1. Computer Hardware1 Hardware Types There is a great range of hardware, all of which is called computers. Bank Computers Supercomputers Minicomputers Microcomputers Local Area Networks Wide Area Networks Computing Circuits

2. Computer Hardware2 Bank Computers Vendors: IBM, Amdahl Now obsolete for many purposes Users: Governments, Banks, major information industries such as airlines reservation systems and information providers

3. Computer Hardware3 Supercomputers Vendors: IBM, Mitsubishi, Intel Very fast processor or massive arrays of processors each with hundreds of megabytes of memory running a small number of simultaneous tasks. Users: Governments & Scientific work. Weather prediction. Bomb Simulations

4. Computer Hardware4 Minicomputers Vendors: Hewlett Packard, IBM Networked to many other machines with 5 to 1,000 simultaneous tasks Users: inventory systems, word processing, engineering calculations, eMail systems, Internet support

5. Computer Hardware5 Microcomputers Vendors: IBM, Apple, Compaq, Sun Networked with other computers running a few simultaneous, often unrelated, tasks Users: Single User Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Communication Systems, networks, local eMail, network "nodes"

6. Computer Hardware6 Local Area Networks (LANs) Types: Ethernet (CACD), 10BaseT Speed: 10 to 1000 megabytes/second Limits: A few hundred local machines Purpose: Communication between local computers, data sharing, multi-user database support, resource sharing, printers, file backups

7. Computer Hardware7 Wide Area Networks (WANs) Service Vendors: AOL, Road Runner, the Internet Cost to use: variable, free to a few dollars/hour Purposes: Communication between widely separated computers, World-wide information distribution, e-Mail Users: Becoming universal

8. Computer Hardware8 Computer Circuits Vendors: Many Cost: $0.25 to $200 Size: A few square inches for processor with memory and special purpose devices Users: carburetor controllers, birthday cards, phones, door locks, traffic lights, "Smart" equipment of various types