what are different types of computers

1. Super computer


2. Mainframe computer


3. Workstation computer


4. Microprocessor


5. Microcontroller



What is a super computer?


A super computer is a high capacity computer with hundreds of thousands of processors that can perform over 1 trillion calculations per second.


Super computers are used for research purposes , designing air planes, oil explorations , whether forecasting, modeling molecules, breaking codes, simulating explosion of nuclear bombs, creating film animations.


Is the fastest calculating device ever invented.


Can cost up to $85 million.


Looks like rows of refrigerator size boxes.


A supercomputer named ASCI white (accelerated strategic computing initiative white) developed by IBM


Has 8192 processors


Can process 12.3 trillion


operations per second.


Uses 83 miles of wiring.


It weighs 106 tons.


It has 97,000 times the memory of a 64-megabyte micro computer.


It has 16,000 times the secondary storage capacity of a 10-gigabyte micro computer hard disk.


It takes up to 12,000 square feet of space .




What is mainframe computer?


Mainframes are used by large organizations that need to process millions of transactions like airline, insurance companies, universities, banks.


For processing of millions of transactions.


Mainframes process millions of instructions per second.


Can cost around $5000-$200,000 and vary in size from small , to medium, to large, depending up on their use.




What are workstation computers?


Workstations are expensive, powerful computer used for complex scientific, mathematical and engineering calculations and for computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing.


Workstations are used for designing air planes fuse- lages , prescription drugs, movie special effects.


Workstations are more popular for their graphics capabilities which are used to breathe three-dimensional life into movies such as Jurassic park 3 and pearl harbor.




What are micro computers?


Also called personal computers


Cost $500-$5000


Can fit to a desk or on a desktop, can be carried around.


They are standalone machines or are connected to a computer network, eg: lan


Types of microcomputers,


Desktop pc’s


Tower pc’s


Laptops or notebooks


PDA (personal digital assistants-palmtops




What are micro controllers?


Also known as embedded computers are tiny specialized microprocessors installed in smart appliances and automobiles.


These microcontrollers enable microwave, ovens Eg: to store data about how long to cook your potatoes and at what temperature.