On the basis of Size

Supercomputer
Supercomputers are the largest and fastest computers, capable of processing
trillions of functions in seconds. The first supercomputer was created in the
1960s for the American Department of Defense (USA). These computers are
primarily used for data-intensive and computation-intensive scientific tasks such as
password encryption and decryption, weather forecasting, exploring the solar
system, molecular modeling, etc. A speed is measured or counted in “FLOPS”
(Floating Point Operation per Second). It can perform a speed of over 1 billion
per second. Examples: Summit IBM, IBM Power System Ac992, Sierra IBM,
Power System IBM.
Advantages:
• Enables virtual testing
• Calculates up to ten trillion individual calculations per second
• Allows you to decrypt and encrypt your password easily
• Solves more significant issues and can be used for research and development
• Runs more problems in less time and has advanced graphic capabilities
Disadvantages:
• It is pricey and takes up a lot of space.
• This type of computer necessitates the use of trained personnel.
• It is not suitable for day-to-day operations and is best suited for specific
applications.
Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers have a large amount of memory and processors and can
perform billions of transactions and simple calculations in real time. This type of
computer is primarily used for transaction servers, commercial databases, and
applications that require high reliability, security, and speed. They can store data
and deliver millions of instructions and guidelines per second. Examples: IBM
Z890, Hitachi’s Z800, CDC Cyber Series.

Advantages:
• Manages terabytes of data in databases
• Handles high-bandwidth communication with ease
• Processes thousands of transactions per second on a large scale
• Support thousands of users and application programs accessing numerous
resources at the same time
Disadvantages:
• A mainframe computer has significantly more expensive than a regular
computer.
• A mainframe computer requires more space, and a regular person cannot
perform maintenance.
• Because of the hardware components, installing a mainframe computer is
more complex than installing a regular computer.
• Environmental constraints must be met when placing mainframe computers,
such as the temperature of the surroundings should not be excessively high.
Minicomputer
Minicomputers are smaller, less expensive, and less powerful than mainframes or
supercomputers but more costly and powerful than personal computers. These
computers are multi-user systems with more than one user working simultaneously.
These computers are primarily used for engineering and scientific computations,
file management, business transaction processing, and other similar tasks. The
powerful minicomputer is called a "Super-Minis". Examples: Micro VAX, PAP1,
IBM OS/400, VAX.
Advantages:
• Mini computers are inexpensive.
• Suitable for both private and commercial usage
• Due to their small size, it is easy to transport and use these types of
computers.
• This computer makes no noise during operation because it lacks heat
dissipation via fans.
Disadvantages:
• These computers do not have either a CD or a DVD drive.
• The screen size in these types of computers is small, as is the keyboard.
• These computers cannot be upgraded because the hardware components
inside are fixed.
• Because they have limited RAM space, these computers cannot store large
amounts of data.

Micro Computer
It is the smallest computer on the basis of size. It has single I/O terminal, so it is
developed for a single user. It has least storage capacity, slowest processing speed
and cheapest cost. It can be portable or non-portable. It is used for personal use
such as creating documents, accessing Internet, small scale processing,
entertainment, communication. Example: Desktop PC, Laptop. The primary
function of the microprocessor is to perform arithmetic and logical operations at
high speed with great accuracy. Microcomputers can perform trillions of
operations per second.
Workstation
A workstation is a computer or group of computers used primarily by a single user
to perform professional or commercial work. These types of computers have more
computational (processing) power than a standard PC. They are primarily used for
video editing, playing high-graphic games, 3D animation, etc.
Advantages:
• These computers are designed to last a long time.
• This computer performs better than a personal computer.
• If an issue or problem arises in these computers, it is simple to diagnose.
• These computers have a larger keyboard than a laptop and are simple to use.
• It has more memory than a PC and multiple processors attached to it.
• These computers are easily scalable as you necessitate more memory and
processing power.
Disadvantages:
• Since these types of computers are larger than laptops, they are more
challenging to transport.
• These computers are extremely heavy, which makes them difficult to move
and transport.

Portable Computer
Portable computers, such as laptops and PDAs, have surpassed desktop computers
in popularity. The best feature of this portable computer is that it is lightweight and
portable. Laptops have all of the same components as desktop computers, but they
are more compact and smaller in size.
A palm-sized portable digital assistant (PDA) is another type of portable computer.
As a result, it is also known as a palmtop computer. PDAs are used to keep track of
appointments, take important notes, set reminders, perform mathematical
calculations, play games, and even surf the internet and send emails. In 1993,
Apple released the Newton, the first personal digital assistant.
On the basis of Data

Analog Computer
These computers represent data using continuous physical quantities. (Analog
data is constantly changing data that cannot have discrete values.) These
computers read the continuous change in input, process it, and then output it.
Analog computers can be classified into four types: slide rules, differential
analyzers, castle clocks, and electronic analog computers. These computers also
monitor real-world conditions such as temperature, wind, sound, and movement.
Advantages:
• Sensors are not required to convert the input/output to/from digital form.
• Since this computer supports parallel and real-time operations, many signal
values can be computed at the same time.
• The analog computer setup requires the programmer to scale the dynamic
range of the computer, which provides a good understanding of the system
and the problem.

Disadvantages:
• Analog computers are quite costly.
• The accuracy of these types of computers is limited.

Digital Computer
These computers represent data using discrete values. These types of computers
store data in a numerical format (0 and 1) and performs operations on that data
using mathematical manipulation. Any input given in any language is first
converted into binary language, and then the computer processes the information.
Advantages:
• A digital computer is easily programmable; hence it can process many
different sets of instructions without being physically reconfigured.
• These types of computers can store loads of data, which is very accurate.
 • Digital computers are more reliable, flexible, and compatible than analog
computers.
Disadvantages:
• Analog computers use less energy and generate less heat than digital
computers.
• The components of a digital computer are highly fragile; hence it should be
handled with extreme care, as a single unit can bring an entire unit down.

Hybrid Computer
A hybrid computer is made after combining analog and digital computers. As a
result, these computers are fast like analog computers and have memory and
accuracy like digital computers.
These computers are commonly used in specialized applications requiring analog
and digital data processing. A hybrid computer, for example, is used in hospitals to
monitor patients’ heartbeats.
Advantages:
• Allows for online data processing
• It aids in the real-time solution of large equations.
• These types of computers produce quick and accurate results.
• It requires analog accuracy but digital computer speed.

Disadvantages:
• A hybrid computer is more expensive than an analog or digital computer.
• Before designing a hybrid computer, proper planning for software, hardware,
and other configurations is required.
On the basis of purpose
General Purpose Computer
A general-purpose computer is built to do a variety of common tasks. Computers
of this type have the ability to store multiple programs. They can be applied in the
workplace, in science, in education, and even at home. Such computers are
adaptable, but they are also less effective and move more slowly. They are used for
• Document processing
• Performing calculations,
• Accounting,
• Data and information management

Specific Purpose Computer

A single specific task can be handled by a specific-purpose computer, which is
designed to execute a certain task. They aren’t made to manage several programs.
They were therefore not adaptable. Since they are made to handle a specific task,
they are more efficient and faster than general-purpose computers. These
computers are utilized for things like airline reservations, air traffic control, and
satellite tracking.
Examples of special-purpose computers:
• Robots used in a manufacturing industry for production only.
• Mobile phones used for communication only.
• Calculators that carry out calculations only.
• Computers used in Digital watches.
• Computers used in Petrol pumps.