2. Classification of Computers.pdf
- 2. Historically computers were classified according to processor types because development in processor and processing speeds were the developmental benchmarks. Earliest computers used vacuum tubes for processing, were huge and broke down frequently. However, as vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors and then chips, their size decreased and processing speeds increased manifold.
- 3. All modern computers and computing devices use microprocessors whose speeds and storage capacities are skyrocketing day by day. The developmental benchmark for computers is now their size. Computers are now classified on the basis of their use or size: Desktop Laptop Tablet Server Mainframe Supercomputer
- 4. DESKTOP LAPTOP TABLET Personal computers (PCs) designed for use by an individual at a fixed location. IBM was the first computer to introduce and popularize use of desktops.
- 5. DESKTOP LAPTOP TABLET A desktop unit typically has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), monitor, keyboard and mouse. Introduction of desktops popularized use of computers among common people as it was compact and affordable. Riding on the wave of desktop’s popularity many software and hardware devices were developed specially for the home or office user. The foremost design consideration here was user friendliness.
- 6. LAPTOP TABLET SERVER DESKTOP Notebook Computers or Simply Notebooks • Despite the huge popularity of desktops, it gave way to a more compact and portable personal computer called laptop in 2000s.
- 7. LAPTOP TABLET SERVER DESKTOP • Uses batteries and connect to networks using Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) chips. It has chips for energy efficiency for power conservation whenever possible and have a longer life. • Modern laptops have enough processing power and storage capacity to be used for all office work, website designing, software development and even audio/video editing.
- 8. TABLET SERVER MAINFRAME LAPTOP DESKTOP a desktop but are small enough to be held in one’s palm. Tablets have touch sensitive screen of typically 5 to 10 inches where one finger is used to touch icons and invoke applications.
- 9. TABLET SERVER MAINFRAME LAPTOP DESKTOP Keyboard is also displayed virtually whenever required and used with touch strokes. Applications that run on tablets are called apps. They use operating systems by Microsoft (Windows 8 and later versions) or Google (Android). Apple computers have developed their own tablet called iPad which uses a proprietary OS called iOS.
- 10. SERVER MAINFRAME SUPER COMPUTER TABLET LAPTOP high processing speeds computers that provide one or more services to other systems on the network. They may or may not have screens attached to them. A group of computers or digital devices connected together to share resources is called a network.
- 11. SERVER MAINFRAME SUPER COMPUTER TABLET LAPTOP Servers have high processing powers and can handle multiple requests simultaneously. Most commonly found servers on networks include: File or storage server Game server Application server Database server Mail server Print server
- 12. MAINFRAME SUPER COMPUTER SERVER TABLET Computers used by organizations like banks, airlines and railways to handle millions and trillions of online transactions per second.
- 13. MAINFRAME SUPER COMPUTER SERVER TABLET Important features of mainframes are: • Big in size • Hundreds times faster than servers, typically hundred megabytes per second • Very expensive • Use proprietary OS provided by the manufacturers • In-built hardware, software and firmware security features
- 14. MAINFRAME SERVER SUPER COMPUTER Fastest computers on Earth. They are used for carrying out complex, fast and time intensive calculations for scientific and engineering applications. Supercomputer speed or performance is measured in teraflops, i.e. 1012 floating point operations per second.
- 15. MAINFRAME SERVER SUPER COMPUTER Fastest computers on Earth. They are used for carrying out complex, fast and time intensive calculations for scientific and engineering applications. Supercomputer speed or performance is measured in teraflops, i.e. 1012 floating point operations per second.
- 16. MAINFRAME SERVER SUPER COMPUTER Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight is the world’s fastest supercomputer with a rating of 93 petaflops per second, i.e. 93 quadrillion floating point operations per second. Most common uses of supercomputers include: Molecular mapping and research Weather forecasting Environmental research Oil and gas exploration