Differnt types of computers

It's impossible to imagine life without a computer nowadays. We do our work, entertain our-
selves and find out what we need to know via computers. Sometimes we forget that the smart-
phone is just a palm-sized version of our desktop PC.

While the term computer can apply to virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it, most
people think of a computer as a device that receives input from the user through a mouse or key-
board, processes it in some fashion and displays the result on a screen. The hardware and soft-
ware within computers have evolved at a circuit-snapping pace in the past few decades — the
bulky desk-crushing machines from the early '80s look nothing like the featherweight
touchscreen tablets of today.

Compared to those of the late 20th-century, today's modern computers are also a lot more inter-
connected thanks to the unrelenting sprawl of the internet and various web technologies. And
this very connectedness has altered the computers themselves. Gone are the days of dial-up mo-
dems that beeped their way to text-based bulletin board systems. Now, computers use WiFi and
broadband connections to blaze their way through multimedia content from live streaming news
to movies to multi-player games and much more.

There are a lot of terms used to describe different types computers. Most of these words imply
the size, expected use or capability of the computer. Let's get started with the most obvious one.

The personal computer (PC) defines a computer designed for general use by a single person.
While an iMac is definitely a PC, most people relate the acronym to computers that run on the
Windows operating system instead. PCs were first known as microcomputers because they were
complete computers but built on a smaller scale than the huge systems in use by most businesses.
In 1981, iconic tech maker IBM unveiled its first PC, which relied on Microsoft's now-legendary
operating system — MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System). Apple followed up in 1983
by creating the Lisa, one of the first PCs with a GUI (graphical user interface) [sources: Alfred,
Cabell]. That's a fancy way of saying "icons" were visible on the screen. Before that, computer
screens were pretty plain. Along the way, critical components such as CPUs (central processing
units) and RAM (random access memory) evolved at a breakneck pace, making computers faster
and more efficient. In 1986, Compaq unleashed a 32-bit CPU on its 386 machines. And of
course, Intel grabbed a place in computer history in 1993 with its first Pentium processor. Now,
personal computers have touchscreens, all sorts of built-in connectivity (like Bluetooth and Wi-
Fi), and operating systems that morph by the day. So do the sizes and shapes of the machines
themselves.

Until the middle of the 1980s, consumers had one choice for a PC — and it was the desktop for-
mat. These knee-knocking boxes (called "towers") were big enough to gouge your shins. Equip-
ped with large CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors, they crowded your home workspace or the of-
fice. The expectation with desktop systems were that you would set the computer up in a perma-
nent location. Most desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost than their
portable brethren, which was what made them the go-to computer in the 1990s, when laptops
were still thousands of dollars. These days, desktops are much, much cheaper than they were 20
years, and you can have one for just a few hundred dollars. That's a far cry from the thousands of
dollars they cost in the '80s. In fact, one of Hewlett-Packard's first business PCs, the 300, cost
$95,000 in 1972.

Once upon a time, if you wanted to use a PC, you had to use a desktop. Engineers simply
couldn't condense the sophisticated systems in a PC into a portable box. In the mid-1980s,
though, many big computer manufacturers made a push to popularize laptop computers.
Laptops are portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing device or track-
ball, processor, memory and hard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an
average hardcover book.

The first true commercial laptop, though, was a far cry from the svelte devices crowding retail
shops today. The Osborne 1, released in 1981, sold for around $1,800, had 64 kb of memory —
and weighed about 24 pounds (10 kilograms). As it toned your biceps, the Osborne 1 also gave
your eyes a workout, as the screen was just 5 inches. Fortunately, manufacturers quickly im-
proved upon the look and feel of laptops. Just two years later, Radio Shack's TRS-80 Model 100
packed its component into a 4-pound (8 kilogram) frame, but it lacked power. By the end of the
decade, NEC's UltraLite smashed barriers by cramming real computing efficiency into the first
true notebook.

