MODULE 4.

TYPES OF COMPUTER
Lesson 4.: Different Types of Computer
No. of Hours: 1.5 hours

A. INTRODUCTION
Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power. They can be different
by its functions, sizes, advantages and disadvantages.

B. OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Recognize the history of a computer.
2. Value the uses and functions of each type of computer; and

3. Differentiate the types of computer.

C. ACTIVITIES (Motivation)

Determine the following image using their names on the Box.

 D. CONTENT

History of Computers

1800 - 1970

1980 - Present
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTER

1. MICRO COMPUTER
- The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing computers.
 Digital computers that works on a microprocessor
 Used in Homes and offices
 Perform Task such as word processing, desktop publishing, and accounting

Advantages
 Small size

 Low Cost

 Portability

Disadvantages
 Low Processing Speed

Types of Micro Computer

1. Desktop computers
2. laptops

3. personal digital assistant (PDA)

4. tablets
5. smartphones
 PC (PERSONAL COMPUTER)

- A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.
PCs are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU
on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for
running spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use for personal

computers is playing games and surfing the Internet. Although personal computers are designed as

single-user systems, these systems are normally linked together to form a network. In terms of
power, now-a-days high-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing power and
graphics capability as low-en workstations by Sun Micro systems, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell.

2. MINICOMPUTER
- It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting
up to 250 users simultaneously.
- are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are
also called as “Mid range Computers”.

 Known as the mid-range server

 Medium sized multiprocessing and multi-user computer
 Used by small sized companies

Advantage
 Cater to multiple users
 Lower costs than mainframes

Disadvantage
 Large
 Bulky

Types of Mini - Computer

 Industrial Computers

Business and Companies

3. MAINFRAME
Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive
computer capable of supporting hundreds or even
thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe executes
many programs concurrently and supports many
simultaneous executions of programs. The Mainframe
computers can be accommodated in large air-conditioned
rooms because of its size. Many large firms and
government organizations uses Mainframes to run their
business operations.

 Known as enterprise servers

 Occupies entire rooms or floors
 Used for Centralized Computing
 Serve distributed users and small servers in a computing network
Advantage
 Supports many users and Instructions
 Large memory

Disadvantage
 Huge size
 Expensive

Application Mainframe Computers

 Government Department
 Airline Industry
 Commerce (Banks)

4. SUPERCOMPUTER

Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers

currently available. Supercomputers are very expensive
and are employed for specialized applications that
require immense amount of mathematical calculations
(number crunching). It is the most powerful computers
in terms of performance and data processing. For
example, weather forecasting, scientific simulations,
(animated) graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear
energy research, electronic design, and analysis of
geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).

Fastest and Expensive

 Used by applications for molecular chemistry, nuclear research, weather reports, and advanced physics
 Consists of several computers that work in parallel as a single system.

Advantage
 Speed

Disadvantage
 Generate a large amount of heat during operation
Types of Super Computer

Tianhe - 2
Tianhe-2 or TH-2 is a 33.86-petaflops supercomputer located in the National Supercomputer Center in
Guangzhou, China. It was developed by a team of 1,300 scientists and engineers.

IBM Road Runner

The ability to operate at a rate of a thousand trillion floating point operations per second (FLOPS), which is
a crucial measure of computing power and speed.

E. EXERCISES
Exercise 3. Differentiate the types of computer you have learned today.

1 2

3 4
F. ASSESSMENT / REFLECTION
Assessment 3: Identify the term being described in the following. Write your answer in
uppercase format. (2pts. each)

1. It is the fastest growing computers.

2. It is used by many large firms and government organizations to run

their business operations.

3. This is a type of computer which is midsize multi-processing system capable

of supporting up to 250 users simultaneously.

4. It is the most powerful computers in terms of performance and

data processing.

5. This is a type of computer which requires a moderate amount

of computing power and relatively high-quality graphics capabilities.
G. FEEDBACK

H. REFERENCES / ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 Computer Fundamentals
https://www.tutorialspoint.com

 WATCH: Types of Computer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhosnB8Pw1I

 WATCH: Password 4: Chapter 2- Types of Computer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PesaNpwpEjk