Types of Computer

1. Types of Computer Super Computers • Fastest and most expensive computers. • While they work, much heat is generated. So they are kept in air-conditioned rooms. • Vital to keep atmosphere free of dust particles. • Usually need their own back up electricity generator to ensure that they can continue to work even when there is a power failure. • They are mainly used by large universities who do a lot of research projects such as scientific research, weather modelling etc and by large organisations such as pharmaceutical companies for drug research or by the military for weapons research.

2. Types of Computer Mainframe Computers • Large, powerful computers that can carry out many different tasks for many different people at the same time. • Slower than a supercomputer but they are far less expensive. • Usually connected to a large number of peripherals e.g. printers, terminals, disk drives etc. • Need to be operated by specialist, trained staff. • Usually kept in an air-conditioned rooms away from the office or factory floor. • Used by utility companies,banks,insurance companies,airlines etc

3. Types of Computer Personal Computers • We tend to call them 'desktop personal computers' or just 'PC‘. • The desktop PC has a central processing unit housed in a metal or plastic case (often called a tower unit). • A keyboard and mouse are usually used to input data and a monitor to output the data. • Useful for lots of different types of tasks such as running office applications, editing videos, playing music etc.

4. Types of Computer Palmtops/ PDA • PDAs usually have ability to synchronize with desktop PC. • They can now access internet and send e-mails. • They double up as phones. • Palmtops are similar except they have built-in keyboards.

5. Types of Computer Embedded Computers • An embedded computer is a single chip that contains all of the elements that are essential for any computer i.e. RAM, ROM, clock, CPU. • Another term often used for an embedded computer is a 'micro controller'. • All of the following contain an embedded computer: telephones, televisions, cameras, washing machine, dishwashers, cars etc.

6. Types of Computer Laptops Reasons for increased use of laptops: • Changes in working and living patterns. • Growth of wireless networking. • Improvements in battery life. • Decrease in size and weight.

7. Types of Computer Question1 Put the following in the order of the most processing power starting with the fastest and going down to the slowest. • Mainframe • PDA • Desktop PC • Super Computer Question2 Supercomputers are used for calculating utility bills such as gas and electricity. True/False Question3 PDAs are just like an electronic diary, they cannot do much. True/False