a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from up

to 200 users simultaneously.

 Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a

microprocessor.
 Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like
a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and,
in general, a higher-quality monitor.
 Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of supporting up to
hundreds of users simultaneously.
 Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting
many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
 Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can perform
hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

Supercomputers
Supercomputers are Very Fast and Most Powerful
1. Supercomputers – Supercomputers are very expensive, very fast, and the most powerful
computers we have in the world.

Supercomputers are optimized to execute a few number of programs. This makes it possible
for them to execute these few programs at a very high speed. Due to their inhibiting cost, they
are used in high end places like in scientific research centers. The supercomputer consists of
thousands of processors making it clock very high speeds measured by petaflops.

These computer types are also very large in size due to the numerous parts and components
involved in their design.

A good example of a Supercomputer is Tianhe-2: TH-IVB-FEP Cluster; National Super

Computer Center in Guangzhou, China; 3.12 million cores (33.86 petaflop/s).

A Supercomputer
Amalka Supercomputing Facility | Source

Mainframe Computers
2. Mainframe computers — These are large and expensive computer types capable of
supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. Thus, they are mostly used
by governments and large organizations for bulk data processing, critical applications,
transaction processing, census, industry and consumer statistics among others. They are
ranked below supercomputers.

Minicomputers
3. Minicomputers — Minicomputers are mid sized computers. In terms of size and power,
minicomputers are ranked below mainframes. A minicomputer is a multiprocessing system
capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.

The use of the term Minicomputer has diminished and they have merged with servers.

Note: Users connects to the mainframe or minicomputers using dumb

terminal – a keyboard and monitor. A dumb terminal is simply an output
device that accepts data from the CPU. In contrast, a smart terminal is a
monitor that has its own processor for special features, such as bold and
blinking characters. Dumb terminals are not as fast as smart terminals, and
they do not support as many display features, but they are adequate for
most applications.

Microcomputer
4. Microcomputers or Personal computers – A personal computer is a computer designed
to be used by one user at a time.The term microcomputer relates to microprocessor which is
used with a personal computer for the purpose of processing data and instruction codes.
These are the most common computer types since they are not very expensive.

Microcomputers Are Classified as

Desktop and Portable (Mobile)
Computers

Desktop Computers
Desktop computers are not built to be mobile. They are moved, but only to a new desktop
location and with the power supply inactive. There are a number of major differences between
computers that are intended to be used in one place as a desktop and portables or mobiles
that can be easily moved from one location to another.

Desktop computers are large and heavy in comparison to portables. They can be carried in
specially manufactured cases, but only to assist a support engineer in moving, not as a
frequent procedure. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are all separate items on a desktop.

Mainframe computers that are used in banking institutions store data pertaining
to client records, domestic operations and other vital processing information

Minicomputers are a class of computing machines that range in size between

large mainframe computers and smaller, personal computers. They function as
Internet servers and network servers in banking operations. According to
"Telecommunications: A Beginner's Guide," minicomputers allow banks to shift
from centralized to distributed processing. Banks use minicomputers as file
storage systems, to run email systems and perform Internet operations. The
typical minicomputer is capable of supporting more than 64 terminals.
Examples of minicomputers used in banks include the Wang Laboratories 2200
and VS series and Nova from Data General.

PCs used in the banking sector are programmed to run spreadsheet, word
processing and database software, in addition to web browsers and email
clients. Microcomputers typically used in banks include tablet PCs, notebooks
and laptops, desktop computers, palmtop computers, programmable
calculators and personal digital assistants.

Minicomputers are used for complex computations in the fields of

science and engineering.Their use extends to database management,
business transactions and various file handling

Commoly used mainframe computers

(i) Government and civilian

(ii) Credit card processing

(iii) Bank

(iv) Marketing

(V) Business data processing in large organization

(vi) Air traffic control system

(vii) Industrial design

Minicomputer mainly used as small or mid-range servers operating

business and scientific applications.

a minicomputer is a multiprocessingsystem capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users

simultaneously.

Mainframe: Mainframe computers are powerful computers used primarily by

corporate and governmental organizations for critical applications, bulk data
processing such as census. In some ways, mainframes are more power than
supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs.

Supercomputer: Supercomputer is a board term for one of the fastest

computer currently available. Supercomputers are employed for specialized
application that requires immense amounts of mathematical calculations.

A workstation (WS) is a computer dedicated to a user or group of

users engaged in business or professional work. It includes one or
more high resolution displays and a faster processor than a personal
computer (PC).