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There are three main types of computer. They are :
Microcomputers (also known as PCs) are the smallest and cheapest of these and are used at home, in schools and in some businesses. Most PCs contain just one microprocessor.
Mainframe computers are the most powerful computers. A mainframe computer may contain several microprocessors. Computers which contain more than one processor are capable of doing more than one thing at a time and are described as being capable of parallel processing. A single mainframe computer can be used by hundreds of people at once. Each user has his own terminal that is connected to the mainframe. Mainframe computers are usually kept in a special cooled, clean computer room. Today many businesses are getting rid of their mainframe computers and replacing them with networks of smaller microcomputers.
Minicomputers were medium-sized computers that were more powerful than microcomputers but not as powerful as mainframes. Minicomputers where phased out in the 1990s as microcomputers became more powerful.
This table makes some comparisons between the different types of computer :
| Comparisons of Computer Types | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comparison | Microcomputer | Minicomputer | Mainframe
| Where Used
| Home, small business, on a network in a larger business.
| Medium sized business. e.g. supermarket, traffic control system.
| Large businesses, universities.
| Number of Users
| 1
| 1-20
| Hundreds
| Cost
| £200 - £10,000
| Not Available
| £150,000+
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A Supercomputer is a very fast mainframe which may contain many hundreds of microprocessors.
GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004