Types of Computer

We can classify computers in ways-

1. Based on Data Handling Capability.
2. Based on Computer Size.

Based on Data Handling Capability:

We have three types of computers–

• Analog Computers.

• Digital Computers.

• Hybrid Computers.

Analog Computers:

Analog computers use analog signals. These signals can vary continuously along a spectrum, rather than with discrete values like 0 and 1. This makes them more suitable for applications where exact values are not always required, such as speed, temperature, pressure, current, and so on. Analog computers are designed to process analog data.

Analog computers are not digital computers. They measure and process continuous changes in physical quantity and generally represent the data readings on a dial or scale. We may also use an analog computer to receive a reading, but it is an analog measuring device. This means that it takes a continuously varying signal such as sound waves and light waves, instead of discrete measurements like 1-bit numbers. For example Speedometer and mercury thermometer.

Digital Computers:

Digital computers are designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high speed. They process data in the form of digits or binary (0 and 1) numbers to produce the output. All modern computers, such as laptops and desktops, run on digital processors, which means that all computer functions are performed in the form of electrical impulses. Digital computers also come with pre-installed software programs stored in their memory.

Hybrid Computers:

A hybrid computer is used in applications where both analog and digital data are processed. In these applications, a processor converts measurements of fuel flow into quantity and price. So, it can be used in almost all fields, including aviation, military, space science, etc. These computers are fast in their calculations and have high memory capacity, which makes them suitable for huge information requirements even though they are simpler than conventional digital computers with thousands of components operated by integrated circuits.

Based on Computerize:

The computer can be of five  types-

1. Personal Computer (PC)
2. Workstation
3. Mini Computer
4. Main Frame
5. Supercomputer

Personal Computer (PC):

PCs are among the most widely used computers in the world. Businesses use PCs for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and running spreadsheet and database management applications. Home users can use PCs for playing games and surfing the Internet. Personal computers are generally characterized by their size (small and medium sizes are common) and resolution, or the number and size of display windows they have.

A personal computer is a networked computer whose processor, software, and data are designed to support the user’s particular needs like the personal characteristics of a human operator. Because personal computers and software have been available for many years now, most people relate them to personal experiences or a client-serviced organization. They have become embedded in our business world and society as a whole and are indexed for economic growth by the workforce through technological advances.

Workstation:

A workstation computer is a high-end computer that has been optimized to meet the requirements of businesses, corporations, and software developers. The usual features of a business computer include large amounts of RAM, a high-end graphics processing unit, fast network connectivity, and a disk-less design.

The workstation is a computer used for engineering applications with moderate power requirements and high-quality graphics capabilities, such as CAD/CAM, desktop publishing, software development, and other such types of applications. Its name comes from the fact that it is used by engineers when they are building a product or a model.

Mini Computer:

A minicomputer is a type of computer that has from one to six processors and small amounts of RAM. These devices are capable of supporting up to 250 users at the same time, making a small room full of computers for an office or department. Usually, these devices have two or more processors. Minicomputers may be used in accounting (accounting departments), inventory management, and billing, but some experts also believe that they lie somewhere between a microcomputer and a mainframe because they are smaller than a mainframe but more extensive than a microcomputer.

Main Frame:

Mainframes, or large computers, have been used since the 1960s. They now support traditional business processes such as document processing, payroll, and financial reporting. The mainframe is still a valuable part of modern organizations and is used in banking, telecommunications, and many other fields.

Mainframe computers are powerful and durable, which makes them perfect for big organizations such as banks or telecom. Mainframe computers include multiple CPUs, input/output devices, RAM, and other peripherals that are required to run applications.

Supercomputer:

The fastest and biggest computers are supercomputers. Supercomputers are designed to process massive amounts of data; so they can carry out high-speed calculations and complex series of instructions in seconds, which is essential for scientific research and the development of supercomputers. The most important function of a supercomputer is that it is capable of doing many things at once, including analyzing data and carrying out more complex operations. The first supercomputer was developed by Roger Cray in 1976.

Supercomputers are computers that have more than a hundred processing cores and ten thousand times more computing power than personal computers. Supercomputers consist of tens or hundreds of thousands of processors interconnected by a fast network, allowing them to be used to run complex calculations and solve problems quickly.

FAQ:

What are the main types of Computers with examples?

1. Personal Computer (PC)
2. Workstation
3. Mini Computer
4. Main Frame
5. Supercomputer