GRAP 3175 Computer Applications for Drafting Unit IV Computer Classifications

Criteria for Classifying Computers Architecture –Design of the internal circuitry Processing Speed –MIPS / BIPS Number of Users Cost

Classifications Supercomputers Mainframe computers Minicomputers Workstations Microcomputers (PCs)

Supercomputers Fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computers National security concerns Climate controlled computer rooms Main memory -- Gigabytes BIPS CRAY, NEC, etc.

Supercomputers Several thousand users CPU time GigaFLOPs

Mainframes Climate controlled computer rooms MIPS IBM users

Minicomputers Do not need climate control 100+ users DEC, PRIME, etc.

Workstations “Souped-up” PCs

Personal Computers (PC) 1 user Do not need climate control Wintel PCs Versatile

Why Personal Computers are Popular Increased productivity Problem-solving abilities Usefulness to a variety of people for a variety of tasks Inexpensiveness Availability of easy-to-use software

Benchmarks in the PC Industry Intel 4004 microprocessor bit Altair kit /w 1k of memory Apple II, Commodore, Atari, TRS-80 Model I IBM PC bit IBM compatibles –Tandy, Epson, Compaq, Zenith, etc. Apple Macintosh

Benchmarks in the PC Industry Compaq Deskpro bit Intel NeXT bit Motorola Intel Intel Pentium Apple Power PC Pentium II Apple G3

Benchmarks in the PC Industry Intel Pentium III Apple G4

Microprocessors Intel -- IBM, compatibles Motorola -- Macintosh, NeXT, Amiga, Tectronics Zilog -- TRS-80 Model 4 MOS Technology -- Apple II and IIc

Conventional PCs Towers / Desktops Laptops / Notebooks –portable vs. transportable –docking station Pocket PC

Extended PC Family Slate Computers Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) –Palm Wearable PC Wristwatch computer

Issue of Compatibility ROM-BIOS Methods to obtain compatibility –Emulation Software –Second microprocessor board –Networks –Industry standards