TYPES OF COMPUTERS

MICROCOMPUTER

A relatively small, inexpensive computer

which contains a central processing unit (CPU)
made out of a microprocessor. The computer
also includes memory and input/output (I/O)
mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB)

Commodore PET 2001, the Apple II, and the TRS-80 Model 1

MINI COMPUTER

A smaller, less expensive and less

powerful computer compared to a
mainframe or supercomputer but more
expensive and powerful than a personal
computer. They were used for scientific
and engineering computations, business
transactions and other miscellaneous
tasks. They declined in popularity after
breakthroughs in microprocessors allowed Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-8 on display at the National Museum
32-bit systems to outperform them. Of American History

MAINFRAME COMPUTER

Larger and more powerful than the

computers above but not as large and
powerful to a super computer, mainframe
computers are used primarily for bulk
data processing and large-scale
transaction processing. They’re also used
as servers.

A single-frame IBM z15 M ainframe.

SUPER COMPUTER

Supercomputers are computers with a

high level of performance as compared to
the computers previously mentioned.
They’re vital in the field of computational
science, and are used for a wide range of
computationally intensive tasks in many
fields including quantum mechanics,
weather forecasting, climate research, oil
The IBM Blue Gene/P Supercomputer “Intrepid” at Argonne National Laboratory.
and gas exploration and many more tasks.
 TYPE OF COMPUTER SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Type of software Purpose EXAMPLE

OPERATING Allows the device to boot
SYSTEMS up and includes protocols
for installing and
operating applications on
the device to provide
functionality
WINDOWS 7, An operating system made by Microsoft.
DEVICE DRIVER Enables communication
between the operating
system and a hardware
device.
Example of various Device Drivers.
FIRMWARE Operates a hardware
device by telling it how to
perform

Examples of firmware.

UTILITIES Supports the computer

infrastructure, helps the
operating system perform
tasks, such as data
security, to keep the
computer running
effectively

Examples of Computer Utilities

PROGRAMMING A type of systems
LANGUAGE software that translates
TRANSLATOR code from one
programming language to
another into machine
code, a low-level
language the computer
can interpret

An example of how the process of translating programming language happens

NEXT PAGE: TYPE OF COMPUTER INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES

TYPE OF INPUT/OUTPUT PURPOSE Example

DEVICE
KEYBOARD INPUT Establishes a connection
with the computer either
by WIFI or USB system,
enabling the user to enter
data onto the system.

A MX Keys S Keyboard
MOUSE INPUT Allows the user to move
the cursor on the screen.

A MX Anywhere 3S Wireless Bluetooth Mouse

JOYSTICK INPUT Allows the user to move
the cursor on the screen
but not the same as a
mouse, can move in all
directions and is a
computer aid for various
programs.

A Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

SCANNER INPUT Converts physical media
on paper by scanning it
and then translating it
into a digital format.

A Epson Workforce DS-70000 A3 Flatbed Docume

Scanner with Duplex ADF.
MICROPHONE INPUT Converts sound into a
digital form for various
purposes.

A Shure SM58 Microphone

MONITOR OUTPUT Displays information such
as images, text, video and
graphics information via a
computer’s video card.

A Dell 27 QHD Monitor

PRINTERS OUTPUT Prints information from
the computer onto paper.

A HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2776 All-in-One Wirel

Printer.
SPEAKERS OUTPUT Produces sound after
receiving a command
from the computer.

A pair of Logitech Z333 2.1 Computer Speakers

PROJECTOR OUTPUT Presents visuals on the
screen, stationary and
moving.

A Viewsonic LS550WHE WXGA 3000 ANSI Lumens L

Projector
VIDEO CARD OUTPUT It improvises the digital
content appearance in
other output devices.

A 6GB GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Video Card

 TYPES OF HARDWARE THAT CAN BE BROUGHT AROUND AND THOSE THAT CAN’T BE BROUGHT
AROUND ANYWHERE

IMAGE EXAMPLE OF HARDWARE TYPE OF PORTABLE/ EXPLAINATION

HARDWARE NOT
PORTABLE
Desktop computers consist of multiple
components such as a keyboard, mouse,
monitor and computer case, making it
DESKTOP NOT difficult to bring around and use.
COMPUTER PORTABLE

A typical Desktop Computer Setup

Laptops are designed to be portable,
accessible and lightweight for users who
need to change locations frequently.

LAPTOP PORTABLE

A Microsoft 15” Surface Laptop 3.

A printer of this size is too heavy and big

to effectively be portable, it is normally
left in one place once moved into a
desired location.

PRINTER NOT
PORTABLE

A PlotWave 7500 Canon Printer

 Due to their size and requirements such
as temperature, power consumption and
maintenance, servers are not portable.

SERVER NOT
PORTABLE

A typical data center server room

Projectors are designed to be portable,

light and slim as their primary function is
to connect to a device and display images
onto a screen.

PROJECTOR PORTABLE

A Epson EB-E10 Projector