Chapter - 1
Computer – Its Classification
What is a Computer?
• Computer is an electronic device that receives
instructions, processes it, and gives us the output.
• It works very fast.
• It can perform millions of tasks in a second.
• It is accurate
Classifications of
computers
According to purpose
1) Analog Computer
• Takes different inputs and gives an approximate
result after comparison
• Works on the principle of analogous data.
2) Digital Computer
• Works on the principle of binary mathematics.
• Calculations are represented as 0 and 1.
3) Hybrid Computer
• Combination of analog and digital computers.
• It offers a cost-effective method used to perform
complex simulations.
According to size
1) Super computer
• Biggest & most powerful computer
• Perform large & complex calculative tasks at very high
speed.
• As big as the size of a room and can process 1 trillion
instructions per seconds.
• Uses – Weather forecasting, nuclear power stations, military
simulation, research laboratories, animation movies etc.
2) Mainframe Computer
• It has the capacity to host multiple OS.
• First developed by IBM.
• It can perform millions of instructions per second.
• Uses – For scientific research and doing bulk
mathematical operations.
3) Server
• It is the lifeblood of any network.
• It provides a centralized storage area for programs,
data & information.
• Depending on usage, small & big servers are there.
• Found in offices, schools & banks
• It supports 2 to several thousand connected
computers at the same time.
4) Microcomputer
• It is known as personal computer(PC)
• Smallest of all computers.
• Important part of a microcomputer is microprocessor also
called its brain.
• Designed small enough to be used by a single person
• Uses - Creating documents, doing calculations, keeping
records etc
• Desktop computers & Notebook computers are type of
microcomputer
• Desktop Computer • Notebook Computer
• Made for use on a desk in schools,
homes & offices. • It is also called as laptop.
• It is designed in such a way that • Designed as small & lightweight that
the system unit, input devices, can be easily carry from one place to
output devices and all other parts another
are fit entirely on a desk or a • It has built-in keyboard, touchpad
table. and display screen
5) Mobile Devices
• Small enough to carry in a pocket or a bag.
• Used to store data permanently on the memory
inside it or small storage media such as memory
cards.
• Types – Tablet PC, Smartphones, E-Book Readers,
Smartwatches, Digital Camera, Game Console
• Tablet PC • Smartphone
• Portable computer which • It is an internet-enabled
has a touch screen phone.
• We can use it by touching • In addition to basic phone
the screen with finger or facilities, it allows to send &
digital pen receive e-mail messages and
• Latest tablets resemble access the internet
smartphones • It also function as media
player and also include digital
camera
• E-Book Reader • Smartwatch
• Device used for reading e-
books. • It is a mobile device with
touch screen display,
• E-book is the electronic designed to worn on wrist.
version of a printed book
• It can work on its own or
• It have a touch screen & paired with a smartphone.
internet enabled.
• It shows time, track physical
activities & shows
notifications like messages,
emails, calls and social
networks.
• Digital Camera • Game Console
• It helps us to take • Designed for single
pictures and store player or multi player
photographed images video games.
digitally. • It has a handheld
• We can also copy images controller as an input
from digital camera to device, television screen
hard disk of computer. as outpt device &
memory cards for
storage.