Important Computer Awareness Materials (Day-21) – Types of Computers:
Dear Readers, IBPS Exams are approaching shortly, we all knew that Computer Awareness is one of the important section, which will help you to increase your score easily.
Many of our followers were asking us to provide Important Computer Awareness Notes along with the model questions, here we have planned to provide the Topic wise Important Computer Awareness Materials on Daily basis, and also we will provide MCQs based on these topics daily. Kindly follow us regularly and make use of it.
Types of Computers
Five Types:
- Personal Computer
- Mini Computer
- Mainframes
- Super Computer
- Micro computer
- 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.
- Mini Computer:
It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting up to 250 users simultaneously.
These were designed for specific tasks but have now lost popularity due to the advent of Pcs.
Popular Minicomputers:
- K-202
- Texas Instrument TI-990
- SDS-92
- IBM Midrange computers
- Mainframes:
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.
Popular Mainframe computers:
- Fujitsu’s ICL VME
- Hitachi’s Z800
- Super computer:
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).
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).
Popular Supercomputers:
- IBM’s Sequoia, in United States
- Fujitsu’s K Computer in Japan
- IBM’s Mira in United States
- IBM’s Super MUC in Germany
- NUDT Tianhe-1A in China
- Microcomputer:
Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are all types of microcomputers. The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing computers. These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of computers. The Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education and work purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony & Toshiba.
Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation system of a car, Net books, Notebooks, PDA’s, Tablet PC’s, Smart phones, Calculators are all type of Microcomputers.
All types of computers follow the same basic logical structure and perform the following five basic operations for converting raw input data into information useful to their users.
Functions of Computer:
The computers are used today for an almost unlimited range of applications. However, irrespective of the application for which a computer is used we can identify a few basic functions that are performed by all computers. All the computer applications are make use of these basic function of computers in different ways and combinations.
There are basically for basic functions of computers – input, storage, processing and output. These are described below:
Input:
Receiving or accepting information from outside sources. The most common way of performing this function is through the information entered through the keyboard and the click of mouse. Of course there are many other type of devices for receiving such information – for example, the web cam. Computers are also able to receive information stored in other devices like DVD disks and pen drives. Computers are also able to receive information from other computers and similar devices. When we use computers for automatic control of machines and processes, computers are also receive information directly from such equipments and processes.
Storage:
Store information in the computer. The memory is stored in computer in in several different ways depending on how the information is used. For simplicity we will classify in two broad categories. First is the memory in the central processing unit of the computer, and second is the auxiliary memory. The auxiliary memory includes devices such as fixed hard drives. The information stored in computer can also be divided broadly used in two categories. The user data and the instructions used for internal operation and processing in the compute. These instruction are what we call computer programs or software.
Processing:
This is really the core of computer operation. The computer processes the data that is fed to the computer by various means and the data already contained in internal memory to produce the results that is the core of all computer application.
Output:
The results of the processing are made available for use by any user or other devices. The most common ways of producing such outputs are through computer monitor, speakers, and printers. When a computer is connected to other devices, including through Internet, this output is in the form of electrical pulses. The output data can also be recorded on to an external recording medium such as a DVD disk.
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