DCIT21 – Introduction to Computing

Lecture 4 – Classification of Computers

Classifications of Computers
Computers may be classified into the following:

A. According to Purpose
1. General Purpose
 handle variety of tasks
 versatile
 less efficient / slower
 e.g. personal computer, PDA
2. Special Purpose
 Dedicated to a specific task
 More efficient because of specialized programs
 Faster processing
 Used only for a specific task
 e.g. Play Station
B. According to Types of Processing
1. Analog
 Machine that represent variables or quantities using physical analogies
 e.g. speedometer, clock, thermometer
2. Digital
 Machine that specialized in counting
 Use discrete numbers
 Result obtained is precise and repeatable
 e.g. digital clock, digital thermometer, calculator
3. Hybrid
 Machines that incorporate measuring capabilities of the analog devices and the
counting capability of digital devices.
 e.g. Ana-Digi watches (watches with both analog and digital functions)
C. According to Capacity
Capacity means the data processing speed amount of data they can hold. Big Computers
are computer with high processing speed and large internal storage.
1. Microcomputers/Personal Computer
 Microprocessor is used in this type of computer.
 Very small in size and cost.
o Divided into ff. categories:
o Laptop computers
o Workstations
o Network computer
o Handheld computer
 IBM-PC: first microcomputer designed in 1981. After these many computer
hardware companies copied this.
 Most popular is the PC and Apple
 Personal computers are available in two models:
o Desktop PCs – most popular; system unit lie flat on the desk or table.
Monitor is usually placed on the system unit.

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DCIT21 – Introduction to Computing
Lecture 4 – Classification of Computers

o Tower PCs – system unit of the tower PC is vertically placed on the desk
of table; mostly used at homes and offices.
 Handheld computers
o Personal Digital Assistance
o Cellphones
o H/PC Pro Devices
2. Mini – computer/Midrange computer
 Bigger in size, have higher processing speed and also have higher cost than
microcomputers.
 Called mini because of their small size as compared to other computers at that
time.
 Some are designed for a single user, but most are designed to handle multiple
terminals.
 Commonly used as servers in network environment and hundreds of personal
computers can be connected to the network with a minicomputer acting as
server like mainframes, minicomputers are used as web servers.
 These are used in:
o Business
o Education
o Government departments
3. Main Frame computer/Large computers
 Smaller that supercomputers.
 Expensive
 Specially requires a very large clean room with air-conditioner.
 It can handle the input and output requirements of several thousand of users.
 User often access then mainframe with terminals or personal computers
 Expensive to buy and operate.
 2 types of terminals used with mainframe systems:
o Dumb terminal – does not have its own CPU and storage devices
o Intelligent Terminal – has its own processor and can perform some
processing operations. It does not have its own storage
 Specially used as servers on the WWW.
 Used in large organizations such as:
o Banks
o Airlines
o Universities
 Users need frequent access to the same data which is usually organized into one
or more huge databases.
 IBM is the major manufacturer.
4. Supercomputer
 most powerful and fastest, and also very expensive
 Used to process large amount of data and to solve complicated scientific
problems.
 One trillion calculations per second.
 In a single supercomputer thousands of users can be connected at the same
time and the supercomputer handles the work of each user separately.
 Mainly used for:

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DCIT21 – Introduction to Computing
Lecture 4 – Classification of Computers

o Weather forecasting
o Nuclear energy search
o Aircraft design
o Automotive design
o Online banking
o Control industrial units
 Capabilities
o Can do repetitive routine
o Process voluminous data in flash
o Reliable and accurate
o Store and retrieve tremendous amount of information
o Self-checking capability
o Self – operating
o Remote processing
 Limitations
o Dependent on instructions and data
o Generate information on its own
o Vulnerable to a virus attack

References:
Shelly, Gary B., Cashman, Thomas J., Vermaat, Misty E., Discovering Computer Fundamentals.Third
Edition, Thomson Learning Asia Course Technology. 2017.

Information Technology. Retrieved June 1, 2017 from the world wide web at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Technology

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