SUPERCOMPUTER

A supercomputer is a computer that performs at or near the

currently highest operational rate for computers. A
supercomputer is typically used for scientific and engineering
applications that must handle very large databases or do a
great amount of computation (or both).
 Workstation computer

Sun workstations for development of new MRI pulse sequences

A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific

applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are
commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating
systems. The term workstation has also been used to refer to a mainframe
computer terminal or a PC connected to a network.

Mobile workstations
The synergy of high-performance technologies and compact size. Only power
users need apply.

Tower workstations
Extremely scalable single- and dual-socket Dell Precision workstations for
demanding multi-threaded applications.

Rack workstations
A dual socket 2U rack workstation with high performance graphics and world-
class remote access.
 MINI-COMPUTER

A minicomputer, or colloquially mini, is a class of smaller computers that evolved

in the mid-1960s and sold for much less than mainframe and mid-size computers
from IBM and its direct competitors. In a 1970 survey, the New York Times
suggested a consensus definition of a minicomputer as a machine costing less
than 25 A minicomputer, or colloquially mini, is a class of smaller computers that evolved in
the mid-1960s and sold for much less than mainframe and mid-size computers from IBM and its
direct competitors. In a 1970 survey, the New York Times suggested a consensus definition of a
minicomputer as a machine costing less than 25 000 USD, with an input-output device such as a
teleprinter and at least 4K words of memory, that is capable of running programs in a higher
level language, such as Fortran or Basic.[1] The class formed a distinct group with its own
hardware architectures and operating systems.

When single-chip CPUs appeared, beginning with the Intel 4004 in 1971, the term
"minicomputer" came to mean a machine that lies in the middle range of the computing
spectrum, in between the smallest mainframe computers and the microcomputers. The term
"minicomputer" is little used today; the contemporary term for this class of system is "midrange
computer", such as the higher-end SPARC, POWER and Itanium-based systems from Oracle,
IBM and Hewlett-Packard.
 PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC)

A small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an

individual user. In price, personal computers range anywhere
from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. All are
based on the microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use
personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop
publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database
management applications. At home, the most popular use for
personal computers is for playing games.
 NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

(n.) An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh less than
6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size and portability, the
principal difference between a notebook computer and a personal computer is the display screen.
Notebook computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel technologies, to produce a
lightweight and non-bulky display screen.

The quality of notebook display screens varies considerably. Many notebook display screens are
limited to VGA resolution. Active-matrix screens produce very sharp images, but they do not
refresh as rapidly as full-size monitors.

In terms of computing power, modern notebook computers are nearly equivalent to personal
computers. They have the same CPUs, memory capacity, and disk drives. However, all this
power in a small package is expensive.

Notebook computers come with battery packs that enable you to run them without plugging them
in. However, the batteries need to be recharged every few hours.
 LAPTOP COMPUTER

A laptop computer is a personal computer for mobile use.[1] A laptop

has most of the same components as a desktop computer, including a
display, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a touchpad (also known as
a trackpad) and/or a pointing stick, and speakers into a single unit. A
laptop is powered by mains electricity via an AC adapter, and can be
used away from an outlet using a rechargeable battery. Laptops are also
sometimes called notebook computers, notebooks, ultrabooks[citation
needed]
or netbooks.

Portable computers, originally monochrome CRT-based and developed

into the modern laptops, were originally considered to be a small niche
market, mostly for specialized field applications such as the military,
accountants and sales representatives. As portable computers became
smaller, lighter, cheaper, more powerful and as screens became larger
and of better quality, laptops became very widely used for all sorts of
purposes.
 HAND-HELD COMPUTER

A portable computer that is small enough to be held in one's

hand. Although extremely convenient to carry, handheld
computers have not replaced notebook computers because of
their small keyboards and screens. The most popular hand-held
computers are those that are specifically designed to provide
PIM (personal information manager) functions, such as a
calendar and address book.
Some manufacturers are trying to solve the small keyboard
problem by replacing the keyboard with an electronic pen.
However, these pen-based devices rely on handwriting
recognition technologies, which are still in their infancy.(1/22/2013)
 PALMTOP COMPUTER

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.
1/22/2013 8:04:29 PM
 PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANCE (PDA)

A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer, or

personal data assistant,[1][2][3] is a mobile device that functions as a personal
information manager. PDAs are largely considered obsolete with the widespread
adoption of smartphones.[4]

Nearly all current PDAs have the ability to connect to the Internet. A PDA has an
electronic visual display, enabling it to include a web browser, all current models
also have audio capabilities enabling use as a portable media player, and also
enabling most of them to be used as mobile phones. Most PDAs can access the
Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Most
PDAs employ touchscreen technology.

The first "PDA" was released in 1984 by Psion, the Organizer II. Followed by
Psion's Series 3, in 1991, which began to resemble the more familiar PDA style. It
also had a full keyboard.[5][6]

The term PDA was first used on January 7, 1992 by Apple Computer CEO John
Sculley at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, referring to the
Apple Newton.[7]

In 1996, Nokia introduced the first PDA with full mobile phone functionality, the
9000 Communicator, which became the world's best-selling PDA. The
Communicator spawned a new category of PDAs: the "PDA phone", now called
"smartphone". Another early entrant in this market was Palm, with a line of PDA
products which began in March 1996.