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1-1 Types of Computers Supercomputers Mainframe computers Minicomputers Microcomputers 1-2 Super Computers : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second. Most superior on all levels Fastest Capable of processing at 120-200 MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second)/ expected to keep Application Areas increasing Most Spacious for Data storage Capable of saving data in trillion of bytes (more than 500 TB). Most costly Prices begin at about $4 million. Largest Occupy large halls -Primarily used for very demanding applications, where huge amount of data input is involved. •Number Crunching •Weather Forecasting •Aircraft design •Nuclear Research •Seismic Analysis •Space Program 1-3 Mainframe Computers Application Areas A bit moderate as compared with Super -Primarily used by medium to large size companies as a central Computers. computing resource. First developed computers in the history (50’s) For large processing applications in Specially wired for connecting 100’s of business areas such as terminals. Speed Capable of processing at 10’s of MIPS. Capacity for Data storage - accounting, - sales and marketing, production, and - human resources. Capable of saving data in trillion of bytes (up to 500 TB). Cost Range $100,000 or more. Size Occupy large rooms 1-4 Mini Computers Smaller & cheaper than main frame inApplication Areas -Primarily used by sub-departments its capabilities. of companies to offload the Came in 70’s to offload the overloaded company mainframe’s work. Mainframes. e.g. an inventory department might Technological advancements result inuse a mini to provide better control of stock and to make predictions increased capabilities & reduced prices. about future needs. New versions are called Mid Range Computers. Speed -Comparable to main frame now. Capacity for Data storage Capable of saving data in trillion of bytes (up to 100 TB or more). 1-5 Micro Computers Introduced in early 80’s. Can be sub-classed on speed and portability. SUPERMICROS High powered (near to minis) Used in different processing approaches Example: Workstation Micros (Network server, high quality graphics-designing etc.) -Leading Manufactures for workstations are SUN Microsystems Application Areas -Popularly used as a server machine in a networked environment. -Widely use for business applications. 1-6 Micro Computers DESKTOP MICROS Keep on increasing in processing power etc. Mostly in a personal access. Can run many applications at a time (needs operating system support). PORTABLE MICROS Very Compact & Lightweight. As powerful as desktops. Used by mobile users Laptop – about 11 lbs/ can be fitted inside an airplane tray. Notebook – nearly 7 lbs/ can be accommodated in a brief case. Palmtop – 2/3 lbs / can fit into a pocket or purse. – Capabilities: Hand-writing recognition, personal organization tools, travel information, communication means. 1-7 Microcomputers Least powerful Widely used Four types Desktop Application Areas Notebook or laptop -Almost every where (because of ever falling cost). Tablet PC -Education -Entertainment Handheld -Businesses smartphones -Mobile Professions (Salespersons, Field data collecting staff etc.) …Micro Computer Hardware Input/ Output Devices All devices (a variety of them) which do the conversion from human understandable to computer understandable data & vice versa. Keyboard, mouse – most common input devices. Students give e.gs Monitors, printers – most common output devices. Students give e.gs 1-8 1-9 Automatic input devices MICR involves the recognition by a machine of special formatted character printed in ink. very speedy and accurate. Used mainly in banks on Cheques and Deposit slips BAR coding Bar code readers can read bar codes—patterns of printed bars. The reader emits light, which reflects off the bar code and into a detector in the reader. The detector translates the code into numbers. Commonly found in supermarkets. Couriers. 1-10 Automatic input devices OMR - involves the marking of pre printed form with a pen/typed. -used in marking A,B,C,D answer sheets, National Lottery. OCR -can be classified as just special scanners. A scanner shines light onto the image and interprets the reflection. Optical character recognition (OCR) software translates scanned text into editable electronic documents. 1-11 Automatic input devices SMART CARDS -a plastic card in which is embedded a microprocessor chip. Most common smart card applications-: credit/debit cards, computer security system, e-cash…etc Voice Recognition devices Visual/ Image Recognition devices - mostly used in computer security systems(biometrics)