Netbooks are ultra-portable computers that are even smaller than traditional laptops. The extreme
cost-effectiveness of netbooks (roughly $200) means they're cheaper than almost any brand-new
laptop you'll find at retail outlets. However, netbooks' internal components are less powerful than
those in regular laptops. Netbooks first appeared in 2007, primarily as a means for accessing the
internet and web-based applications, from email, to music and movie streaming, to web surfing.
They're incredibly compact, but as a result, their specifications list often resembles a very strip-
ped-down laptop. They have small displays (as small as 6 or 7 inches or 15-18 centimeters), little
storage capacity (perhaps maxing out at 64GB), and sometimes skimp on or altogether skip data
ports (like USB or HDMI) that traditional laptops wield. A lot of netbooks come from small
manufacturers, as the big guns can't be bothered with the low profit margins of these cheaper ma-
chines. Because they have relatively sluggish processors and little memory, netbooks can't do the
heavy lifting for graphics applications or hardcore games. Instead, they're best for the task that
gives them their name: web surfing.

Tablets have largely replaced the niche netbooks occupied. Tablets are thin, flat devices that look
like larger versions of smartphones. They were first manufactured in 2000 by Lenovo, but popu-
larized by Apple in 2010 with the release of its iPad. Tablets can do pretty much all the functions
that laptops do, but don't have the internal fans that PCs have. So they have to rely on lower-per-
forming processors that won't use as much heat or battery power. They also have less storage ca-
pacity than traditional PCs. Older tablets used the same operating systems as mobile phones but
the newer tablets use a full operating system such as Micrsoft Windows 10. Tablets are more
portable than PCs, have a longer battery life yet can also do smartphone-like activities such as
taking photos, playing games and drawing with a stylus. For those who like the keyboard func-
tionality of a laptop, some tablets come with a keyboard (attached or detachable), allowing you
to combine the best of both worlds.
Early computers of the 20th century famously required entire rooms. These days, you can carry
much more processing power right in your pants pocket. Handheld computers like smartphones
and PDAs are one of our era's iconic devices. Debuting in the 1990s, personal digital assistants
(PDAs) were tightly integrated computers that often used flash memory instead of a hard drive
for storage. These computers usually didn't have keyboards but relied on touchscreen technology
for user input. PDAs were typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with a rea-
sonable battery life. For a time, they were the go-to devices for calendars, email, and simple mes-
saging functions. But as the smartphone revolution began, PDAs lost their luster. Smartphones
like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy blend calling features and PDA functionality along with
full-blown computer capabilities that get more jaw-dropping by the day. They feature touch-
screen interfaces, high-speed processors, many gigabytes of memory, complete connectivity op-
tions (including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and more), dual-lens cameras, high-quality audio systems, and
other features that would startle electronics engineers from half a century ago. Although smart-
phones have existed in some fashion since 2000, it was the heavily hyped debut of the iPhone 3G
in 2007 that brought the device to the masses. The look, feel and functionality of that iPhone set
the template for all the other smartphones that have followed.

A workstation is simply a desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, additional mem-
ory, high-end graphics adapters and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of
tasks, such as 3D graphics or game developmentWorkstations, like regular desktop computers,
are intended for individual users. But they differ from desktops in that they are much, much
speedier. Typically, it's businesses like engineering firms or multimedia companies that buy these
workhorse PCs for their employees. The power of a workstation doesn't come cheap. Whereas
small businesses can easily find normal desktops for just a few hundred dollars, workstations
might cost three times as much. Basic workstations easily go for $1,500 and double in price in a
hurry. But whereas cheap desktops are built with equally cheap (read: sometimes unreliable)
components, workstations are quality machines meant for serious business. They may be left on
overnight to crunch numbers or render animations. Therefore, these computers sport redundant
hard drives for data safety, as well as faster CPUs and large-capacity solid-state drives. All of
those factors point to a machine that's made more for profit instead of basic word processing or
random games of Minesweeper.

