Computer Classification
A computer is a device that transforms unusable data into information. According to the set of instructions the user gives it, it processes the input and generates the desired outcome. Modern digital computers are classified on the basis of their size and capacity. The size and data handling capabilities of the various types of computers may be used to categorize them into two groups.
1. Computers according to Size:
Supercomputer.
Mainframe computer.
Personal computer.
Workstation.
Minicomputer.
2. Computers according to their Capacity to manage data:
Digital computer.
Hybrid computer.
Analog computer.
Classification of Computers
Classification of Computers with Examples
Different classifications of Computers are as follows.
Classification According to Size
There are four different sorts of computers based on their size and how they are configured to operate:
1. Supercomputers
Supercomputer
The most efficient computers in terms of processing data and performance are supercomputers. These computers are used for research and exploratory purposes. Supercomputers are exceedingly large and highly expensive. It can only fit in large, air-conditioned spaces.
Supercomputers are used for a range of tasks, such as space exploration, seismic research, and the testing of nuclear weapons.
Supercomputer Features:
They make use of AI (Artificial intelligence)
They are the fastest and strongest;
They are very costly.
They are enormous in size.
They are employed by companies that manufacture goods.
They process information at a rapid rate.
Examples:
Fugaku (Japan)
IBM Blue Gene
Cray XT5
2. Mainframe Computers
Mainframe Computers
Despite being less efficient than supercomputers, mainframe computers are nevertheless extremely expensive. Large corporations and governmental organizations frequently employ mainframe computers to run everyday operations. They have the ability to store and analyze a lot of data. To maintain information on their customers, students, and insurance policyholders, banks, colleges, and insurance companies utilize them. They may also act as a server in a network environment. Hundreds of users may be managed simultaneously by them.
Mainframe Computer Features:
They have enormous amounts of memory.
They are capable of running several different operating systems.
They have a significant number of CPUs with powerful processing speeds.
Tightly Coupled Clustering Technology is employed.
Examples:
IBM Z Series
Unisys ClearPath
3. Minicomputers
Mini Computer
Minicomputers are used by small businesses and industries. They go by the term "Midrange Computers." These minicomputers frequently have several users, just as mainframe computers. They are a bit slower than mainframe computers.
For example, the manufacturing department may employ minicomputers to keep an eye on specific production processes.
Features of Minicomputers:
It is smaller than mainframes or supercomputers in terms of size.
In comparison to a mainframe or supercomputer, it is less costly.
It is able to perform many jobs at once.
It may be utilized by several users simultaneously.
It is utilized by small businesses.
Examples:
DEC PDP-11
Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
VAX Systems
4. Microcomputers.
Micro Computer
A microcomputer, sometimes referred to as a personal computer (PC), is a type of computer that runs on a smaller scale than traditional computers (Personal Computer). A component that is commonly referred to as a motherboard houses the central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, memory in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), I/O ports, and a bus system of connecting wires. They are the most affordable.
Features of Microcomputers:
They are extensively employed for personal usage.
They are smaller and comparably less expensive.
Multi-user functionality is not supported.
It has a limited computational capacity.
They are quite simple to use.
Examples:
Desktop PCs
Laptops
Smartphones
Tablets
Raspberry Pi
Based on Capacity
According to fundamental operating principles, there are three different kinds of computers. They are as follows:
1. Analogous Computers
Analog computers process analog data. Temperature, pressure, weight, depth, and voltage are a few examples of this type of data. These have an infinite range of values and are continuous quantities.
The first computers were analog, and they laid the groundwork for today's digital computers.
Examples:
Analog thermometers
Speedometers
Flight simulators
Analogous Computers
2. Digital Computers
In digital computers, letters, numbers, and other special symbols are represented by digits. On-off (ON-OFF) inputs are used by digital computers, and ON-OFF signals are also generated by them.
An ON is often represented by a 1 and an OFF by a 0, respectively. A digital computer is capable of processing both numerical and non-numerical data. In addition to doing fundamental arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, it can also perform logical operations.
Examples:
Personal computers
Laptops
Smartphones
Servers
Digital Computer
3. Hybrid Computers
Computers that combine digital and analog components are called hybrid computers. It combines the best features of both types, having the speed of an analog computer with the memory and precision of a digital computer. Hybrid computers are typically used in specific applications where both forms of data need to be processed. As an example, a gas pump contains a processor that converts measurements of fuel flow into information about quality and cost.
