What kind computer

Output device: A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished. In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another. Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:.

Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and, in general, a higher-quality monitor. Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously.

Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.

Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second. Supercomputer is a broad term for one of the fastest computers currently available. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations number crunching.

For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers scientific simulations, animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and analysis of geological data e.

Perhaps the best known supercomputer manufacturer is Cray Research. Mainframe was a term originally referring to the cabinet containing the central processor unit or "main frame" of a room-filling Stone Age batch machine.

After the emergence of smaller "minicomputer" designs in the early s, the traditional big iron machines were described as "mainframe computers" and eventually just as mainframes. Nowadays a Mainframe is a very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously.

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.

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. The distinction between small mainframes and minicomputers is vague, depending really on how the manufacturer wants to market its machines. It is a midsize computer. 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 up to users simultaneously. Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, at large amount of RAM, built-in network support, and a graphical user interface. The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Many other wearables target outdoors enthusiasts and fitness freaks, allowing them to track their location, altitude, calories burned, steps, speed, and much, much more.

The Apple iWatch , now in its fourth incarnation, is one of the best reviewed wearables to date. This small watch has many of the functionalities of a full-blown smartphone. It lets you perform normal texting and email duties. And it has a built-in cell phone, unlike some other smart watches that must be paired with a phone to make calls. It even has a built-in electrical heart sensor that you can use to take an electrocardiogram and share it instantly with your doctor [source: Apple ].

But watches are just the beginning. Sewn-in accessories for clothing are growing, as are smart eyeglasses, smart belts, sleep monitors, heart rate trackers and intelligent ear buds. A company called MC10 is even touting skin patches that will track various biological processes happening in your body [source: Pervasive Computing ].

Wearables are indeed a new horizon in personal computing. Their flexibility and mind-warping potential speak to the idea that the computer revolution isn't over. If anything, the PC era might just be getting underway.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Computer Hardware. Hardware Basics. There are many types of computers out there. Can you name 10? Computers have changed a lot since then. Simon P. A desktop computer is easily recognized by its large terminal box. Laptops have replaced desktops as the work-based computer of choice. This woman is using hers for a video conference.

A user draws the bones of the hand on Apple's 9. It's amazing all the computer functions a smartphone can perform, including taking a photo. Engineers often use workstation computers, though their popularity is declining as 'ordinary' computers get more powerful. This supercomputer crunches data for climate and Earth system modeling. Smart watches and other wearables are the next iteration of computers.

This one tells the wearer's pulse. The 10 types of computers include personal computers, desktops, laptops, tablets, hand-held computers, servers, workstations, mainframes, wearable computers and supercomputers. What is a computer? A computer is any device that has a microprocessor that processes information.

It has hardware, software and a screen for display. What are the most common types of computers and their functions? Laptops, hand-held devices, wearable tech, and desktops are the most common computer types today. Desktops are the oldest computers and are used to run a large variety of programs and access the Internet. Laptops are portable versions of desktops that are smaller so they can be carried around with ease.

Handheld computers smartphones and wearable devices offer multiple features such as Bluetooth connectivity, games, audio systems, activity tracking and cameras. Sources Alba, Davey. Some examples of digital computers include laptops, desktops, and other electronic devices like smartphones.

There are many advantages of digital computers. Some of those advantages are mentioned below. Digital computers allow users to store a large amount of information. The stored information can be retrieved whenever it is required.

New features can easily be added to the digital systems. Ability to change the program without making any changes in the hardware of the system. The cost of the hardware of digital computers is often less because of the advancement in the Integrated Circuit IC technology.

These systems process data digitally at a very high speed. Digital computers use error correction codes because of which these systems are very reliable.

The output is not affected by humidity, noise, temperature, or other natural properties, leading to the results' high reproducibility. Hybrid computers are devices that have features of both digital and analog computers. These devices are similar in speed to analog computers and are identical to digital computers in their memory and accuracy.

Hybrid computers can process both discrete and continuous data. These devices work by accepting analog signals and converting those signals into a digital form before processing. This is why these devices are popularly used in specialized applications where both analog and digital data has to be processed. For example, the processors used in petrol pumps convert fuel flow into values for both quantity and price.

Similar devices are used in hospitals, airplanes, and many scientific applications. There are many benefits of using hybrid computers. A few of those benefits are mentioned below.

The computing speed of hybrid computers is very high. This is due to the all-parallel configuration of the analog subsystem. These computers help in online data processing. Hybrid computers can manage and solve large equations in real-time. The results are produced quickly and in a more efficient manner. The final results are both accurate and useful. A Personal computer or PC can be described as a small and somewhat inexpensive computer that has been specifically designed for individual use.

These devices are based on microprocessor technology, enabling manufacturers to put an entire CPU on a single chip. These days many organizations use personal computers for completing tasks related to desktop publishing, accounting, word processing, database management, and running spreadsheets.

People also use personal computers at home for surfing the internet and playing games. It is important to note that even though personal computers were developed to work as a single-user system, they are still linked together to form a network. If we talk about power, then Macintosh and PC's high-end models offer about the same computing power and graphic capabilities as low-end workstations by Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and Sun Microsystems.

Workstations can also be used for software development, desktop publishing, and developing other types of applications. All of these tasks require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high-quality graphics capabilities. In most cases, workstations come equipped with large amounts of RAM, inbuilt network support, a graphic user interface, and a high-resolution graphics screen.

Many workstations also have mass storage devices like disk drives. However, it should be noted here that diskless workstations are a type of workstation that comes without any disk drive. Just like personal computers, workstations are also designed for individual use. These systems are also linked together to form a local-area network. These systems can be used for standalone purposes. Workstations are equipped with faster microprocessors and more powerful CPUs than personal computers.

These devices can handle data analysis, CAD, animation, video editing, and video creation. Also, do you know that five integral features are standard for all workstations? Multiple Processor Cores.

Workstations have more processor cores than simple computers and laptops. Workstations have an error-correcting code memory. All settings were default except: Wi-Fi was associated with a network and Auto-Brightness disabled. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors. Testing consisted of full battery discharge during local video playback.

WiFi and Bluetooth in airplane mode and Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in airplane mode and Auto-Brightness disabled.

Contact your service provider for details, compatibility, pricing, SIM card, and activation. See all specs and frequencies at surface. Availability of data plans for eSIM varies by market and by carrier. Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of 1 a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, 2 a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and 3 a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications.

Tested with Windows Version All settings were default except screen brightness was set to nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September using preproduction software and preproduction Testing conducted by Microsoft in February using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Go 2. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage.

Testing conducted by Microsoft in April using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Book 3 Testing conducted by Microsoft in February using preproduction software and preproduction Surface Laptop 4 See aka.

Usage 4. Screen Size 5.