TYPES OF COMPUTER
TREE STRUCTURE
Computers
Analog Digital Hybrid
Super Mainframe Mini Micro
Computers Computers Computers Computers
KINDS OF COMPUTERS
There are three basic kinds of computers. This is based on the hardware
structure and the way physical quantities are represented in a computer. The
following are the three types.
Analog Computers
Analog computers are the first computers being developed and provided the
basis for the development of the modern digital computers. Analog
computers are used to process analog data. Analog data is of continuous
nature and which is not discrete or separate. Such type of data includes
temperature, pressure, speed weight, voltage, depth etc. These quantities
are continuous and having an infinite variety of values.
1.Thermometer 2.Speedometer
3.Petrol Pump
4. Multimeter
Indicator
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Digital Computers
A Digital Computer, as its name implies, works with digits to represent
numerals, letters or other special symbols. Digital Computers operate on
inputs which are ON-OFF type and its output is also in the form of ON-OFF
signal. Normally, an ON is represented by a 1 and an OFF is represented by a
0. So we can say that digital computers process information which is based
on the presence or the absence of an electrical charge or we prefer to say a
binary 1 or 0.
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Hybrid Computers
A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers. It
combines the best features of both types of computers, i-e. It
has the speed of analog computer and the memory and
accuracy of digital computer. Hybrid computers are used mainly
in specialized applications where both kinds of data need to be
processed.
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ON THE BASIS OF SIZE
SUPER COMPUTER
The fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a
supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid
dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a
supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as
possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs
concurrently.
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MAINFRAME COMPUTER
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands,
of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in
watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top,
mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But
supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe.
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MINI COMPUTER
A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between
workstations and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between
large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the
distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a
minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to
about 200 users simultaneously.
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MICRO COMPUTER
Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.
ii. Laptop Co mputer: a portable com p uter compl ete with an integrated screen keyboard. T
and keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop computer
and larger than a notebook computer.
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iii. Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer.
Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device
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WORKSTATIONS
A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context,
workstation is just a generic term for a user's machine (client
machine) in contrast to a "server" or "mainframe."
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a) IBM/IBM Compatible Computers
c) Apple/ Macintosh
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The Computer
A computer is made up of many parts:
1.Input / Output (I/O) devices – These allow you to send information to the
computer or get information from the computer.
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2.Central Processing Unit – CPU or Processor for short. The brain of a computer.
Approximately 1.5 in X 1.5 in. Does all the computation/work for the computer.
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3. Memory – Although memory is technically any form of electronic storage, it
is used most often to identify fast, temporary forms of storage. Accessing the
hard drive for information takes time. When the information is kept in memory,
the CPU can access it much more quickly.
a. Random Access Memory – RAM. Where information is stored temporarily
when a program is run. Information is automatically pulled into memory, we
cannot control this. RAM is cleared automatically when the computer is
shutdown or rebooted. RAM is volatile (non-permanent).
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b. Read Only Memory – ROM. More permanent than RAM. Data stored in these
chips is nonvolatile -- it is not lost when power is removed. Data stored in these
chips is either unchangeable or requires a special operation to change. The BIOS
is stored in the CMOS, read only memory.
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c. Hard Drive – Where you store information permanently most frequently. This is
also nonvolatile.
4. Motherboard – A circuit board that allows the CPU to interact with other
parts of the computer.
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a. Ports – Means of connecting peripheral devices to your computer.
Serial Port – Often used to connect a older mice, older external modems, older digital
cameras, etc to the computer. The serial port has been replaced by USB in most
cases. 9-pin connector. Small and short, often gray in color. Transmits data at 19
Kb/s.
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b. Monitor Ports – Used to connect a monitor to the computer.
PCs usually use a VGA (Video Graphics Array) analog connector (also known as a D-Sub
connector) that has 15 pins in three rows. Typically blue in color.
Because a VGA (analog) connector does not support the use of digital
monitors, the Digital Video Interface (DVI) standard was developed
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LCD monitors work in a digital mode and support the DVI format. At one
time, a digital signal offered better image quality compared to analog
technology. However, analog signal processing technology has improved
over the years and the difference in quality is now minimal.
c. Parallel Port – Most often used to connect a printer to the computer.
25- pin connector. Long and skinny, often pink in color. Transmits data
at 50-100 Kb/s.
d.USB Port – Universal Serial Bus. Now used to connect almost all peripheral devices
to the computer. USB 1.1 transmits data at 1.5 Mb/s at low speed, 12 Mb/s at full
speed. USB 2.0 transmits data at 480 Mb/s.
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e. Fire wire/ IEEE 1394 Port – Often found on Apple Computers. Often used with
digital camcorders. Fire wire transmits data at 400 Mb/s. Fire wire 1394B (the new fire
wire) transmits data at 3.2 Gb/s.
f. PS/2 Port - sometimes called a mouse port, was developed by IBM. It is used to
connect a computer mouse or keyboard. Most computers come with two PS/2 ports.
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g. Ethernet Port – This port is used for networking and fast internet connections. Data
moves through them at speeds of either 10 megabits or 100 megabits or 1 gigabit (1,000
megabits) depending on what speed the network card in the computer supports. Little
monitor lights on these devices flicker when in use.
6. Power Supply – Gives your computer power by converting alternating current
(AC) supplied by the wall connection to direct current (DC).
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7. Expansion Cards – Used to add/improve functionality to the computer.
a. Sound Card – Used to input and output sound under program control. Sound
cards provide better sound quality than the built in sound control provided with
most computers.
b. Graphics Card – Used to convert the logical representation of an
image to a signal that can be used as input for a monitor.
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c. Network Card – Used to provide a computer connection over a network.
Transmit data at 10/100/1000 Mb/s.
8. CD ROM – A device used to read CD-ROMs. If capable of writing to the CD-ROM,
then they are usually referred to as a ‘burner’ or CD-RW.
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9. DVD ROM – A device that is used to read DVDs/CDs. If capable of writing to the
DVD, then it is often referred to as a DVD-burner or a DVD-RW.
10. Floppy Drive – A device that is used to read/write to floppy diskettes.
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11. Fan – Keeps your computer cool. If the inside of your computer becomes too hot,
then the computer can overheat and damage parts.
12. Heat sink – Used to disperse the heat that is produced inside the computer by the
CPU and other parts by increasing surface area.
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13. The little parts – Capacitors – store energy, Resistors – allows a current
through, Transistors – a valve which allows currents to be turned on or off.
14. Case – (Tower if standing upright.) What your motherboard, CPU, etc is contained
in.
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