Types of Computer Systems

In here I would like to describe some popular computer types using in the world. As there are different users with different needs, they need a computer system which is suitable for their purpose.

01. Super Computers

The most powerful computers in the world are Supercomputers. These computers are expensive, sophisticated and use the latest technology at its best. They may have thousands of microprocessors to provide the processing speed. They have been designed to perform a large amount of workloads or for the tasks which require a huge amount of computing power. E.g.:- using in Universities, researcher organizations etc. They are used in the simulation and modeling of complex systems. E.g. weather, chemical processes, economic predictions, the motion of galaxies.

02. Mainframe Computers

These are also large and powerful systems. They can run multiple operating systems. Mainframes can add or hot swap system capacity without disruption. Mainframes are designed to handle very high volume input and output (I/O) and emphasize throughput computing. A single mainframe can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller servers.

End users need to use a device called terminal to access the resources of the mainframe computer. There are two types of terminals Dumb terminals and Intelligent terminals. Dumb terminals do not do any processing, it is used to connect and get tasks done by using the resources (processor, memory, storage) of the mainframe computer and Intelligent terminal has a limited processing power but doesn’t have the capability of storing data. You can also use a normal personal computer to connect to the mainframe. Large mainframes can handle user up to 1000 at a time. E.g.:-Airline company can use a mainframe for flight reservation systems. Most of the mainframe computers build to handle specific tasks so it can say that mainframes are less flexible.

03. Minicomputers

These computers are powerful than personal computers but less powerful than mainframe computers. They are much smaller than the mainframes. These computers can handle hundreds of users at a time. You can connect to a minicomputer either by using a terminal or a personal computer. They may have one or more processors. They support multitasking and multiprocessing and also they can handle higher workloads. Minicomputers are generally used as mid-range servers, where they can operate mid-sized software applications.

04. Network Servers

Organizations today use personal computers connected through a computer network (A computer network is a set of computers connected together so that they can share data and resources, access (communicate/talk) to the other computers in the network etc). When personal computers are connected to a computer network there should be a computer (which may also be a personal computer) to manage and supervise the computer network.

Such a computer is known as Network Server. Servers have more processing power, memory, and storage. Because personal computers are general purpose computers when an organization has a computer network with personal computers it is very flexible. Depending on how the network server is set up many users can connect to the network server to get various tasks done. Mostly in an office, the employees will have a personal computer or a laptop on their desk and they will use this personal computer to connect to the network.

The uses of servers include:

For the purpose of using email (i.e. as an email server)

To connect to the Internet (i.e. as the proxy server)

To share files (i.e. as the file server)

To connect to a printer (i.e. as the printer server)

To connect to a database (i.e. as the database server)

05. Personal Computers and Microcomputers

Computers which are designed to be used by a single person are known as Personal Computers (PCs). PCs can describe as general purpose machines. They are small in size. Nowadays most businesses use these personal computers to do day to day activities. Also, you can find these PCs at home which is used by individual users. Sometimes these personal computers are shared among students in institutions, universities etc. you need to remember that only a single user can use this type of computer at a time. Sometimes personal computers are known as microcomputers as they are small in size. Below are some types of Personal computers;

Desktop computers

Workstations

Notebook computers

Tablet PCs

Hand-held personal computers

Smartphones

5.1 Desktop computers

The computers meant to be placed on desk or table are known as Desktop computers. They don’t carry around. They are very popular among organizations. Normally a desktop computer is meant to be used by a single user but is mostly shared in real use, for example in a university or in a school, a desktop computer is shared by students, but only one user at a time. There are two designs of desktop computers. One is a horizontally aligned flatbed type system and the other a vertically oriented tower type system. Desktop computers consist of a system unit which contains important parts of a computer system such as the microprocessor, hard disk, memory, floppy disk driver etc.

5.2 Workstations

Workstations are a personal computer type which is powerful than desktop computers. It is a specialized computer mostly used by a single user. Workstations are most popular among scientists, video production crowd, animators, engineering designers etc, due to its powerful capabilities and ability to perform complex tasks much faster.

5.3 Notebook Computers

As the name implies notebook computers takes the shape of a thin book. Notebook computers are very portable and sometimes are known as mobile computers because they can be carried with you (as opposed to desktop computers). These computers have less weight. To use it you can open up the cover (the upper part) of the notebook computer and then you get a thin display screen. The computer can be folded when not in use to make it more portable. Notebook computers are very popular among professional since they can carry it for meetings and workshops. These computers when in use could be kept on the lap and hence are also known as laptop computers. These notebook computers operate on the AC power and also can be used with a battery which comes with the computer.

5.4 Tablet PCs

Tablet PCs are fully equipped mobile computers which have all the features of a notebook computer plus more. It is more lightweight than notebook computers and is very popular among people who travel and need to take notes while the computer is on hand (like architects). Tablet PCs have a special pen which they can use for this purpose. This special pen is known as the stylus or digital pen and the screen is touch-sensitive. You can use this pen to take notes on your computer and also to select and click certain icons. Some Tablet PCs have a microphone built in to take voice input and also can be connected to a network. Tablet PCs run special versions of certain software programs.

5.5 Hand-Held Personal Computers

As the name implies it fits into your hand. They look like a very small notebook and are in the same size as of a small notebook. Hand-held personal computers are used mainly for purposes such as taking notes, to have your phone book contacts and address book contacts, to have your appointment organizer, to access a day calendar. Hand-held personal computers also have a special pen. You can write on the screen using this pen. For example, when you want to take notes you can use this special pen. Sometimes you also get a tiny keyboard as well. Hand-held personal computers can also connect to a network and the Internet. Latest Hand-held personal computers have facilities of mobile phones and music players. One popular type of a Hand-help personal computer is the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). PDAs have all the features described above for a Hand-held personal computer.

5.6 Smartphones

Smartphones are special featured mobile phones. Smartphones are much bigger when compared to a normal phone. Some smartphones even have a tiny keyboard. Smartphones have some special features such as Internet and email facility, calendar facility, personal organizer facility etc. Also, some smartphones have built-in digital cameras and music players. They use different kinds of Operating systems such as Android, iOS, Windows etc.