Computer Fundamentals
Computer Types &
Components
Outline
Computer Types Overview
PC (Personal Computers)/Micro-Computer
WorkStations
Minicomputers
Mainframe Computers
Super Computers
Distributed System
Computer Components
Input Units
CPU
Output Units
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Computer Types Overview
Computers can be broadly classified by
their speed and computing power.
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PC (Personal Computer)
A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive
computer designed for an individual user. PCs are based
on the microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip.
Businesses use personal computers for word processing,
accounting, desktop publishing, and for running
spreadsheet and database management applications. At
home, the most popular use for personal computers is
for playing games and surfing the Internet.
Although personal computers are designed as single-
user systems, these systems are normally linked
together to form a network. In terms of power, nowadays
high-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same
computing power and graphics capability as low-end
workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and
DELL
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PC (Personal Computer)
An Example of PC:
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WorkStation
Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications
(CAD/CAM” Computer aided Manufacturing”), desktop
publishing, software development, and other such types of
applications, which require a moderate amount of
computing power and relatively high quality graphics
capabilities.
Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution
graphics screen, large amount of RAM, inbuilt network
support, and a graphical user interface. Most workstations
also have a mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a
special type of workstation, called a diskless workstation,
comes without a disk drive.
Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and
Windows 7/8/10/ Windows Server. Like PC, Workstations are
also single-user computers. However, workstations are
typically linked together to form a local-area network,
although they can also be used as stand-alone systems
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WorkStation
An Example of WorkStation:
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Minicomputer
It is a midsize computer. A minicomputer is
a multi-processing system capable of
supporting from up to 250 users
simultaneously.
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Mainframe
Mainframe is a very large in size and an
expensive computer capable of supporting
hundreds, or even thousands, of users
simultaneously. Mainframe executes
many programs concurrently. Mainframes
support many simultaneous programs
execution.
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Supercomputer
Supercomputers are one of the fastest
computers currently available.
Supercomputers are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that
require immense amounts of mathematical
calculations (number crunching). For example,
weather forecasting, scientific simulations,
(animated) graphics, fluid dynamic calculations,
nuclear energy research, electronic design, and
analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical
prospecting).
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Computer Components (1/4)
All types of computers follow a same basic
logical structure and perform the following
five basic operations for converting raw
input data into information useful to their
users.
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Computer Components (2/4)
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Computer Components (3/4)
Input Unit
This unit contains devices with the help of which we enter
data into computer. This unit makes link between user and
computer.
The input devices translate the human being information
into the form understandable by computer.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU
performs all types of data processing operations. It
stores data, intermediate results and instructions (program).
It controls the operations of all parts of computer.
CPU itself has the following three components
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Memory Unit
Control Unit
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Computer Components (4/4)
Output Unit
Output unit consists of devices with the
help of which we get the information
from computer. This unit is a link
between computer and users.
Output devices translate the computer's
output into the form understandable by
users.
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