INFORMATION SHEET 1.

Main types of computer and basic features of different operating system

LEARNING OBJECTIVE/S:

1. Identify what are the main types of computers.

2. Identify what are an operating system and its features.

MAIN TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Mainframe A mainframe computer is a large, powerful computer that

handles the processing for many users simultaneously (up to
several hundred users).

Supercomputer Supercomputers are used for extremely calculation-intensive

tasks such resource exploration, movie animation,
aerodynamic flows, and global weather patterns.

Minicomputer Minicomputer is a multi-user computer that lies in the

middle range of computers and is less powerful than a
mainframe and can fill part of a room.

Microcomputers – PC The phrase, "microcomputer" has been largely replaces

with "personal computer" or "PC," which has been designed
to be used by one person at a time. Personal computers are
mostly used in businesses, schools, and homes.
Desktop Computers A desktop computer is a commonly called a (PC)
(personal computer). It is intended for use at a single
location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable
computer.

Laptop Laptop or Notebook computers are portable microcomputers

small and lightweight enough to be carried around with the
user. They run on battery power, but can also be plugged
into a wall outlet.

Tablet Computers Tablet PCs tend to weigh between three and five
pounds and have 12.1-inch screens.

Advantages

More natural form of input - sketching and handwriting

are a much more familiar form of input than a keyboard and
mouse, especially for people who are new to computers.

Portability - slate tablets and hybrids without keyboards are

very slim and light compared to typical laptops and can
easily be tucked under the arm like a book.
PDA & Pocket PCMost have a touch-sensitive LCD screen for both output and
input (the user draws characters and presses icons on the
screen with a stylus).

Smart Phones Smart phones can have computer technology that lets you
access the Internet. With most cell phones now you can,
listen to music and take pictures or video, send text
messages and e-mail

OPERATING SYSTEMS

An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer

hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a
computer operating system, a computer would be useless.

Operating system types

As computers have progressed and developed so have the operating systems.

Below is a basic list of the different operating systems and a few examples of
operating systems that fall into each of the categories. Many computer
operating systems will fall into more than one of the below categories.

GUI - Short for Graphical User Interface, a GUI Operating System contains
graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse.
See the GUI definition for a complete definition.

Below are some examples of GUI Operating Systems.

 System 7.x

 Windows 98
  Windows CE

Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the
same computer at the same time and different times. Below are some examples
of multi-user operating systems.

 Linux

 Unix

 Windows 2000

Multiprocessing - An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing

more than one computer processor. Below are some examples of
multiprocessing operating systems.

 Linux

 Unix

 Windows 2000

Multitasking - An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple

software processes to run at the same time. Below are some examples of
multitasking operating systems.

 Unix

 Windows 2000

Multithreading - Operating systems that allow different parts of software

program to run concurrently. Operating systems that would fall into this
category are:

 Linux

 Unix
  Windows 2000

Commonly Used Operating System

1. Linux and Variants

2. MacOS
3. MS-DOS
4. IBM OS/2 Warp
5. Unix and Variants
6. Windows CE
7. Windows 3.x
8. Windows 95
9. Windows 98
10. Windows 98 SE
11. Windows ME
12. Windows NT
13. Windows 2000
14. Windows XP
15. Windows Vista
16. Windows 7
17. Windows 8
18. Windows 10

Operating systems

Operating system
An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer
hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a
computer operating system, a computer would be useless.

Operating system types

GUI - Stands for Graphical User Interface, a GUI Operating System contains
graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse.

 Linux

 Windows

Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use
the same computer at the same time and different times. 

 Linux Server

 Debian and Cent OS

 SUSE Enterprise Linux

 Red Hat Enterprise Linux

 Ubuntu Server

 Clear OS

 Windows Server

 Windows 2000

 Windows Server 2003

 Windows Server 2003 R2

 Windows Server 2008

 Windows Server 2008 R2

 Windows Server 2012

 Windows Server 2012 R2

Multiprocessing - An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing
more than one computer processing.

 OS/2

 Unix

Multitasking - An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple

software processes to run at the same time.

 Windows 2000

 IBM’s OS/390

 Linux

Multithreading - Operating systems that allow different parts of software

program to run concurrently.

 Linux

 Unix

 Windows

Commonly Used Operating System as of Today (Start of Golden Age of

Computers)

 Linux and Variants

 Mac OS

 MS-DOS

 IBM OS/2 Warp

 UNIX and Variants

 Windows