Types of Computers Based on size and capacity

According to the size and memory/storage capacity, computers are of the following four types:

1. Supercomputer: It is the biggest and fastest computer, which mainly designed for complex scientific applications. It has many CPU's (Central Processing Units- main part of computer) which parallel to make it as fastest computer. Supercomputer is mainly used for following applications like weather information, Energy Management, and etc. CRAY was the first super computer of world and PARAM 10000, ANURAG are Supercomputers of India.

2. Mainframes Computer: These are very large and fast computers but smaller and slowest than supercomputers. They are used in a centralized location where many terminals ( Input/output devices) are connected with one CPU and thus, allow different users to share the single CPU. Mainframe computers are mainly used in Railway and Airline Reservation application, Banking applications, commerical applications of industries and companies. Examples of mainframe computers are IBM 3090, IBM 4381, IBM 4300, IBM ES 9000.

3. Minicomputers: These are medium - scale, smaller and gernerally slower than mainframes computers. Like mainframe computers, they have many terminals which are connected with CPU and can support many users. The cost of a minicomputer is less as compared to mainframes. Minicomputers are mainly used in applications where processing can be distributed among several minicomputers rather than using a mainframe computer. PDI-1, DEC Micro VAX and IBM AS/400 are few examples of minicomputers.

4. Microcomputers: It is the smallest digital computer, which uses microprocessor as its CPU. Microcomputers are popularly called a personal computer (PC). The PC's can be used both as a stand alone machine and a terminal in a multi- user environment for all types of application. It is a very popular now a days due to very high processing power and memory. There are two types of PC's.

5. Desktop PC's: It fit on desktop and are used widely in offices and home.

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1. Portable PC's or Laptop/Notebook (Palmtop) : Portable computers can be carried from one place to another. Some of the models of portable computers are called laptop while others as note book computers. Notebook computer are smaller, lighter and costiler than laptop. Notebook computers are also called Palmtops.

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