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
