UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER
A computer is one of the most brilliant inventions
of mankind. Thanks to the computer technology, we
were able to achieve storage and processing of huge
amounts of data; we could rest our brains by employing
computer memory capacities for storing information. Due
to computers, we have been able to speed up daily
work, carry out critical transactions and achieve
accuracy and precision in work. Computers of the earlier
years were of the size of a large room and were required
to consume huge amounts of electric power.
Different Types of Computers
Based on the operational principle of computers,
they are categorized as:
• Analog Computers
• Digital Computers
• Hybrid Computers
Different Types of Computers
Analog Computers
These are almost extinct today. These are different
from a digital computer because an analog computer
can perform several mathematical operations
simultaneously. It uses continuous variables for
mathematical operations and utilizes mechanical or
electrical energy.
Different Types of Computers
Analog Computers
The ancient Greek-designed Analog computing machine
Antikythera mechanism, at the Lewis Flight Propulsion
dating between 150 and 100 Laboratory circa 1949
BC, is the world's oldest
known analog computer.
Different Types of Computers
Analog Computers
Heathkit EC-1 educational analog computerPolish analog computer AKAT-1
Different Types of Computers
Digital Computers
They use digital circuits and are designed to operate on two
states, namely bits 0 and 1. They are analogous to states ON and
OFF. Data on these computers is represented as a series of 0s and
1s. Digital computers are suitable for complex computation and have
higher processing speeds. They are programmable. Digital computers
are either general purpose computers or special purpose ones.
Special purpose computers, as their name suggests, are designed for
specific types of data processing while general purpose computers
are meant for general use.
Different Types of Computers
Digital Computers
IBM PC
Apple Macintosh
Different Types of Computers
Digital Computers
Digital Watches
CALCULATORS
Different Types of Computers
Hybrid Computers
These computers are a combination of both digital and analog
computers. In this type of computers, the digital segments perform
process control by conversion of analog signals to digital ones.
Different Types of Computers
Hybrid Computers
ATM Machines Hybrid Machines are
generally used in
controlling industrial
processes
Different Types of Computers
Hybrid Computers
Hybrid computer is the Devices used in petrol pump
computer used in
hospitals to measure the
heartbeat of the patient
Classification of Computers
The following are the classification of the different
types of computers based on their sizes and
functionalities:
• Mainframe Computers
• Mini Computers
• Servers
• Supercomputers
• Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Desktops
Laptops
Netbooks
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
Tablet Computers
Wearable Computers
Classification of Computers
Mainframe Computers
Large organizations use mainframes for highly critical
applications such as bulk data processing and ERP. Most of the
mainframe computers have the capacities to host multiple operating
systems and operate as a number of virtual machines and can
substitute for several small servers.
Classification of Computers
Mainframe Computers
Classification of Computers
Minicomputers
In terms of size and processing capacity, minicomputers lie in
between mainframes and microcomputers. Minicomputers are also
called mid-range systems or workstations. The term began to be
popularly used in the 1960s to refer to relatively smaller third
generation computers.
Classification of Computers
Minicomputers
Classification of Computers
Servers
They are computers designed to provide services to client
machines in a computer network. They have larger storage capacities
and powerful processors. Running on them are programs that serve
client requests and allocate resources like memory and time to client
machines. Usually they are very large in size, as they have large
processors and many hard drives. They are designed to be fail-safe
and resistant to crash.
Classification of Computers
Servers
Classification of Computers
Supercomputers
The highly calculation-intensive tasks can be effectively
performed by means of supercomputers. Quantum physics,
mechanics, weather forecasting, molecular theory are best studied by
means of supercomputers. Their ability of parallel processing and
their well-designed memory hierarchy give the supercomputers, large
transaction processing powers.
Classification of Computers
Supercomputers
Classification of Computers
Microcomputers
A computer with a microprocessor and its central processing
unit it is known as a microcomputer. They do not occupy space as
much as mainframes do. When supplemented with a keyboard and a
mouse, microcomputers can be called personal computers. A monitor,
a keyboard and other similar input output devices, computer memory
in the form of RAM and a power supply unit come packaged in a
microcomputer. These computers can fit on desks or tables and prove
to be the best choice for single-user tasks.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Desktops
A desktop is intended to be used on a single location. The
spare parts of a desktop computer are readily available at relatively
lower costs. Power consumption is not as critical as that in laptops.
Desktops are widely popular for daily use in the workplace and
households.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Desktops
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Laptops
Similar in operation to desktops, laptop computers are
miniaturized and optimized for mobile use. Laptops run on a single
battery or an external adapter that charges the computer batteries.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Laptops
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Netbooks
They fall in the category of laptops, but are inexpensive and
relatively smaller in size. They had a smaller feature set and lesser
capacities in comparison to regular laptops, at the time they came into
the market.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Netbooks
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs)
It is a handheld computer and popularly known as a palmtop.
It has a touch screen and a memory card for storage of data. PDAs
can also be used as portable audio players, web browsers and smart
phones. Most of them can access the Internet by means of Bluetooth
or Wi-Fi communication.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs)
PORTABLE AUDIO PLAYER
SMART PHONES
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Tablet Computers
Tablets are mobile computers that are very handy to use. They
use the touch screen technology. Tablets come with an onscreen
keyboard or use a stylus or a digital pen. Apple's iPod redefined the
class of tablet computers.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Tablet Computers
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Wearable Computers
Tablets are mobile computers that are very handy to use. They use the touch
screen technology. Tablets come with an onscreen keyboard or use a stylus or a digital
pen. Apple's iPod redefined the class of tablet computers. Wearable Computers: A record-
setting step in the evolution of computers was the creation of wearable computers. These
computers can be worn on the body and are often used in the study of behavior modeling
and human health. Military and health professionals have incorporated wearable computers
into their daily routine, as a part of such studies. When the users' hands and sensory
organs are engaged in other activities, wearable computers are of great help in tracking
human actions. Wearable computers do not have to be turned on and off and remain in
operation without user intervention.
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Wearable Computers