There are different computer types available depending on the principal of operation. i.e. a number of users they can support at one time, their size, power. 

1. Types of computer
MARIA IJAZ

2. Learning objectives
 Types of computers
 Analog computers
 Digital computers
 Hybrid computers
 Subtypes of digital computers

3. Types of computer
 There are different computer types available depending on the principal of
operation. i.e.
 number of users they can support at any one time
 their size
 power.

4. Types of computer

5. Analog computer
 Analog computers are special purpose computers that represent and store data in
continuously verifying physical quantities such as current, voltage or frequency.
 These computers are programmed for measuring physical quantities like
temperature, speed etc. and to perform computations on these measurements.
 Analog computers are mainly used for scientific and engineering applications

6. Analog computer

7. Digital computer
 Digital computer, any of a class of devices capable of solving problems by
processing information in discrete form.
 It operates on data, including magnitudes, letters, and symbols, that are expressed
in binary code. Using only the two digits 0 and 1.
 Each one is called bit.
 Digital computer are well suited for solving complex problems.

8. Hybrid Computers
 Hybrid computers combine the technology of both analog and digital computers.
 These computers store an process analog signals which have been converted into
discrete numbers using analog-to digital converters.
 Hybrid computers are faster than analog computers but much slower than digital
computers. It finds applications are special areas.

9. Types of
Computer
Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer

10. Super computers
 Super computers are the biggest and fastest computer, which is mainly designed for
complex scientific applications.
 It has many CPUs (central processing units which operate in parallel to make it as a
fastest computer.
 These computers are very expensive and more powerful than mainframe computers.
 These are specialized and task specific computers used by large organizations.

11. Uses of super computer
It is typically used in the following applications
 Weather forecasting
 Petroleum Exploration and production
 Defense
 Nuclear Energy Research
 Weapons research
 Earth quake prediction(seismology)

12. Super computers
 Advantage
 Speed
 Disadvantage
 Generate a large amount of heat during operation

13. Mainframes
 Mainframe computers are very large and fast computers but smaller and slower
the super computers.
 These are used in a centralized location where many terminals (Input/Out put
devices) are connected with one CPU and thus, allow different users to share the
single CPU.
 They have a very high memory (several hundred megabytes) and can support
thousands of users. These computers are faster and more powerful than
minicomputers.

14. Mainframes

15. Areas where mainframes are used
 Airline reservation
 Big banks with hundreds of branches located all over the world
 Big universities with thousands of enrollment
 Natural gas and oil exploration companies
 Space Vehicle control
 Weather forecasting
 Animated Cartoon
 Some mainframes are designed to be extremely fast and called super computers.
It is used for space launching, monitoring and controlling.

16. Mainframes
 Advantage
 Supports many users and instructions
 Large memory
 Disadvantage
 Huge size
 Expensive

17. Minicomputer
 Also called the minis
 Minicomputers are medium scale, smaller and generally slower than mainframe
computers.
 Like Mainframes, they have many terminals which are connected with one CPU
and can support many users.
 The cost of minicomputer is very less as compared to mainframe. These
computers are faster and more powerful than microcomputers.

18. Minicomputer

19. Uses of Minicomputers
 Control of Automated Teller Machine (ATMs)
 Payroll
 Hospital patients registration
 Inventory Control for supermarket
 Insurance claims processing
 Small bank accounting and customer details tracking

20. Minicomputer
 Advantage
 Cater to multiple users
 Lower costs than mainframes
 Disadvantage
 Large
 Bulky

21. Microcomputer
 These are also called personal computer system
 The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing computers.
 These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers.
 The Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment,
education and work purposes.

22. Microcomputer
Can be classified into:
 Desktop PCs
 sits on desks, rarely moved, large and bulky.
 Memory capacity, graphics capacity and software availability vary from one computer to another
 The usage of such computers is quite common is offices, markets, homes etc.
 Portable PCs
 Can be moved easily from place to place
 Weight may varies
 Small PCs are popular known as laptop
 Widely used by students, scientist, reporters, etc.

24. Microcomputer
 Advantages
 Small size
 Low cost
 Portability
 Low Computing Power
 Commonly used for personal applications
 Disadvantages
 Low processing speed