Today’s Goal

• To learn to classify computers according to

their capability and targeted applications

• To find out about the essential building

blocks that make up a modern computer
 Computer Types
• Super Computers
• Mainframes Computers
• Servers or Mini Computers
• Desktop Computers
• Portable Computers
 Super Computers

• State-of-the-art machines designed to perform

calculations as fast as the current technology
allows

• Supercomputers are ideal for handling large

and highly complex problems that require
extreme calculating power.
Super Computers
 Super Computers
• Used for weather prediction, Simulation of
atomic explosion, Movie animations and
aircraft design
• Costs tens of millions of dollars
• Designed to focus all the resources and
capabilities on single task at a time
• Early super computers used only single or few
processors
 Super Computers
• These processors were custom built that’s why
they were very expensive
• Modern Supercomputers use same processors
that are used n desktop PC’s.
 ASCI White
• Most powerful computer as of February 2002
• Capable of 12.3 trillions of calculations/sec
 74000 times faster than Cray 1
 1000 times faster than Deep Blue

• Designed for complex 3-D simulations

required for testing nuclear weapons
• 6 TB of memory; 160 TB of storage capacity
 Mainframe Computers
• Also called “Enterprise Servers”

• Designed for performing multiple, intensive tasks for

multiple users simultaneously

• Used by large businesses (e.g. banks, e-commerce

sites), military, and industrial organizations
• Can be serviced/upgraded while in operation

• Generally consist of multiple processors, GB’s of

memory, and TB’s of storage
Mainframe Computers
 Servers/Minicomputers
• The name minicomputers used to define the
class of computers that lies between personal
computers and mainframes
• Then very high-end desktop computers called
low-end or mid-range servers took over the
role that was previously played by
minicomputers
 Servers/Minicomputers
• Low-end and mid-range servers are used by
small businesses and organizations as file-
stores, to run e-mail systems and Web sites
• Generally are more reliable than desktops, but
not as solid as the mainframes
• Generally consist of 2 or more processors,
GB’s of memory, and TB’s of storage
• Costs in hundreds of thousands of dollars
 Servers
A server , or network server , is a central
computer that holds collections of data
(databases) and programs for connecting or
supplying services to PCs, workstations, and
other devices, which are called clients. These
clients are linked by a wired or wireless network.
The entire network is called a client/server
network.
 Desktop Computers
• Also called microcomputers
• Low-end desktops are called PC’s and high-
end ones “Workstations”
• Generally consist of a single processor only,
some times 2, along with MB’s of memory,
and GB’s of storage
• PC’s are used for running productivity
applications, Web surfing, messaging
 Desktop Computers
• Workstations for more demanding tasks like
low-end 3-D simulations and other
engineering & scientific apps
• Are not as reliable and fault-tolerant as
servers
• Workstations cost a few thousand dollars; PC
around a $1000
 Mobile Computers
• Laptops, palmtops, and wearable computers are very
capable computers but are light-weight and consume
very little power

• Laptops (also called notebook computers) generally

weigh around 2kg, use special low-power processors,
typically have 256MB memory, 40GB of storage, can
work for more than 2 hours on battery

• Their usage is similar to that of PCs

• They cost in the range of $1500-2500
 Mobile Computers
• Palmtops, also known as PDA’s - Personal Digital
Assistants
• Weigh less than a pound, have very low-power
processors, KB’s of memory, MB’s of storage capacity
• Can run for many hours on AA batteries
• Used as an electronic version of a pocket diary. Also
for Web surfing and e-mail or even as mobile
phones
• Palmtops cost $200-600
 Mobile Computers
• Wearable's are small in size, carried in a pocket,
worn on the arm, waist, or head or elsewhere on
the body
• Capability similar to PDA’s, but more expensive
• They are always ON, and always accessible. That
is, the user can always enter and execute
commands, even while walking around or doing
other activities
• Each soldier of the future will be fitted with one
 Ranking w.r.t. installed number
• PC’s
• PDA’s
• Workstations
• Servers
• Wearable's (will take the top spot in future)
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers