Describe in brief several types of computers.

Describe in brief several types of computers.

 
I. Desktop - most common type of personal computer that is designed to sit on or under a desk or table commonly used in schools, offices and home.
II. Workstation – a specialized, single-user computer that typically has more power and features than a standard desktop PC popular among scientists, engineers and animators who need a system with greater than average speed and the power to perform sophisticated tasks.
III. Laptops – Notebook computers as their name implies, approximate the shape of an 8.5 by 11 inch notebook and easily fit inside a briefcase. Several notebook systems are designed to be plugged into a docking station, which may include a large monitor, a full size keyboard and mouse or other devices.
IV. Tablet PCs – newest development in portable, full featured computers offering all the functionality of a notebook PC & are lighter and can accept input from a special pen called a stylus or digital pen that is used to tap or write directly on the screen.
V. PDA [Personal Digital Assistant] – handheld personal computers small enough to fit in your hand. Many PDAs let the user access the Internet through a wireless connection.
VI. Smart phones – Some cellular phones double as miniature PCs because they offer advanced features not typically found in cellular phone. So they are called as Smart Phones. The advanced features include Web and e-mail access, special software such as personal organizers or special hardware such as digital cameras or music players. Some models even break in half to reveal a miniature keyboard.
VII. Network Server – In most organizations, individual users have their own desktop computers which are connected to one or more centralized computers called network servers. A network server is usually a powerful computer with special software and equipment that enable it to function as the primary computer in the network.
VIII. Mainframe – used in large organizations such as insurance companies and banks where many people frequently need to use the same data. In a traditional mainframe environment, each user accesses the mainframe’s resources through a device called a terminal.
IX. Minicomputers – are small sized computers as compared to other computers of the day. The capabilities of a minicomputer are often called as midrange computers.
X. Supercomputer – is the most powerful computer made and physically they are some of the largest. They can process huge amounts of data and the fastest supercomputers can perform more than ONE TRILLION calculations per second.