Classification of Computers

Classification of computers based on:

 Capacity
 Purpose
 Type of data handle
Classification of Computers based on capacity:

 Supercomputers
 Mainframe computers
 Midrange computers
 Microcomputers
Classification of Computers based on capacity:

 Supercomputers
 The largest, most powerful, and most expensive
 Used by universities, research institutions, and large
corporations
 Classification of Computers based on
capacity:
 Mainframe Computers
 Less powerful and less expensive than supercomputers
 Used by businesses with large amounts of data that need
to be stored in a central computer
Classification of Computers based on capacity:

 Midrange Computers

 Often used as the host computer in a network of

smaller computers

 Pricedin the several thousands to a few hundred

thousand dollars

 Manufacturers:DEC (VAX), IBM (AS/400), and

Hewlett-Packard
Classification of Computers based on capacity:

 Microcomputers

 Networksof microcomputers are replacing

mainframes

 Sometimes called workstations

 Used for CAD, CAE, complex simulations and

scientific applications
Classification of Computers based on capacity:

 Microcomputers (cont.)

 The microprocessor chip

 Traditionally manufactured by Intel

 AMC and Cyrix are other manufacturers

 Macintosh are built around Motorola’s PowerPC chips

 Sun develops its own microprocessors and computers

Microcomputers
Microcomputers
Classification of computers based on purpose:

General purpose Computers

 A ‘General Purpose Computer’ is a machine that is
capable of carrying out some general data processing
under program control.
Classification of computers based on purpose:

Special purpose Computers

 A computer that is designed to operate on a
restricted class of problems.
 Classification of computer based on type of data
handled:

 Analog computers
 Digital computers
 Hybrid computers

http://computer-concepts-tutorial.blogspot.com/2008/02/classification-by-type-of-data-handled.ht
 Classification of computer based on type of data
handled:

Analog computers
 The analog computer may express changing
relationships in output in the form of graphs. It is
able to create such pictures because it responds to
changes in electrical voltages that match changes in
variable quantities.
 Classification of computer based on type of data
handled:

Digital Computer
 Is a machine the specializes in counting. It operates
by counting values that are discrete, or separate and
distinct, unlike the continuous quantities that can be
measured by the analog computer.
 Digital Computers are used for both business data
processing and accuracy.
 Classification of computer based on type of data
handled:

Hybrid Computer
 Combines the measuring capabilities of the analog
computer and the logical and control capabilities of
the digital computer. It offers an efficient and
economical method of working out special types of
problems in science and various areas of
engineering.
 Some Hybrid machines contain special equipment to
convert analog voltages into digital voltages, and
vice-versa.
Organization of a Simple Computer
(Von Neumann Architecture)
Basic Computer Model
 Computer System

 Group of elements performing together to

process data
Parts of a Computer System:
 Hardware
 Software

 People

 Procedure
Example uses of
computers
 Businesses – Grocery Stores

Self-service Kiosk Point-of-Sale System

http://www.poshelpdesk.com/kiosk.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_sale
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/around-town/food-drink/Pa-to-Sell-Wine-in-High-Tech-Supermarket-Kiosks-80
 Businesses – Grocery Stores
Furutanisangyou Co. Ltd. is using a
non-real-time
High-TechAR technology in a
Japan:
"Magical Mirror" system
Refrigerated that allows
Shopping Mall Lockers
shoppers to see how outfits would look
on them without needing to try them
on

Augmented reality systems appearing in Japanese shopping malls

http://www.almostjapanese.com/high-tech-japan-refrigerated-shopping-mall-lockers
http://www.physorg.com/news179569499.html
 Businesses - Banks

Magnetic Ink Character Reader

Automated Teller Machine

Electronic Banking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_ink_character_recognition
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre14.shtm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_teller_machine
 Online Banking
Features:
 opening and closing accounts,
 viewing account balances,
 reconciling accounts,
 transferring funds, and
 paying bills

Smart cards
 Businesses - Factories

http://yasilindo.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/automation/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automation
 Business On-line

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_commerce
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_business
 Government

“eGovernment reduces the gap

between people and government”
Electronic Voting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Government
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=472024
http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/11/19/egovernment_reduces_the_gap_between_p
 Telecommuting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommuting
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20281475/
 Hospitals

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1147802/Handheld-computers-trialled-hospital-wards-s
http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec5791/index.htm
http://www.modernmedical.com.hk/download/EQ_OEM_Presentation_Nov04.ppt#2
 Patient simulator a system
consisting of a monitor
connected to a sensor-
laden mannequin whose
physiology changes
realistically according
to the treatment it
receives.

Voice recognition capabilities

allow patients to operate their
home appliances by remote
control. It looks sort of like an
owl.

http://pinktentacle.com/2006/07/face-to-face-with-high-tech-medical-devices/
Schools
Work and Play