Types of Computer.

The computer can be categorized:

1) On the basis of Operation (or Work)
i)
Analog Computer
ii)
Digital Computer
iii)
Hybrid Computer
2) On the basis of size.
i)
Super Computer
ii)
Mainframe Computer
iii)
Mini Computer
iv)
MicroComputer
a) Personal Computer.
b) Workstation.
c) Portable Computer (e.g. Laptops, Palmtops, Notebooks)
3) On the basis of brand
i)
IBM PC (International Business Machine Personal Computer)
ii)
IBM Compatible
iii)
Apple/Macintosh
4) On the basis of model
i)
XT (Extended Technology)_
ii)
AT (Advanced Technology)
iii)
PS/2 (Personal System-2)
On the basis of Operation (or Work)
Analog Computer
In this type of Computers, the information is represented by the magnitude of
continuously varying signals. For e.g., numbers from 0 to 50 may be represented on a
scale of 0 to 5 volts, so that 3.5 volts may represents the number 35. Thermometer
measures temperature based on analog principle, it measures not by doing any
calculations, but by comparing the relative expansion of mercury. Thus it measures
physical values such as temperature or pressure that fall along a continuous scale or
variance in temperature or pressure. Some example of analog devices is Service station
gasoline pump, Speedometer in cars, motor cycles etc. Finally, we say a change
measurement device with reference to other is called analog computer. Seismograph is an
example of analog computer.
i)

ii)
Digital Computers:
Digital Computers operate by counting discrete quantified data represented by electronic
pulses. These electronic pulses are either "ON" or "OFF". An example of digital signal is

the electronic signal, which operates the oil pressure warning light in a car. The light
glows and informs the driver only when the oil pressure is below a certain level. Digital
Computers are used in number of applications. They are mainly used in data processing,
word processing, documentation, graphical representation etc. The important features of
digital computer are:
a) The things that can be done on analog computers can also be done on digital
computer, however the reverse is not true.
b) Digital Computers may be used and understood without much mathematical
background unlike in the case of analog computer.
c) The digital computers are accurate and are extensively used in many areas of
applications.
d) The flexibility offered by digital computers is very high.
iii)
Hybrid Computer
They are special purpose computer and design of which is formed by combining the
design features of analog and digital computers. Hybrid computer can transfer data from
analog to digital and vice versa. They are used in special application fields, like big
industries, scientific research, airplane etc. Jetplanes are facilitated with hybrid computer
and they can fly day and night towards the direction of destination assigned. The
Computer gives information about humidity, air pressure, temperature, weight, speed etc.
Before take off and in the air, the computer gives information about each component of
plane.
On the basis of Size
i) Super Computers:
They belong to the most powerful class of computer. They are the fastest
calculating machine ever
invented. Super Computer can cost over $50 million each, so most super
computers are used by government agencies. These machines are for application
requiring large programs and huge amount of data that must be processed quickly.
Examples are weather forecasting, weapons research, animation, and large -scale
simulation. Super Computer Y-MP/C90 made by Cray Research Inc. can perform
as many as 2.1 billion mathematical calculations per second. More powerful
Super Computer consists of thousands of integrated microprocessors. One
massively parallel processing computer built by Intel Corporation is capable of
performing 8.6 billion mathematical calculations per seconds. E.g. cray-1, ETA10,
Y-MP/C90 etc.
ii)Mainframe:
The mainframe computer is a large, fast multi-user computer system, designed to
manage very large amount of data and very complex computing task. Mainframes
are usually installed in large corporation, Universities, or military installation, and
can support hundreds, even thousands of users. They can be used for any types of
application area because of their higher memory capacity. The space required for
the installation of these computers is about 100 sq. feet because of its peripheral
device connected to it are also very large viz. central processing unit, 4 to 8 tape

units,4 to 6 hard disk unit, many display unit and so on. Some examples of
mainframe are IBM360, IBM370, IBM1401,ICL 2950/10.
iii)Minicomputer:
They were introduced in 60's and are smaller than mainframe. They are medium
sized computer system capable of managing over 100 users simultaneously. They
are suitable for use in small company or single corporation or government
department. They support a variety of peripheral devices, software packages and
languages. Examples are PDP11/45, VAX RANGE, Neck, Data General etc.
iv)
Microcomputer: They are based on a single chip processor. The development of
large-scale Integration (LSI) technology in the early 1970,s gave birth to
microcomputers. They are small in size, low price, uses BASIC, FORTRAN,
PASCAL,C/C++ etc languages. They support floppy disk, hard disk or magnetic
tapes.
Types of Micro-computer
a) Personal Computer (PC): They are portable machine that is they can be carried easily
from place to place. Personal Computer is specially designed for use by one person at
a time equipped with its own Central Processing Unit, memory, operating system,
keyboard, and monitor, hard & floppy disk as well as peripheral when needed. This
machine can run comparatively easy to use application software such as the word
processor, spreadsheets etc. e.g. Acer, Compaq etc.
b) Workstations: They are expensive, powerful machine used by scientists, engineers,
and other professionals who process a lot of data. Unlike PC, Workstations use
sophisticated display screen featuring high-resolution color graphics and operating
systems such as Unix that permitted multitasking. Workstations also use powerful
networking links to other computers. The most significant distinguishable factor is
powerful processor relatively to Personal Computer (PC). Examples are Sun, Apollo,
NeXT etc. However, these days Personal as powerful as workstation are available.
c) Portable Computers: These Days Computer are becoming smaller as well as
powerful. Laptops, Notebooks etc are examples of portable computers.
Laptops may be either Ac-powered, battery powered or both. Laptop has a size
smaller than that of a briefcase. They can be taken from one place to another on hand.
Notebook is still smaller in size than Laptops. These Computer fit easily into any
briefcase.