Categories Of Computers

1. Personal Computers (PC)

The Personal Computers is defined as a computer designed for general use by
a single person. While a Mac is a PC, most people relate the term with systems
that run the Windows operating system. PCs were first known microcomputers
because they were a complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the
huge systems in use by most businesses.

2. Desktop
A PC that is not designed for portability is a desktop computer. The
expectation with desktop systems are 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 brethren.

3. Laptop
Also called notebooks, laptops are portable computers that integrate the
display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor, memory and hard
drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average
hardcover book.

4. PDA
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are tightly integrated computers that often
use flash memory instead of a hard drive for storage. These computers usually
do not have keyboards but rely on touchscreen technology for user input.
PDAs are typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with a
reasonable battery life. A slightly larger and heavier version of the PDA is the
handheld computer.





5. Workstation
The fifth type of computer is a workstation. A workstation is simply a desktop
computer that has a more powerful processor, additional memory and
enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D
Graphics or game development.

6. Server
A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other computers
over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, lots of memory and
large hard drives. The next type of computer can fill an entire room.

7. Mainframe
In the early days of computing, mainframes were huge computers that could
fill an entire room or even a whole floor! As the size of computers has
diminished while the power has increased, the term mainframe has fallen out
of use in favor of enterprise server. You'll still hear the term used, particularly
in large companies to describe the huge machines processing millions of
transactions every day.

8. Minicomputer
Another term rarely used anymore, minicomputers fall in between
microcomputers (PCs) and mainframes (enterprise servers). Minicomputers
are normally referred to as mid-range servers now.

9. Supercomputer
This type of computer usually costs hundreds of thousands or even millions of
dollars. Although some supercomputers are single computer systems, most
are comprised of multiple high performance computers working in parallel as a
single system. The best known supercomputers are built by Cray
Supercomputers.




10. Wearable computers
The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially, common
computer applications (e-mail, database, multimedia, calendar /scheduler)
are integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even
Clothing For more information see these
articles on computer clothing, smart watches
and fabric PCs.






















Advantages of Computers

Disadvantages of using computer Some of the disadvantages of using computers is
that it takes one away fromsocializing with others in person.Another disadvantage is
that you do not see the other person you might be chattingwith on IM.Spending too
much time playing online games or chatting instead of reading books,taking walks,
and doing homework.Advantages of using computersFor writing:

Quick entry

Easy to edit and restructure

Many tools to produce various kinds of output (html, text, books, pdf documents, etc.)

Storage is inexpensive and doesn't take up much space

Easy to search/navigate through documentsFor organization

Many different kinds of tools from Palm software to Franklin Covey, to GTD based
on David Allen's system, to flat text files ala todo.txt(http://www.todotxt.com) by
Gina Trapani.

Once a document is in electronic form it is easy to store and many, manydocuments
can be stored on one computer in much less space than in a filecabinet.

Easy to searchFor programming

Most programming requires the use of computers

There are many, many tools available to programmers such as:
o
Editors: CodeWrite, SlickEdit, VIM, EMACS, Notepad, BBEdit...
o
Compilers: MSVC, Sun javac, GNU Compiler Collection (java,fortran, C, C++, and
more), Intel C Compiler...
o
Assemblers: NASM, MASM, TASM...
o
Interpreters: Ruby, Python, Lisp, Perl, bash, and countless others
o
GUI Builders: Glade, QT Designer, MSVC, ...
o
Code browsers (many use output from etags or ctags, MS has their own)
o
Simulators, Emulators


Using a computer makes it easy to search code and tools make it easier tounderstand it

Easily gather programs from other creators

Easily distribute your own worksFor research

Access to the Internet has become invaluable as a research tool

Easily gather huge amounts of information and store/catalog it

Easily search for new information or search the information already acquired

Interact with other researchers to create/gather more research

Almost instant access to many remote or obscure locations of the globe andtheir
researchers/experiences/knowledge

Easily disseminate results of your own researchComputers are not a panacea. There
are many things for which a computer does notadd significant advantages. But, used
in an appropriate and realistic way, computerscan enhance and facilitate certain
activities













References
1. http://argallant.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/
cl3-notes.pdf
2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/20531664/Advan
tages-and-Disadvantages-of-Using-Computer
3. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED492159.pdf
4. http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~fgandon/lecture/uk1
999/computers_types/
5.