Part 2 - What Are Categories Of Computer?
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Mainframe Computers
A mainframe computer is a large computer in terms of price, power, and speed. It is more powerful than minicomputer. It consists of multiple processors. It is specially designed to perform multiple intensive tasks for multiple users simultaneously. It is designed for high reliability. It can be serviced and upgraded while it is running It is also known as an enterprise server.
Mainframe computers can serve up to 50,000 users simultaneously. These computers can store large amounts of data, information, and instructions. The users access a mainframe computer through a terminal or personal computer.
A typical mainframe computer can execute 16 million instructions per second. Qualified operators and programmers are required to use these computers. Mainframe computers can accept all types of high-level languages. Different types of peripheral devices can be attached to mainframe computers.
Examples of mainframe computers are
- IBM4381
- NEC 610
- DEC 10 etc.
Uses of Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers are used in large organizations such as banks, educational institutions, financial institutions, and atomic research centers. For example, airlines use these computers to maintain flight schedules, ticket reservation system, etc. Govt agencies such as NADRA use mainframe computers to maintain information about the population. Many shopping chains interconnect their stores with mainframe computers to track transactions immediately and maintain stock.
Super Computers
Supercomputer is a state-of-the-art machine. It is the biggest in size and the most expensive in price than any other computer. It is the most sophisticated, complex, and advanced computer. It has a very large storage capacity. It can process trillions of instructions in one second. The modem supercomputer consists of thousands of microprocessors. The supercomputer uses high-speed facilities like a satellite for online processing.
Examples of supercomputers are as follows:
-
- CRAY-X?
- ETA—10
- Deep Blue
- Asci White
Uses Of Super Computers
The supercomputer is mostly used for weather predictions, weapon design, preparing models of a chemical and biological system, mapping the surface of planets, and studying the neural network of the brain.
The supercomputer is also used in the business and industry field. For example, aircraft manufacturers use it to simulate aircraft and check their performance.
Governments use supercomputers for different calculations and heavy jobs. Many Hollywood movies use it for animation purposes.
The difference among Micro, Mini And Mainframe Computers
The difference Between desktop and portable computer are as follows:
| Microcomputer | Minicomputer | Mainframe computer |
| It was introduced in 1970. | It was introduced in 1960. | It was introduced in 1975. |
| It generally consists of one processor. | It generally consists of two or more processors. | It generally consists of multiple processors. |
| Its storage capacity is in GB. | Its storage capacity is in TB. | Its capacity is in TB. |
| Its memory is in MB. | Its memory is in GB. | Its memory is in GB. |
| It can normally be used by 1 user at a lime. | It can serve two to thousands of connected users at a time. | It can serve hundreds to thousands of connected users at a time. |
| Its size is very small. | Its size is bigger than the microcomputer. | Its size is bigger than the micro and minicomputers. |
| Its price is $500 to $5000. | Its price is $18000 to $500000. | Its price is $500000 to $5 million. |
| It is used at home, offices and educational institutes | It is used by business | It is used by institutes and departments |
| Examples are IBM~PC 3: Apple Macintosh | Examples are VAX-8800 and | Examples are IBM-370 and Apple Macintosh MV-1500 |
