Various types of computer

A computer is a man-made machine that helps make human life easier by helping in computation and complex calculations with precision and speed. Computers are everywhere around us ranging from PCs, laptops, smartwatches, smartphones, calculators, etc. Not every one, but most of us also use it in daily life. These are not only types of computer that we know, there are more varieties of computer available in the market and there are used for different purposes. Computers can be as big as occupying a large building and as small as a laptop or a microcontroller in mobile & embedded systems. In this article, we are going to show the types of computer. It will give you an idea about the computers.

A computer is an electronic device that takes input such as numbers, text, sound, image, animations, video, etc., processes it, and converts it into meaningful information that could be understood, presenting the changed input as output. All numbers, text, sound, images, animations, and video used as input are called data, and all numbers, text, sound, images, animations, and video returned as output are called information. Input is the raw data entered into the computer by using input devices. A basic computer consists of 4 components: an input device, a CPU, output devices, and memory.

Let's see the types of computer

Personal Computer

Personal Computer is also known as a Microcomputer. Its physical characteristics and low cost are appealing and useful for its users. It appeared in the year of 1970’s that work with small CPU, RAM and memory chips. It is useful to the word processing, accounting, desktop, database management applications and etc. The number of home users use this software for play games and learn anything from internet easily. The personal computer maintains several kinds of computers such as following -

Desktop model

A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top of the computer. Desktop model computers are broad and low. Because of their shape, desktop model computers are generally limited to three internal mass storage devices. Desktop models designed to be very small are sometimes referred to as slimline models.

Laptop computer

A small, portable computer -- small enough that it can sit on your lap. Nowadays, laptop computers are more frequently called notebook computers.

Notebook

A notebook is a small, portable personal computer with a "clamshell" form factor, having, typically, a thin LCD or LED computer screen mounted on the inside of the upper lid of the "clamshell" and an alphanumeric keyboard on the inside of the lower lid. The "clamshell" is opened up to use the computer. The notebook can be powered either from an internal battery or by an external power supply from an AC adapter. Hardware specifications, such as the processor speed and memory capacity, significantly vary between different types, makes, models and price points.

Netbook

A netbook is very familiar with the alternative of Desktop and Laptop Computer. Basically, there was no distinctive difference between the laptop and netbook, unlike the sizes. The sizes of the netbook are under 10 Inch. At the same time, it uses less memory and storage to make it comfortable for some primary uses including internet surfing or doing some simple work. As with the notebook it also uses the attached keyboard and mouse pad.

Tower model

The term refers to a computer in which the power supply, motherboard, and mass storage devices are stacked on top of each other in a cabinet. This is in contrast to desktop models, in which these components are housed in a more compact box. The main advantage of tower models is that there are fewer space constraints, which makes installation of additional storage devices easier.

Tablet Computer

It is the most updated versions of the computer. It works as like the laptop, and the display is also the same. But it has no keyboard. It needs to use the touchscreen which does the work of mouse or keyboard. At the same time, it is very smooth, functional and of course portable. The sizes of the tablet computer are under 10 inch.

Smartphone Computers

The uses of the smartphone are increasing so rapidly. As it is pocket-sized and mostly stays under 6 inch, so it is very comfortable to meet some essential daily needs for computers. At the same time, the widespread use and functional work of smartphone have made it as the part of everyday life.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

It is built for fulfilling some specific needs. It uses less hardware and handy to use. It never uses any keyboard or mouse. Especially, it is constructed to complete some particular task. For example, reading devices or listening devices. It small in size and portable.

Game consoles

Game Consoles is a specialized computer for playing the games. That means it is also used for entertaining. Those who feel comfortable with the video games, it is a perfect computer for them.

Palmtop

A small computer that literally fits in your palm. Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars. Palmtops that use a pen rather than a keyboard for input are often called hand-held computers or PDAs. Because of their small size, most palmtop computers do not include disk drives. However, many contain PCMCIA slots in which you can insert disk drives, modems, memory, and other devices. Palmtops are also called PDAs, hand-held computers, and pocket computers.

Programmable Calculator

The primary task of a computer is doing the calculation. This types of the computer can do all kinds of calculation including complicated mathematical terms. At the same time, it is portable.

Supercomputer

The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing are the Supercomputers. These are specialized and task-specific computers used by large organizations. These computers are used for research and exploration purposes like NASA uses supercomputers for launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space exploration purpose.

Mainframe

The mainframe was a term originally referring to the cabinet containing the central processor unit or "mainframe" of a room-filling Stone Age batch machine. After the emergence of smaller "minicomputer" designs in the early 1970s, the traditional big iron machines were described as "mainframe computers" and eventually just as mainframes. The mainframe is a very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. Mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs.

Minicomputer

Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”. These are small machines and can be accommodated on a disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as super-computers & Mainframes. These computers are not designed for a single user. Individual departments of a large company or organizations use Mini-computers for specific purposes. For example, a production department can use Mini-computers for monitoring certain production process.

Server

A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, lots of memory and large hard drives. The next type of computer can fill an entire room.

Workstation

Another type of computer is a workstation. A workstation is simply a desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development.

Wearable Computer

The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially, common computer applications (e-mail, database, multimedia, calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even clothing. For more information see these articles on computer clothing, smart watches, and fabric PCs.