TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Topic                          Categories                Subcategories

                                   

                                    PC                              general use by a single person; desktop,  

                                                                       permanent, laptop, portable,  powerful hard disk            

                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                   Workstation               used for 3D graphics, game development;    

                                                                      additional memory and enhanced capabilities

  

COMPUTERS          Server                        used to provide services to other computers;

                                                                      have powerful processors, lots of memory and

                                                                      large hard drives

                                  Main frame                 used in business; enables hundreds of people to   

                                                                      work together

                                  Super computer       used for jobs that take massive amounts of

                                                                     calculating; very powerful

     There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most of these words imply the size, expected use or capability of the computer. Most people think of a computer as a device that receives information from the user. Computers can be divided into five types according to the purpose they are used for and their capabilities.

     The most familiar type of computers is the personal computer (PC). It designed for general use by a single person. PCs were first known as microcomputers because they were a complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the huge systems. A PC can come in two types in appearance as well. Desktop and laptop. The former is not designed for portability. The expectation with desktop systems is that you will set the computer up in a permanent location. Most desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost than their portable ones. On the other hand, the laptops - also called notebooks - are portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing device, processor, memory and hard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover book.

     Another purpose for using a computers is as a workstation. The computers used for this purpose have a more powerful processor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development.  

     A computer can also be used as a server. For this, it needs to be optimized to provide services to other computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, lots of memory and large hard drives. 

     A fourth type, a main frame is the heart of a network of computers which allow hundreds of people to work at the same time on the same data. It is indispensable for the business world. 

     Sometimes, computers can be used for specialized fields as well. The supercomputer is the top in power and expense. It is used for jobs that take massive amounts of calculating, like weather forecasting, engineering design and testing, serious decryption, and economic forecasting.

     With the increasing demand in different specialties, new adjustments are being made and new types of computers that serve different purposes emerge. In this process, it would not possible to put a full stop here. What we suggest is that it is better to keep en eye on the development of science in this field and keep updating our knowledge in order not to be out-of-date like the computers of old times that were as big as a room. 

AYŞE BALIN