The Personal Computer(PC) is although the most popular computer system,there are other computer systems too,which are categorized on the basis of size,cost and performance.
Categories Of Computers
Personal Computer or Microcomputers
The microcomputer is also known as PC.It is small in size but capable of handling large tasks.It can perform diverse range of functions,from keeping track of household accounts to keeping records of a large manufacturing company.The most widespread example is the IBM PC,hewlett Packard(HP) and Dell based on microprocessors from Intel Corporation,PS/2 and Apple's Macintosh.
Minicomputers
A minicomputer is a small general purpose computer.Mini systems are usually designed to simultaneously handle the needs of multiple users, i.e more than one person use a minicomputer at the same time.
MAINFRAME COMPUTER
A mainframe is another form of a computer system that is generally more powerful than a typical mini system. Mainframe may themselves very widely in cost and capability. They are used in large organizations for large-scale jobs.
Currently IBM mainframes are dominant in the market, with Hitachi, Amdahl and Fujitsu are also producing machines. Prices start at several hundred thousand dollars.
SUPERCOMPUTER
At the end of size and capability scale are supercomputers. These systems are the largest, fastest and most expensive computers in the world. They are used for Bio-medical research, weather forecasting, chemical analysis in laboratory, complex scientific, and defense applications.
Blue Gene/L System is now the world’s fastest supercomputers. It is a joint development of IBM and DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and installed at DOE’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore.
Benefits and Limitations Of Computers
The fact that computers have made their impact on almost all aspects of life in today’s world can hardly be questioned. The question that you may ask here is that how one benefits from using a computer?
A computer provides 3 basic benefits:
Ø Speed: Computers work at very high speeds and are much faster than humans. The human equivalent of an average computer would be one million mathematicians working 24 hours a day
Ø Accuracy: Computers rarely make mistakes. In fact, most computer errors are caused by human faults.
Ø Diligence: Unlike humans, computers simply do not get bored or tired. The monotony of repetitive work does not affect computers.
A mainframe is another form of a computer system that is generally more powerful than a typical mini system. Mainframe may themselves very widely in cost and capability. They are used in large organizations for large-scale jobs.
Currently IBM mainframes are dominant in the market, with Hitachi, Amdahl and Fujitsu are also producing machines. Prices start at several hundred thousand dollars.
SUPERCOMPUTER
At the end of size and capability scale are supercomputers. These systems are the largest, fastest and most expensive computers in the world. They are used for Bio-medical research, weather forecasting, chemical analysis in laboratory, complex scientific, and defense applications.
Blue Gene/L System is now the world’s fastest supercomputers. It is a joint development of IBM and DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and installed at DOE’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore.
Benefits and Limitations Of Computers
The fact that computers have made their impact on almost all aspects of life in today’s world can hardly be questioned. The question that you may ask here is that how one benefits from using a computer?
A computer provides 3 basic benefits:
Ø Speed: Computers work at very high speeds and are much faster than humans. The human equivalent of an average computer would be one million mathematicians working 24 hours a day
Ø Accuracy: Computers rarely make mistakes. In fact, most computer errors are caused by human faults.
Ø Diligence: Unlike humans, computers simply do not get bored or tired. The monotony of repetitive work does not affect computers.
