Classifications of Computer by Size 1.

Microcomputers (Personal computers) - Microcomputers are the most common type of computers in existence today, whether at work in school or on the desk at home. The term "microcomputer" was introduced with the advent of single chip microprocessors. These computers include: * Desktop computers - a personal computer (PC) in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. * Laptop and notebook computers is a personal computer designed for mobile use and small and light enough to sit on a person's lap while in use. * Tablet PC - sometimes called a Slate or a Blade is a laptop PC , is equipped with a stylus and or a touchscreen. * Palmtop computers - A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer, is a mobile device which functions as a personal information manager and has the ability to connect to the internet. * Programmable calculators - are calculators capable of being programmed much like a computer. 2. Minicomputers (Midrange computers) - A minicomputer is a class of multi-user computers that lies in the middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the largest multi-user systems (mainframe computers) and the smallest single-user systems (microcomputers or personal computers). The contemporary term for this class of system is midrange computer, such as the higher-end SPARC, POWER and Itanium -based systems from Sun Microsystems, IBM and Hewlett-Packard. 3. Mainframe Computers - The term mainframe computer was created to distinguish the traditional, large, institutional computer intended to service multiple users from the smaller, single user machines. These computers are capable of handling and processing very large amounts of data quickly. Mainframe computers are used in large institutions such as government, banks and large corporations. These institutions were early adopters of computer use, long before personal computers were available to individuals. "Mainframe" often refers to computers compatible with the computer architectures established in the 1960s. 4. Supercomputer - A supercomputer is focused on performing tasks involving intense numerical calculations such as weather forecasting, fluid dynamics, nuclear simulations, theoretical astrophysics, and complex scientific computations. A supercomputer is a computer that is at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation. Supercomputers are very expensive and not costeffective just to perform batch or transaction processing. Transaction processing is handled by less powerful computer such as server computer or mainframe.

Classifications of Computer by function 1. Servers - Server usually refers to a computer that is dedicated to providing a service. For example, a computer dedicated to a database may be called a "database server". "File servers" manage a large collection of computer files. "Web servers" process web pages and web applications. 2. Workstation - Workstations are computers that are intended to serve one user and may contain special hardware enhancements not found on a personal computer.

3. Embedded computers - Embedded computers are computers that are a part of a machine or device. Embedded computers generally execute a program that is stored in non-volatile memory and is only intended to operate a specific machine or device. An automobile may contain a number of embedded computers; however, a washing machine and a DVD player would contain only one.