Computer Science - Computer Classification pt. 2 05-19-2015, 04:49 PM
#1
In my first Computer Science thread, I stated that there were two types of computers: Dedicated and General Purpose. Dedicated computers don't go much further than I said they did, doing one job with no written software. General Purpose computers, however, have deeper sub-categories.
Handheld:
A handheld computer, or smartphone, is considered a computer because it runs a (mobile) OS that can change the software it's running (i.e., apps, services,etc...).
Laptop:
More often than not, laptops are considered microcomputers (which I'll get into later) that can be carried around and run on either battery or cable power. Laptops are currently my weapon of choice, seeing as they can accomplish pretty much everything you need done, if you don't cheap out on what you get.
Microcomputer:
A microcomputer is a single-user General Purpose computer with a microprocessor as it's CPU. Microcomputers are commonly referred to as Personal Computers.
Minicomputer:
A multi-user, medium sized computer that usually has higher power requirements and more software available than smaller computers. Another term for these mini-beasts is a Workstation. And no, you can't grab one of these for gaming. They run for around $15000 for a nice model.
Mainframe:
Stores and manipulates vast amounts of data and is capable of some pretty hardcore multiprocessing. These are used by large companies such as banks, airlines, and insurance companies to keep track of accounts and clients.
Supercomputer:
Used for highly calculation-intensive tasks by major Universities, military, and scientific research.
A Common Misconception:
Some people think there's no big difference between a mainframe and a supercomputer. This is very, very wrong.
Let's say you have a mainframe capable of processing 10,000 things at a time. It can accomplish the task of managing 10,000 bank accounts without a hitch. If you had a supercomputer do the same job, it would take a hell of a long time. The reason being, the supercomputer can only process one thing at a time, but it can do that one thing really fast.
Another example would be a tornado simulation. A supercomputer can process this easily, handling only one job. A mainframe would only use one processor, having no other processes to run. Because the mainframe can't handle that amount of intensity, the simulation would immediately crash.
Handheld:
A handheld computer, or smartphone, is considered a computer because it runs a (mobile) OS that can change the software it's running (i.e., apps, services,etc...).
Laptop:
More often than not, laptops are considered microcomputers (which I'll get into later) that can be carried around and run on either battery or cable power. Laptops are currently my weapon of choice, seeing as they can accomplish pretty much everything you need done, if you don't cheap out on what you get.
Microcomputer:
A microcomputer is a single-user General Purpose computer with a microprocessor as it's CPU. Microcomputers are commonly referred to as Personal Computers.
Minicomputer:
A multi-user, medium sized computer that usually has higher power requirements and more software available than smaller computers. Another term for these mini-beasts is a Workstation. And no, you can't grab one of these for gaming. They run for around $15000 for a nice model.
Mainframe:
Stores and manipulates vast amounts of data and is capable of some pretty hardcore multiprocessing. These are used by large companies such as banks, airlines, and insurance companies to keep track of accounts and clients.
Supercomputer:
Used for highly calculation-intensive tasks by major Universities, military, and scientific research.
A Common Misconception:
Some people think there's no big difference between a mainframe and a supercomputer. This is very, very wrong.
Let's say you have a mainframe capable of processing 10,000 things at a time. It can accomplish the task of managing 10,000 bank accounts without a hitch. If you had a supercomputer do the same job, it would take a hell of a long time. The reason being, the supercomputer can only process one thing at a time, but it can do that one thing really fast.
Another example would be a tornado simulation. A supercomputer can process this easily, handling only one job. A mainframe would only use one processor, having no other processes to run. Because the mainframe can't handle that amount of intensity, the simulation would immediately crash.
It's often the outcasts, the iconoclasts ... those who have the least to lose because they
don't have much in the first place, who feel the new currents and ride them the farthest.
don't have much in the first place, who feel the new currents and ride them the farthest.
![[+]](https://sinister.li/images/modern/collapse_collapsed.png)
![[Image: AD83g1A.png]](http://i.imgur.com/AD83g1A.png)
