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Classification of Computers

Classification of Computers Working Principle Number of users

/Electronic Signal /physical size,
performance

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Classification of Computers Based on

Analog Computers
Working Principle
used the continuously-
changeable aspects of
physical phenomena such
as electrical, mechanical,
or hydraulic quantities
Analog Computer Digital Computer Hybrid Computer to model the problem being
solved
Mainly used for Scientific
Design
Constructed to do a specific
job
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Digital Computers Hybrid computers

Mathematical expressions are A combination of computers
represented as binary digits (0 and 1) those are capable of inputting
All operations are done using these and outputting in both digital and
digits at a very high rate analog signals
It operates on electrical inputs that
have only two states, ON and OFF
Operates by counting as well as
by measuring
widely used in commercial and
control systems
Now a days the word computer, we
mostly refer digital computer.

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Classification of Computers Based on
Number of Users
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Desktop Computers
Sits on the desk or floor
Used in Schools, Colleges, Homes &
Office
Main Component is System Unit
System unit has Processing unit and
Storage Devices
Performs a variety of tasks
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WorkStation
More powerful than a desktop
Powerful processor, additional
memory & enhanced
capabilities
Optimized for 3D graphics, game
development, advanced
architecture design, engineering
design, modeling, animation
and video editing
Popular among scientists,
engineers and animators
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Computer For Individual Users
(Personal Computers PCs/ Micro Computers)
Small, Low cost Digital computer
Consist of microprocessor, a storage unit, an input channel
& an output channel
Smallest of computer family
TYPES:Desktop Computers
Workstations
Notebook computers
Tablet Computers
Hand Held computers
Smart Phones
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Desktop Computers
(2 Common Designs)
Horizontal Oriented System Vertical Oriented System
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Notebook Computers
(Laptops Portable computers)
Integrate display, keyboard, a
pointing device, processor,
memory and Hard drive all in a
Laptop
battery operated package
Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
About 8 by 11 inches
Typically as powerful as a
desktop
Can include a docking station
Biggest advantage can be
used anywhere at anytime
Docking station
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Tablet PCs
Tablet-Sized computer
Small laptop computer
equipped with a rotatable
touch screens
Accept input through a
special pen Stylus
Have built in Microphone
and Run specialized versions
of office products
Some models can be
connected to a keyboard and
full sized monitor
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Smart Phones
High end mobile phones
Offers more advanced
computing ability &
connectivity
Combine functions of PDA
and Mobile phones
Web, email access, special
software, hardware, digital
cameras, music players
Wi-Fi and Mobile broadband
access
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Network Servers
Centralized computer
All other computers connect
Provides access to network
resources
These computers configured with
additional processing power,
memory and storage
Multiple servers working together
are called server farms
It may be reduced to small units
called Blades
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Handheld PCs
(PDA Personal Digital Assistant)
Small enough to fit in hand(palm)
Usually do not have keyboards but rely on
touch screen
Have no disk drive, use small cards to store
programs and data
Can be connected to a printer, disk drive
User can access internet through wireless
connection
Note taking or contact management
Data can synchronize with a desktop
Has limited memory & less powerful compared
to desktop computers
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Computers for Organizations
Handle needs of many
people at same time
Used by business
organizations , schools
Each user interact with the
computer through their own
device
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Mini Computers
PDP-11/40 with TU56
dual DECtape drive
Called midrange computers
Power (speed, processing, storage capacity) between
mainframe and desktop
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Mini Computers Mainframe computers

Second largest
Generally used as desktop device connected to
mainframe Ultra high performance computer
made for high volume, processor
Meet the computing needs of several people
intensive computing
simultaneously (4 to 200)
Consist of a high-end computer
Serves as centralized storehouse for cluster of
processor with related peripheral
workstation (or) Network servers
devices, capable of supporting large
Used for real time controls, engineering design volumes of data processing, high
work, interactive applications, research organizations IBM's T-Rex mainframe performance online transaction
PDP11, IBM 8000 Series, VAX7500

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Mainframe computers Super Computers

Allow its users to maintain large information storage data
centralized location
Used for large scale computing that requires greater
availability and security
Used in large organizations
Handle thousands of users
Users access through a terminal
Dumb Terminal
Intelligent Terminal Has highest processing speed for solving scientific &
engineering problems
IBM ES000, VAX8000,CDC 6600
It has number of CPUs operate in parallel
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Super Computers
The most powerful, special purpose machines designed
to maximize the number of FLOPS(Floating Point
Operation per Second)
Processing speed 400 -10000 MFLOPS
Handle large and complex calculations in few hours
Process trillions of operations per second
Fastest, costliest & most powerful
Found in research organizations
Used by military strategist, cinematic specialist, scientist
to solve multi variant mathematical problems
CRAY-3, CYBER 205, PARAM
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