1. Types of Computers Chidambaranathan C.M

2. What is a Computer? A device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result.

3. Handheld devices such as these are also computers…

4. 3 types of computers are used for business information systems: Mainframes Minicomputers Microcomputers

5. Mainframe Computers industry term for a large computer - “big iron” “modularized” to reduce overhead used to centralized computer processing often used as large database servers Mainframes usually cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and are manufactured by companies such as Hitachi, IBM and Amdahl.

6. Mainframe Definition Large, powerful computers that are used for centralized storage, processing, and management of very large amounts of data.

7. Diagram of a Simple Mainframe Configuration

8. Minicomputers smaller than a Mainframe larger than a PC (Microcomputer) have become the “mid-range” server IBM’s AS/400 is an example

9. Minicomputer Definition A computer designed to serve multiple users and process significant amounts of data; larger than a microcomputer, but smaller than a mainframe.

10. Microcomputers Also called Personal Computers (PCs) desktop computing and client-server applications can serve both as a client and a serverclient server Sun Microsystems generally is thought to manufacture high-end PCs.

11. Microcomputer Definition It’s designed for use by a single user.

12. Microcomputers Microcomputers are generally categorized by the Central Processing Unit (CPU) type: –Intel-IBM compatible (Wintel) –Motorola – Apple/Macintosh/Power PC –Sun Microsystems - SPARC

13. Microcomputers Forms of Micro-Computers: –Workstations High processing speed and performance Engineering, graphical uses –Personal computers Less powerful than workstations Categorized as either a desktop or portable computer Laptops or notebooks –Handheld Computers and PDAs Smallest personal computers Increased power to perform word processing and complex spreadsheet and database functions Mobile connectivity with wireless telephone, internet and email.