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Contents 0001: What is a computer? 0010: The main types of computers 0011: PC 0100: Desktop 0101: Laptop 0110: Netbook 0111: PDA 1000: Workstation 1001: Server 1010: Mainframe 1011: Supercomputer 1100: Wearable computer
An electronic machine that can: solve different problems, process data and store & retrieve data and- perform calculations faster and efficiently than humans First of all, let see, what is a computer? "A computer is an electronic machine that can solve different problems, process data, store & retrieve data and perform calculations faster and efficiently than humans." So, "A Computer is programmed device with a set of instructions to perform specific tasks and generate results at a very high speed."
In this picture, you can see five main types of computers. There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most of these words imply the size, expected use or capability of the computer. While the term computer can apply to virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it, most people think of a computer as a device that receives input from the user through a mouse or keyboard, processes it in some fashion and displays the result on a screen The iMac is an all-in-one desktop computer from Apple.
The personal computer (PC) defines a computer designed for general use by a single person. While a Mac is a PC, most people relate the term with systems that run the Windows operating system. PCs were first known as microcomputers because they were a complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the huge systems in use by most businesses personal computer Mac general use by a single person first known as microcomputers a complete computer Personal computers come in many forms, including the new Apple iPad.
A PC that is not designed for portability is a desktop computer. The expectation with desktop systems are that you will set the computer up in a permanent location. Most desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost than their portable brethren. not designed for portability more power, storage and versatility Desktop computers are usually less expensive than laptops.
Also called notebooks, laptops are portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor, memory and hard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover book. also called notebooks portable computers that integrate the hardware components in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover book Apple CEO and co- founder Steve Jobs holds up the new Mac Book Air at the 2008 Macworld.
Netbooks are ultra-portable computers that are even smaller than traditional laptops. The extreme cost-effectiveness of netbooks (roughly $300 to $500) means they're cheaper than almost any brand-new laptop you'll find at retail outlets. However, netbooks' internal components are less powerful than those in regular laptops. ultra-portable computers even smaller than traditional laptops internal components are less powerful than those in regular laptops Netbooks are smaller and cheaper than laptops.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are tightly integrated computers that often use flash memory instead of a hard drive for storage. These computers usually do not have keyboards but rely on touchscreen technology for user input. PDAs are typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with a reasonable battery life. A slightly larger and heavier version of the PDA is the handheld computer. Personal Digital Assistants tightly integrated computers flash memory instead of a hard drive touchscreen technology for user input small; lightweight; reasonable battery life Peter Hahn, resident at Cornell Medical Center proudly displaying the Palm Pilot he uses as a drug database
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. Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT. Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers like PC, but are typically linked together to form a local-area network, although they can also be used as stand-alone systems. simply a desktop computer more powerful processor additional memory engineering applications (CAD/CAM), 3D graphics, game development OS: UNIX, Windows NT Most sound editors use computer workstations for sound editing.
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. optimized to provide services to other computers over a network powerful processors lots of memory and large hard drives Web server racks
In the early days of computing, mainframes were huge computers that could fill an entire room or even a whole floor! As the size of computers has diminished while the power has increased, the term mainframe has fallen out of use in favor of enterprise server. Although mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations uses mainframes to run their business operations. huge computers that could fill an entire room the term mainframe has fallen out of use enterprise server not as powerful as supercomputers quite expensive in large companies Whether it's a desktop PC or a massive supercomputer, computing power all comes down to the processor
An employee of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information checks the supercomputers at the research institute 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. They are also used for weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated) graphics and nuclear energy research. The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size. It can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can span an entire building. The best known supercomputers are built by Cray Supercomputers. the most powerful computers specialized and task specific computers used by large organizations (for research) weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated) graphics, nuclear energy research very expensive Cray Supercomputers
A woman wears Team Tsukamoto's prototype of a wearable PC The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially, common computer applications ( , database, multimedia, calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even clothing. the latest trend in computing common computer applications are integrated watches, cell phones, visors and even clothing
Thank you for your attention! Bibliography [1] (1.) [2] (2.) [3] (2.) [4] (3.-12.) [5] (8.) Created by Peter Tisóczki (c) 2014