ATX form factor

In computing, the form factor is the specification of a motherboard – the dimensions, power sup-
ply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc. Specifically, in the
IBM PC compatible industry, standard form factors ensure that parts are interchangeable across
competing vendors and generations of technology, while in enterprise computing, form factors
ensure that server modules fit into existing rackmount systems. Traditionally, the most signifi-
cant specification is for that of the motherboard, which generally dictates the overall size of the
case. Small form factors have been developed and implemented.

A PC motherboard is the main circuit board within a typical desktop computer, laptop or server.
Its main functions are as follows:
To serve as a central backbone to which all other modular parts such as CPU, RAM, and hard
 drives can be attached as required to create a computer
To be interchangeable (in most cases) with different components (in particular CPU and ex-
pansion cards) for the purposes of customization and upgrading
To distribute power to other circuit boards
To electronically co-ordinate and interface the operation of the components

As new generations of components have been developed, the standards of motherboards have
changed too. For example, the introduction of AGP and, more recently, PCI Express have influ-
enced motherboard design. However, the standardized size and layout of motherboards have
changed much more slowly and are controlled by their own standards. The list of components re-
quired on a motherboard changes far more slowly than the components themselves. For example,
north bridge microchips have changed many times since their introduction with many manufac-
turers bringing out their own versions, but in terms of form factor standards, provisions for north
bridges have remained fairly static for many years.
Although it is a slower process, form factors do evolve regularly in response to changing de-
mands. IBM's long-standing standard, AT (Advanced Technology), was superseded in 1995 by
the current industry standard ATX (Advanced Technology Extended), which still governs the
size and design of the motherboard in most modern PCs. The latest update to the ATX standard
was released in 2007. A divergent standard by chipset manufacturer VIA called EPIA (also
known as ITX, and not to be confused with EPIC) is based upon smaller form factors and its own
standards.
Differences between form factors are most apparent in terms of their intended market sector, and
involve variations in size, design compromises and typical features. Most modern computers
have very similar requirements, so form factor differences tend to be based upon subsets and su-
persets of these. For example, a desktop computer may require more sockets for maximum flexi-
bility and many optional connectors and other features on board, whereas a computer to be used
in a multimedia system may need to be optimized for heat and size, with additional plug-in cards
being less common. The smallest motherboards may sacrifice CPU flexibility in favor of a fixed
manufacturer's choice.

Hardware standardization is one of the greatest strengths of desktop PCs. You can mix and match
parts to your heart’s content. But not all motherboards are the same physical size. There are dif-
ferent form factors for different types of PCs.

Just like other PC components, motherboards have standardized form factors, including ATX,
MicroATX, and Mini-ITX. Nearly every motherboard for home computers at your local PC shop
or online will be in one of these flavors.
Standardization means you can easily find a processor, RAM, power supply, and storage that
works with your motherboard. It also opens up the choices for desktop PC cases. Numerous cas-
es support all three of the major motherboard sizes. The mount points are drilled into the appro-
priate spots, and the proper space is available for the rear ports and accompanying I/O shield that
covers them.
It’s a beautiful thing, but to decide which motherboard is right for you, you have to consider
things like space, and your experience building PCs and performance needs.
PC Motherboards: The Basics
Intel created the ATX form factor and first introduced it in 1995. For nearly 25 years, the ATX
design has been the predominant form factor for home and office PCs.
The largest of the three motherboard sizes we’re looking at, the ATX measures 12 inches by 9.6
inches. The specification requires all ATX motherboards to be this size. It also specifies the loca-
tions of the mount points, the I/O panel, the power connectors, and all other various connection
interfaces.
All these features are crucial for any motherboard. The mounting points keep the motherboard
away from the case’s metallic surface to prevent electrical shorts. The I/O panel and accompany-
ing shield allow you to access your PC’s rear ports for displays, audio, and USB. Then, you have
the power connectors and all the other interface points that must be in predictable locations to aid
system builders.However, not everyone wants an ATX-sized motherboard—especially if the goal
is to make something more compact. Enter, MicroATX boards, which measure just 9.6 inches by
9.6 inches. Like the larger ATX motherboards, the standard determines what all the various criti-
cal points must be.Finally, the Mini-ITX, developed by Via Technologies in 2001, is the smallest
of them all, measuring a mere 6.7 inches by 6.7 inches. ATX motherboards have the most ex-
pandability. They typically have six (or fewer) PCIe slots for things like graphics, sound, and net-
work cards. However, there are Extended ATX (or EATX) boards that have seven PCIe slots, but
those are aimed at enthusiasts and servers. The MicroATX can have up to four PCIe slots, while
the Mini-ITX has just one for a graphics card. RAM is also limited on the Mini-ITX. It has room
for just two slots versus four on the ATX or MicroATX boards. This doesn’t mean Mini-ITX
boards can’t have a healthy amount of RAM, though. For example, if you want 32 GB of RAM,
you just put two, 16 GB modules on it, whereas, the other two motherboards, you fill with 8 GB
modules.

