Classification of Computers

Computers can be classified many different ways -- by size, by function, or by processing capacity.

Microcomputers are connected to networks of other computers.
The price of a microcomputer varies from each other depending on the capacity and features of the computer.
Microcomputers make up the vast majority of computers.
Single user can interact with this computer at a time.
It is a small and general purpose computer.
Microcomputers are at the lowest end of the computer range.
The term “microcomputer” was introduced with the advent of single chip microprocessors.
‘Personal Computer (PC)’ was first known as microcomputer.
A personal computer may be a desktop computer, a laptop, tablet PC or a handheld PC (also called palmtop).

Mini Computer is a small and general purpose computer.
It is more expensive than a micro computer.
It has more storage capacity and speed.
It designed to simultaneously handle the needs of multiple users.
the middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the mainframe and micro computers.
It is less powerful than a mainframe and more powerful than the micro computers.
They have larger RAM and backing storage capacity and can process data more quickly.
The first popular minicomputer was the pdp-8, launched in 1965.

Large computers are called Mainframes.
Mainframe computers process data at very high rates of speed, measured in the millions of instructions per second.
They are very expensive than micro computer and mini computer.
It requires a special environment – cold and dry.
Mainframes are designed for multiple users and process vast amounts of data quickly.
A mainframe is the heart of a network of computers or terminals which allows hundreds of people to work at the same time on the same data.
Mainframes are very large computers with a very high capacity of main store. Because they can process large amounts of data very quickly, they are used by big companies, banks, government departments as their main computer.
Examples :- Banks, insurance companies, manufacturers, mail-order companies, and airlines are typical users

The largest computers are Super Computers.
They are the most powerful, the most expensive, and the fastest.
Complex scientific applications like weather forecasting require a large amount of data to be manipulated within a very short time.
Other uses of supercomputers scientific simulations, animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design and analysis of geological data.
Large super computers with faster processing using multiple processors and superior technology are used for complex tasks requiring a lot of computational power
Perhaps the best known supercomputer manufacturer is Cray Research. Examples of super computers are CRAY XMP-24 and NEC-500.
They are capable of processing trillions of instructions per second. It use governmental agencies, such as:-

Differentiate The Dial Up And Direct Intermet Connections.