INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Major Types of Computer Systems
OBJECTIVES
• Explain the concept of
Information Technology
•Distinguish among the major
types of computer systems in
terms of processing speed,
storage and portability:
• Super Computers
• Mainframes
• Desktop Systems
• Mobile Devices
• Embedded Devices
CONCEPT OF
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Information Technology is made up of the technologies that are
used to capture input data, it processes that data into useful
information, displays the output information and stores it for future
use.
•Information Technology (IT) can be described as ‘the use of
computers, storage, communication and other physical devices to
create, process and exchange all forms of electronic data.
•IT merges the fields of Computer Science, Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) and Office Automation.
MAJOR TYPES OF
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
MAJOR TYPES OF COMPUTER
SYSTEMS
• A computer system is a complete
computer installation including
hardware, software, users, procedures
and data.
•In its simplest form a computer is an
electronic device capable of executing
a set of instructions or a ‘program’.
•Computer systems may be classified
into five major types:
Supercomputers, Mainframes,
Desktop Systems, Mobile Devices
and Embedded Devices
SUPER COMPUTERS
• Supercomputers are designed
to carry out single, extremely
complex computing tasks such
as:
• climate research, cryptanalysis (code
breaking)
• physical simulations,
• oil and gas exploration
• weather forecasting
SUPER COMPUTERS
• Supercomputers are extremely expensive systems that require
secure and climate-controlled purpose-built buildings.
•As a consequence, supercomputers are usually found only in
research environments and in very large specialist organizations.
MAINFRAMES
• A mainframe is a large-scale, powerful computer with a large
storage capacity and a fast Central Processing Unit (CPU).
• The CPU is the “brains” of the computer, where the program
instructions (calculations) are processed or carried out. It is also
called the processor or microprocessor.
• Mainframe computers are usually computer systems used by large
enterprises. They are known for their reliability and rarely require
downtime for upgrades or repairs.
MAINFRAMES
• Mainframes are used primarily
for transaction processing, for
example:
• Processing transactions related to
logistics (parcel pickup and delivery,
tracking, billing and maintaining
customer records)
• National and International payments
and transactions (credit card
transaction processing)
DESKTOP SYSTEMS
• A desktop system (or ‘desktop computer’) is a computer system
small enough to fit on a desk, but also powerful enough for
common business tasks and inexpensive enough for home
ownership.
•A desktop computer system is an example of a general-purpose
computer system, which is one that is suitable for undertaking a
wide range of common computing tasks.
DESKTOP SYSTEMS
• Desktop systems are usually
installed in homes, offices, computer
labs in schools and Internet cafes.
•These systems are commonly used in
small and medium-sized
organizations.
•They are typically offered for sale at
a range of prices reflecting the
processing speed, memory and
storage capacity installed on them.
MOBILE DEVICES
• Mobile devices are computing devices that are small enough to
hold and operate in one’s hand and are easily portable.
•Although these devices are small in size, they include powerful
processors and a lot of memory and storage capacity. The higher-
specification smartphones are as powerful as lower-specification
desktops.
MOBILE DEVICES
Categories of mobile devices
include:
• Laptops and notebooks
• Ultra-portables, such as notebooks
and Chromebooks
• Tablets and eReaders, such as iPad
and Amazon kindle
• Smartphones and phablets (phone
tablets)
• Game consoles, such as Nintendo
Switch
EMBEDDED DEVICES
• An embedded device is a special-purpose computer that carries
out a specific (and dedicated) function within a larger electrical or
mechanical system or a combination of both.
• A special-purpose computer is a computer system which performs
a small range of tasks and contains features uniquely designed for
use in a particular industry or application.
EMBEDDED DEVICES
• Embedded systems include all
the elements of a computer
system (a processor, memory
and storage), but on a very
small and simple level.
•Common embedded systems
include:
• Electronic Calculator
• Handheld Games Controller
• Home Assistants
• Touchscreen Controller
• GPS satellite navigation systems
