Classification of Computer

Classification/ Categories of digital computers (by size & speed)

There are four main categories of computer are as follows.

1. Micro/Personal Computer:

•    A PC is a computer that performs input, processing, output and storage activities by itself.
•     It consists of processer, memory, storage device etc.
•    It was introduced in 1970.
•    It is used by one person at a time.

2. Minicomputer:

•      It is large and more powerful than PC.
•      It consist of two or more processors(CPU)
•      It was introduced in 1960.
•      It can execute five million instructions per second (MIPS).

3. Main frame computer:

• It is large computer in the term of size, speed, price and power.
• It consist of multiple processors(CPU)
• It was introduced in 1970.
• It can execute 16 million instructions per second(MIPS)
• It is used by multiple users simultaneously.

4. Super computer:

• It is large in price, size, speed and power than other types of computer.
• It consist of thousands processors(CPU)
• It was introduced in 1970.
• It can execute trillions of instructions in one second.