Motherboards: When to Use What

Gaming
If it’s your first time creating a gaming PC, then an ATX board is probably your best choice, with
the MicroATX coming in second. The larger amount of space you get with an ATX makes it
more forgiving, and you can slot all the various components into place with relative ease.
While ATX is great, there’s no reason to stay away from a MicroATX if you’re a newbie and
want something a little more compact. Putting everything together is a bit tighter, but still doable.
If you do decide to go with a MicroATX, though, pay attention to the case size. You don’t want a
case that also accepts ATX if you want to build something smaller. Also, some MicroATX cases
are slightly wider than ATX-friendly mid-towers, so look carefully at the case dimensions.
Mini-ITX is the “hardest” of the three for gaming because there’s very little room inside the case.
You can create a solid gaming PC with a Mini-ITX board, but you have to carefully consider
headroom for the graphics card, airflow, and cooling. There isn’t a lot of room in a dedicat-
ed Mini-ITX case, especially when compared to a full ATX case.

Home Theater PC (HTPC)

Quite often, space is the prime consideration when you add another device to an already over-
flowing living room entertainment center. This is where a Mini-ITX really shines, as you get a
full living room PC in a diminutive case. Of course, you can purchase an ATX case that works
with Mini-ITX boards. But if you want it to fit on a shelf under your TV, you need something
more compact.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention an even smaller motherboard from Intel called the NUC. In-
tel introduced NUC kits as a way to build tiny, yet capable computers. NUC motherboards typi-
cally measure four by four inches, and the cases are a very tight fit.
Usually, you buy NUCs in a kit that includes the motherboard, processor, discrete graphics
(which vary by kit), and RAM. It’s up to you to add storage or peripherals; however, current
NUCs do not accept full-size graphics cards. So, a NUC only works if you want a PC primarily
for video streaming, home media library management, or casual games.

The Future
As mentioned previously, ATX is an old specification. In the technology world, it’s hard to dis-
lodge anything with that kind of staying power (see Windows XP). Intel tried to introduce a re-
placement for ATX called BTX in 2004, but it never caught on.
Computer manufacturers are still experimenting with alternatives to ATX, however. At Compu-
tex 2019, Asus showed off a high-end motherboard concept called Prime Utopia. It looked very
cool and completely different from anything we have now. It’s a two-sided motherboard, with the
voltage regulator modules (VRMs) on the back, where they can be more easily cooled, and thus,
boost performance. The graphics card is also on the rear, in a dedicated chamber for better cool-
ing, and it’s mounted vertically for more stability.
Asus made the I/O ports modular. This means you can pop in only what you need, like additional
Ethernet ports or a whole lot of USB, and you can dump the mic and headphone ports altogether.
And since having the graphics card in the rear frees up so much space and alleviates heat consid-
erations, the Utopia also has four m.2 slots.
Concepts like the Prime Utopia are great, but it’s unlikely we’ll see a shift away from ATX in the
near future. ATX and its related standards have served the PC enthusiast community well for sev-
eral decades now. Everyone is used to them, and the best practices for building, maintaining, and
cooling these PCs are well established.
All three of these motherboard types are quite capable of getting any job done. Your ultimate
choice depends on the amount of space you have, your level of PC-building experience, and
whether you want expandability for the future.