CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Computers can be classified according to the following factors:

1.      Physical size & processing power.

2.      Purpose for which they are designed.

3.      Functionality (Method/ mode of operation).

4.      Generation(Year of Development)

 

 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL SIZE.

When Computers are classified according to their size, they fall into 4 main groups

1.      Supercomputers.

2.      Mainframe computers.

3.      Minicomputers.

4.      Microcomputers.

Supercomputers.

·         Supercomputers are the fastest, largest, most expensive & also the most powerful computers available.

·         They are very fast in processing.  They can perform many complex calculations in a fraction of a second. Most Supercomputers use multiple processors.

·         Supercomputers generate a lot of heat, & therefore require special cooling systems. Supercomputers are very large & heavy, and are usually kept under special environmental conditions (i.e., in a special room).

·         They are operated by computer specialists

 

AREAS WHERE SUPERCOMPUTERS ARE USED:

Supercomputers are mainly used for complex scientific applications that require a lot of computational power.  Some of the applications that use supercomputers include;

 

)Weather forecasting.

)Petroleum research.

)Defense and weapon analysis.

) Aerodynamic design and simulation.

 

Note.  These tasks use large amounts of data, which need to be manipulated within a very short time.

 

Servers forming part of the Fugaku supercomputer are seen at Japan's government-run RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan, in a photo provided by the center.

MAINFRAME COMPUTERS.

 

·         Mainframes are less powerful & less expensive than supercomputers.

 

·         They are big in size but smaller compared to Supercomputers.

 

·         They are powerful computers with very high capacities of storage.  They also have a large backing storage capacity.

 

·         Have a very high processing speed, i.e., can process large amounts of data very quickly.

 

·         They can support a large number of peripherals of different types (can support between 5–300 terminals).

 

·         They can handle hundreds of users at the same time, e.g., they can be operated by 200 users at a time.

 

·         Mainframe computers are general-purpose, and can handle all kinds of problems whether scientific or commercial.

 

AREAS WHERE MAINFRAME COMPUTERS ARE USED:

Mainframe computers are mostly found in government departments, big organizations and companies which have large information processing needs, e.g., they are used;

 

a In Banks & Hospitals for preparing bills, Payrolls, etc.

 

a In communication networks such as the Internet where they act as Servers.

 

a By Airline reservation system where information of all the flights is stored.

Minicomputers.

 

·         A Minicomputer is physically smaller than a mainframe.  However, it can support the same peripheral devices supported by a mainframe.

 

·         A Minicomputer can support several users at a time, e.g., can be operated by 6 users at a time. 

·         Minicomputers are cheaper than the mainframes, but more costly than the microcomputers.

 

·         They handle small amounts of data, are less powerful, & have less memory than the mainframes.

 

AREAS WHERE MINICOMPUTERS ARE USED:

Minicomputers are used mainly in:

 

a Scientific laboratories & research institutions.

a Engineering plants/factories to control of chemical or mechanical processes.

a Space industry.

a Insurance companies & Banks for accounting purposes.

a Smaller organizations as Network Servers.

 

Microcomputers.

·         Microcomputers are the PCs mostly found today in homes, schools & many small offices.  They are called Personal Computers (PCs) because they are designed to be used by one person at a time.

 

·         The data processing in microcomputers is done by a Microprocessor (a single chip containing the Arithmetic Logic unit & Control unit).

 

·         Microcomputers are smaller in size & also cheaper than minicomputers.  They are less powerful than minicomputers & their internal memory is smaller than that of minicomputers. 

 

AREAS WHERE MICROCOMPUTERS ARE USED:

Microcomputers are commonly used in:

 

a Training and learning institutions such as schools.

a Small business enterprises, and

a Communication center as terminals. 

 

 

Examples of microcomputers include Desktops, Laptops, Note Books, Smartphones, and Smart Watches.

 

 NB Microcomputers have become very popular because of the following reasons:

 

1)        Are cheaper than both mini & mainframe computers.

2)        Are becoming increasingly fast

3)        Small in size, hence they occupy less space in an office.

4)        Are more energy-efficient (i.e., consume less power).

 

·         A laptop is a PC sufficiently small & light such that a user can use it comfortably on his/her lap.  It is designed to be used by placing it on the lap.

·         Laptops are very small in size & are portable.