Chapter # 1

Lecture # 3
Computing devices

Computing devices
All machine, components or devices that contain embedded, specialized
computers are called computing devices.
A machine or device that performs different operations or calculations
automatically is called computing device. These devices contain embedded,
specialized computers.
Characteristics of computing devices:
1. Embedded computers: Computing devices have computers installed inside
a special-purpose hardware. These computers perform the basic input,
processing, storage and output functions. Computing devices contain
embedded computer chips which allow these devices to do special
computing tasks.

Microwave oven Digital alarm clock

 Embedded computers on chips

2. Specialized computers: The computers inside the computing devices are

designed to perform specific tasks. These computers are specific to
purpose.
3. Programmable computer chips: The computing devices contain
programmable computer chips. These chips contain programs that control
the functions of these devices. For example, the computer inside an ATM
has a software that performs the banking transactions.
4. Specific purpose: Computing devices are specific purpose and can only
perform a specific set of tasks.
For example, you cannot use an ATM machine to send emails. It can only be
used for banking transactions.
Similarly, you cannot make MS-word documents using microwave oven. It
can only perform some specific tasks.

Examples of computing devices:

1. ATM machine: The computer of ATM machine performs banking
transactions automatically. An embedded computer is installed inside an
ATM machine, which performs the operations of the machine.
 ATM Machine

2. Digital washing machine: The computer of a digital washing machine can

be programmed to wash clothes.

Digital washing machines

3. Digital alarm clock: The computer of a digital alarm clock sets the time for
alarm and manages calendar.

Digital alarm clock

Toys, digital cameras cell phones, CD player etc. are also examples of computing
devices.

Computing devices
 Classification of digital computers

Digital computers: A digital computer is a machine that can solve problems for
people by carrying out instructions given to it. A digital computer consists of an
interconnected system of processors, memories and input/output devices. For
example, desktop computers, laptops, smart phones etc.

Desktop computer Laptop

Classification of digital computers:

Computers are classified on the basis of their physical size, speed and cost etc.
Based on these factors, computers are classified into four categories:
1. Supercomputer
2. Mainframe computer
3. Minicomputer
4. Microcomputer
1. Supercomputer:
i. Developed: The first supercomputer was developed in 1964.
ii. Size: Supercomputer is the largest computer in size. They span 1000s
of sq. feet. They usually fit in very large rooms.
iii. Cost: Supercomputers are the most expensive computers.
iv. Operating system: Supercomputers use very powerful computers.
They do not use common operating systems. Especially designed OS
called Linux is used.
v. Speed: Supercomputers are the fastest and most powerful
computers in the world. They are capable of executing 1 quadrillion
instructions/second (1 quadrillion = 1000 trillion). Their performance
is usually calculated in FLOPS (Floating point operations per second).
vi. CPU/processors: Supercomputers can have up to 100,000
interconnected processors.
vii. Parallel computing: In supercomputers, the processors work
together to perform tasks in order to make processing faster. They
work simultaneously to perform complex calculations.
viii. Main purpose: Supercomputers are not used for everyday tasks.
They are used to process complex calculations. They are also used in
designing and controlling complicated machines like rockets and
fighter planes.
ix. Application areas: Application areas of supercomputers are as
follows:
a. Designing and controlling of complex machines like rockets
and fighter planes
b. Nuclear research
c. Weather forecasting
d. Quantum physics
In Pakistan, supercomputers are used in many organizations like
Atomic energy research center and missile control systems.
x. Examples: Cray-1, Summit supercomputer, Sierra supercomputer.
Manufacturers: Cray Inc. and IBM are manufacturers of
supercomputers. Both are America-based companies.
Supercomputers
2. Mainframe computers
i. Developed: The first mainframe computer was developed in 1930s.
ii. Size: Mainframe is smaller than supercomputer but larger than
minicomputers and microcomputers. They can fill a large room
because they have a large number of peripheral devices.
iii. Cost: Mainframe computers are the less expensive than
supercomputers. They cost more than mini and microcomputers.
iv. Operating system: Mainframe computers are less powerful than
supercomputers. They can use Linux, UNIX or Windows based
operating systems.
v. Speed: Mainframes are capable of executing 1 trillion
instructions/second (TIPS).
vi. CPU/processors: Mainframe computers have thousands of
interconnected processors.
vii. Parallel computing: In mainframe computers, 1000s of processors
work together to execute multiple programs.
viii. Number of users: Mainframe computers can support thousands of
users simultaneously.
ix. Main purpose: Mainframes are used as storage for large databases
and serve a maximum number of users at a time. They are used as
servers in big organizations.
x. Application areas: Application areas of mainframe computers are as
follows:
a. Large corporations
b. Banks
c. Universities
d. Scientific and engineering laboratories
e. Airline systems
xi. Examples: IBM’s zEnterprize EC12, EC 196 and HP 16500 series
Mainframe computers
3. Minicomputers
i. Developed: Minicomputer was developed in 1960s.
ii. Size: Minicomputer is smaller than supercomputer and mainframe
but larger than microcomputers. They can fit in a small room. They
can fit on a few inches racks.
iii. Cost: Minicomputers are less expensive than supercomputers and
mainframe. They cost more than microcomputers.
iv. Operating system: Minicomputers are less powerful than
supercomputers and mainframe but more powerful than
microcomputers. They can use different versions of Windows based
operating systems.
v. Speed: Minicomputers are capable of executing 1 billion
instructions/second (BIPS).
vi. CPU/processors: Minicomputers have multiple processors. They can
process more data than microcomputers but less data than super
and mainframe computers.
vii. Parallel computing: In minicomputers, processors work together to
execute multiple programs.
viii. Number of users: Minicomputers can support 4-200 users
simultaneously.
ix. Main purpose: Minicomputers are used as servers in small-sized
networks.
x. Application areas: Application areas of minicomputers are as follows:
a. Industrial process control
b. Scientific research
c. Small business applications
xi. Examples: IBM’s System/36, DEC PDP, Vax series, HP 3000 etc.
Minicomputers
4. Microcomputers
i. Developed: Microcomputer was developed in 1970s.
ii. Size: Microcomputers are the smallest computers in size. They are
small because of LSI (Large Scale Integration) and VLSI (Very Large
Scale Integration) technologies. They can fit on a desktop (desktop
computers), in a briefcase (laptops) and in hands (Tablet PC).
iii. Cost: Microcomputers are least expensive computers.
iv. Operating system: Microcomputers are least powerful computers
and are used for personal use. They can use different versions of
Windows based operating systems.
v. Speed: Microcomputer are capable of executing millions of
instructions/second (MIPS).
vi. CPU/processors: Microcomputers have multiple microprocessors.
They can have 2, 3, 5 or 7 microprocessors.
vii. Parallel computing: In microcomputers, processors work together to
execute multiple programs.
viii. Number of users: Microcomputers can support only one user at a
time.
ix. Main purpose: Microcomputers are for individual users for personal
use. They support a large number of software applications.
x. Application areas: Microcomputers can be used in almost every field
of life. They can be used in business, homes, small offices,
educational institutes etc.
xi. Examples: IBM Thinkpad, Toshiba Satellite series, Dell XPS, HP envy
series, Apple series etc.
Microcomputers