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13. TYPES OF COMPUTERS. TYPES OF COMPUTERS. THREE main types of computers: Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe computer. Microcomputer. Personal or desktop computer designed for general use by a single person. Cheap and easy to use.
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TYPES OF COMPUTERS • THREE main types of computers: • Microcomputer • Minicomputer • Mainframe computer
Microcomputer • Personal or desktop computer designed for general use by a single person. • Cheap and easy to use. • Mid-range servers supporting smaller number of simultaneous users, typically 50 to 100. • Allow many simultaneous users.
Minicomputer • Medium-sized computer. • Expensive and difficult to use. • Medium-sized businesses or organizations, banks and etc. • Used in Banks for controlling ATM, Supermarket for controlling inventory, etc.
Mainframe computer • Large, powerful computers that can carry out many different tasks for many different people at the same time. • Usually connected to a large number of peripherals. • Typically huge databases, complex mathematical operations, processing millions of transactions everyday. • Used by large companies such as: • Banks – Managing customer accounts • Airlines – Dealing with booking of tickets, cancellation etc.
Supercomputer • Very expensive than Mainframe computer. • Most are comprised of multiple high performance computers working in parallel as a single system. • The best known supercomputers are built by Cray Supercomputers.
Desktop • A Personal Computer that is not designed for portability. • The computer is set up in a permanent location. • Most desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost.
Workstation • A desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development.
Laptops • Also called notebooks. • Portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor, memory and hard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover book.
PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT (PDA) • PDA’s are tightly integrated computers that often use flash memory instead of a hard drive for storage. • Usually do not have keyboards but rely on touch screen technology for user input. • Typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with a reasonable battery life
Task • NAME the THREE main types of computers and GIVE an EXAMPLE on each types of computers. • COMPARE and CONTRAST the THREE main types of computers in terms of SIZE, COST and APPLICATIONS.