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BCA/MCA/BTech Semester 1 - TYPES OF COMPUTER

TYPES OF COMPUTER

BCA/MCA/BTech Semester 1 - TYPES OF COMPUTER

The computers can be divided into three broad groups - Digital, Analog and Hybrid.
A short summary on these groups is given below:

Digital Computer : Digital computer is a computer that represents information (numbers, characters and other data) using discrete internal states i.e., binary digits (0’s and 1’s). Accuracy of a digital computer is only limited to the size of its registers and memory.

Analog Computer: Analog computer is a computer that represents information by variable and continuous quantities such as electric current, voltage, positions. Accuracy of analog computer is very less, only one present approximately as compared to digital computer.

Hybrid Computer: Hybrid computer uses both digital and analog components. Such computer uses digital memory for storage of intermediate and final results, and final results, and analog devices such as integrator, multiplier and summer for computational purposes. Accuracy of hybrid computer is in between analog and digital computers.



TYPES OF DIGITAL COMPUTERS

The digital computers can be classified according to their computing capabilities, physical size, application areas etc. The various types for digital computers are discussed below:

Micro Computer: A microcomputer is a computer that is built around a microprocessor (complete CPU on a single micro chip). A Personal Computer is a type of Micro computer. These can be further classified as:

① Palmtop Computer:  also known as palm-PC or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), is a small general purpose, programmable battery powered computer which can be operated comfortably while held in one hand. Such computer uses WINDOWS-CE (stripped down version of Microsoft WINDOWS). These are somewhat obsolete now and have been replaced by tablets and smartphones.

② Laptop Computer: also known as note book computer, is a portable computer that is small enough to use in your lap. Examples: Thinkpad 570 of IBM, Compacs Armada-E700 M700, M300 series, H.P.’s Omnibook, Apple’s ibook.

③ Desktop Computer: a personal computer (PC) small enough to fit conveniently in an individual work space. Examples: Pentium III, Power PCs.

Work Station: a digital computer that is conventionally considered to be more powerful than a desktop computer. Examples: SUN’S Sparc, H.P’s, PA-8500, DEC’s Alpha 21264, MIPS 2000.

BCA/MCA/BTech Semester 1 - TYPES OF COMPUTER
Mainframe
Mini Computer : Mini computer is a deviation from single user concept of microcomputer in the sense that it can support several users working simultaneously on the same machine. It is mainly used as a departmental computer i.e., belonging to a group of people, and in all business organizations. Examples: PDP-8, PDP-II, VAX 7500, HLL HORIZO-III, HCL MAGNUM.

Mainframe Computer: It is a large digital computer that serves 100 to 400 users and occupy a special air-conditioned room. Mainframe is suitable for large business organizations, banks, industries etc. Example: IBM 4381, CD 6600, ICL 39, CYBER 170
BCA/MCA/BTech Semester 1 - TYPES OF COMPUTER
Supercomputer Olympus
Super Computer: Most powerful of all above computers, super-computers are at the top in the terms of power, expense. They are applicable to areas that make massive amount of calculations, for example: Weather forecasting, economic forecasting, engineering design and testing serious decryption. Examples: Cray-I (World’s first super computer in 1976), Cray-2, Cray X-MP, Cray Y-MP, Cray Y-MP/C, Fujitsu VP 2600/10 , Hitachi 820/80. PARAM and ANURAG are super computers produced by Indian agencies like C-DAC.