Types of Computer

In this tutorial, we will discuss different types of computer

Computer can be categorized into three ways: –

On the basis of work/Data handling
On the basis purpose
On the basis of size/functionalities

On the basis of Work

On the basis of work, Computer is of three types: –

Analogue computer
Digital Computer
Hybrid Computer

i. Analogue Computer

Analogue computer is used to process continuous/analogue data. Continuous data are those data that changes continuously and cannot have discrete value. Analogue computers work on continuous signal not on discrete binary values. Analogue computer cannot store data.

Analogue computer is used where we don’t need discrete values. When we need continuous values like temperature, pressure, speed etc. then analogue computer is used.

Example of analogue computer is: –

Speedometer, Thermometer, slide rule, Voltmeter etc.

ii. Digital Computer

Digital computers are used to process discrete values. It performs calculations and logical operations. It takes data from the user in the form of binary (0 and 1), process it and convert into information. It works on binary number (0 and 1). It is normally used to perform calculation at high speed and to store huge amount of data. It can store huge amount of data permanently using digital storage such as hard drive or solid state drive.

Nowadays, we use laptop, desktop, mobile phone etc. All of these are digital computer.

iii. Hybrid computer

Hybrid computer is the mixture of analogue and digital computer. It can process both analogue and discrete data. It is faster like analogue computer and has a memory to store data like a digital computer. They are normally used in petrol pumps, airplanes, hospital, and scientific applications.

Example of hybrid computer is: –

Echocardiogram machine, Radar systems, Scientific laboratory

On the basis of purpose

On the basis of purpose, computer is of two types: –

General Purpose Computer
Specific purpose computer

i. General purpose computer

General purpose computer is a computer that is designed to perform more than one task. It can handle different types of data, and can perform different operations.

Example of general purpose computers are: –

Desktop, Notebooks, Smart phones, tablets etc.

ii. Specific Purpose computer

Specific purpose computers are designed to perform only one task. It is a special computer that can perform only one task.

Examples of specific computers are: –

ATM (Automatic teller machine), Routers, Servers, Mainframe computers etc.

On the basis of size

On the basis of size, computer is of three types: –

Micro computer
Mini Computer
Mainframe Computer
Super Computer

i. Micro computer

Micro computers are general purpose computer that is designed for an individual use. At a time, only one user can run the micro computer. It has only one CPU called microprocessor. It is very easy to use. Anyone can use it without learning. It is generally used in personal computing, small business task, education etc.

Example of micro computers are: –

Laptop, Desktop, Mobiles, Tablets etc.

ii. Mini computer

Mini computers are general purpose computers. It is a midsize computer. It has two or more processors/CPU. It can be used by 4 to 200 users simultaneously. It is larger than micro computer but smaller than mainframe computer.

It is normally used in business transaction processing, Database management, Gaming, Manufacturing etc.

Examples of mini computers are: –

Honeywell 200, IBM System/3, TI-990, Raspberry Pi, IBM’s AS/400e etc.

iii. Mainframe computer

Mainframe computers are large and very powerful computer. It is designed to handle complex and critical tasks. It can be used thousands of users simultaneously. It is normally used by big organizations for perform critical tasks.

While it is very powerful and large computer, but it is less powerful and smaller than supercomputer.

Examples of mainframe computers are: –

System z9, System z10 servers, Linux on IBM etc.

iv. Super computer

Today, Super computer is the biggest and fastest computer in the world. It has thousands of processors therefore it can process trillions of data simultaneously. It can process huge amount of data in a second. It is normally used in scientific and engineering application such as weather forecasting, space research, artificial intelligence, Big data computing etc. It is very powerful and large computer as compare to all other computer.