or portable computer
• Laptops or notebooks
– Handheld Computers and PDAs
• Smallest personal computers
• Increased power to perform word processing and
complex spreadsheet and database functions
• Mobile connectivity with wireless telephone, internet and
email.

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