1. GRAP 3175 Computer Applications for Drafting Unit IV Computer Classifications

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

3. Classifications Supercomputers Mainframe computers Minicomputers Workstations Microcomputers (PCs)

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

5. Supercomputers Several thousand users CPU time GigaFLOPs

7. Mainframes Climate controlled computer rooms MIPS IBM 1000+ users

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

9. Workstations “Souped-up” PCs

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

11. 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

12. Benchmarks in the PC Industry Intel 4004 microprocessor 1971 -- 4-bit Altair 8800 -- 1975 -- kit /w 1k of memory Apple II, Commodore, Atari, TRS-80 Model I -- 1977 IBM PC -- 1981 -- 16-bit IBM compatibles -- 1985-6 –Tandy, Epson, Compaq, Zenith, etc. Apple Macintosh -- 1984

13. Benchmarks in the PC Industry Compaq Deskpro -- 1986 -- 32-bit Intel 80386 NeXT -- 1988 -- 32-bit Motorola 68030 Intel 80486 -- 1989 Intel Pentium -- 1993 Apple Power PC Pentium II Apple G3

14. Benchmarks in the PC Industry Intel Pentium III Apple G4

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

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

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

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