CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be classified, or typed, many ways. Some common classifications are
summarized below.
Classes by size
Microcomputers (personal computers)
Microcomputers are the most common kind of computers used by people today, whether in
a workplace, at school or on the desk at home. The term “microcomputer” was introduced
with the advent of single chip microprocessors. The term "microcomputer" itself is now
practically an anachronism.
These computers include:
Desktop computers – A case and a display, put under and on a desk.
In-car computers (“carputers”) – Built into a car, for entertainment, navigation, etc.
Game consoles – Fixed computers specialized for entertainment purposes (video
games).
A separate class is that of mobile devices:
Laptops, notebook computers and Palmtop computers – Portable and all in one
case. Varying sizes, but other than smartbooks expected to be “full” computers
without limitations.
Tablet computer – Like laptops, but with a touch-screen, sometimes entirely
replacing the physical keyboard.
Smartphones, smartbooks and PDAs (personal digital assistants) – Small handheld
computers with limited hardware.
Programmable calculator– Like small handhelds, but specialised on mathematical
work.
Handheld game consoles – The same as game consoles, but small and portable.
Minicomputers (midrange computers)
A minicomputer (colloquially, mini) is a class of multi-user computers that lies in the
middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the smallest multi-user systems
(mainframe computers) and the largest single-user systems (microcomputers or personal
computers). The contemporary term for this class of system is midrange computer, such as
the higher-end SPARC, POWER and Itanium -based systems from Oracle Corporation,
IBM and Hewlett-Packard. E.g.- Laboratory computers
http://ecampus.maseno.ac.ke
Computers can be classified, or typed, many ways. Some common classifications are
summarized below.
Classes by size
Microcomputers (personal computers)
Microcomputers are the most common kind of computers used by people today, whether in
a workplace, at school or on the desk at home. The term “microcomputer” was introduced
with the advent of single chip microprocessors. The term "microcomputer" itself is now
practically an anachronism.
These computers include:
Desktop computers – A case and a display, put under and on a desk.
In-car computers (“carputers”) – Built into a car, for entertainment, navigation, etc.
Game consoles – Fixed computers specialized for entertainment purposes (video
games).
A separate class is that of mobile devices:
Laptops, notebook computers and Palmtop computers – Portable and all in one
case. Varying sizes, but other than smartbooks expected to be “full” computers
without limitations.
Tablet computer – Like laptops, but with a touch-screen, sometimes entirely
replacing the physical keyboard.
Smartphones, smartbooks and PDAs (personal digital assistants) – Small handheld
computers with limited hardware.
Programmable calculator– Like small handhelds, but specialised on mathematical
work.
Handheld game consoles – The same as game consoles, but small and portable.
Minicomputers (midrange computers)
A minicomputer (colloquially, mini) is a class of multi-user computers that lies in the
middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the smallest multi-user systems
(mainframe computers) and the largest single-user systems (microcomputers or personal
computers). The contemporary term for this class of system is midrange computer, such as
the higher-end SPARC, POWER and Itanium -based systems from Oracle Corporation,
IBM and Hewlett-Packard. E.g.- Laboratory computers
http://ecampus.maseno.ac.ke