Examples:
Hospital patient monitoring systems
Control systems in factories
Hybrid Computer
Solved Questions
1. Comparison between micro and mini-computers?
2. What are the uses of Super Computers?
Ans: Supercomputers are employed in data-intensive and computation-intensive scientific and technical operations including quantum mechanics, meteorology, fossil fuel extraction, molecular dynamics, physical modeling, aerodynamics, nuclear fusion research, etc.
Practice Questions
Write True or False:
1. Supercomputers are the fastest and strongest. (T/F)
2. There is only one processing optimization in Minicomputers. (T/F)
3. Supercomputers are employed in data-intensive operations. (T/F)
4. Microcomputers are capable of running several different operating systems. (T/F)
Summary
Computers are divided into several categories based on their architecture, the speed at which commands or instructions are carried out, the peripherals they use, and the tasks for which they were designed.
The different computer types may be divided into two groups based on their size and capacity for handling data.
There are five main kinds of computers based on size: PC (Personal Computer), minicomputer, microcomputers, supercomputers, and mainframe.
Additionally, there are three different kinds of computers based on their capacity to manage data: A computer can be digital, hybrid, or analog.
FAQs on Classification of Computers Based on Size and Capacity
1. What are the units of measuring data?
bit | bit | 0 or 1 |
Byte | B | 8 bite |
Kibibit | Kibit | 1024 bits |
kilobit | Kbit | 1000 bits |
kibibyte | KiB | 1024 bytes |
kilobyte | kB | 1000 bytes |
megabit | Mbit | 1000 kilobits |
mebibyte | MiB | 1024 kibibytes |
megabyte | MB | 1000 kilobytes |
gigabit | Gbit | 1000 megabits |
gibibyte | Gibbs | 1024 mebibytes |
gigabyte | GB | 1000 megabytes |
terabit | Tbit | 1000 gigabits |
tebibyte | TIB | 1024 gibibytes |
terabyte | TB | 1000 gigabyte |
Petabit | Pbit | 1000 terabyte |
pebibyte | PiB | 1024 tebibytes |
petabyte | PB | 1000 terabytes |
exabit | Ebit | 1000 petabits |
exbibyte | EiB | 1024 pebibytes |
exabyte | EB | 1000 petabytes |
2. Which is the largest computer?
Supercomputers are the most expensive and biggest computers available. Supercomputers are exceedingly large and highly expensive. It can only fit in large, air-conditioned spaces.
3. Which computer do most people use at home?
Microcomputers. A microcomputer is a type of computer that uses a single microprocessor chip as its central processing unit (CPU). Because they are made to be used by only one person at a time, they are more frequently referred to as personal computers. In general, people use personal computers at home, at school, or in the workplace.
4. What are the 4 classifications of computer
The four main classifications of computers are:
Based on Size: Supercomputers, Mainframe computers, Minicomputers, Microcomputers.
Based on Functionality: Analog computers, Digital computers, Hybrid computers.
Based on Purpose: General-purpose computers, Special-purpose computers.
Based on Data Processing: Serial computers, Parallel computers.
5. What are the 5 classifications of computer networks?
5 Types of Networks Explained
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Virtual Local Network (VLAN)
6. What are microcomputers, and where are they used?
Microcomputers, also known as personal computers, are small and affordable systems used for individual tasks. They are commonly used in homes, schools, and offices for word processing, gaming, and internet access.
7. What are mainframe computers, and who uses them?
Mainframe computers are large and powerful systems designed to handle and process massive amounts of data. They are used by banks, airlines, and government organisations for critical operations like transaction processing and large-scale computing.
8. How does the capacity of a computer affect its classification?
The capacity of a computer, including processing power, storage, and speed, determines its classification. For example, supercomputers have the highest capacity, while microcomputers have relatively lower capacity suitable for personal use.
9. What is the primary use of mainframe computers?
Mainframe computers are primarily used for processing large volumes of data in critical operations, such as handling financial transactions, airline reservations, and census data.
10. How does the size of a computer relate to its capacity?
Generally, the larger the computer, the higher its capacity. For example, mainframes and supercomputers are physically larger and more powerful than microcomputers, reflecting their ability to handle more complex tasks and larger data sets.
