10 TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Introduction To Computers – Technology Applications

There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most of these words imply the
size, expected use or capability of the computer. While the term computer can
apply to almost any device that has a microprocessor in it, most people think of a
computer as a device that receives input from the user through a mouse or
keyboard, processes it in some fashion and
displays the result on a screen. Do you know the different types of computers?PC
Apple iPad Air
A single person defines the personal computer, or PC,as any
computer designed for general use by one person. While a Mac is a
PC,most people relate the term with computers that run the Windows
operating system. PCs were first known as microcomputers because they were a
complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the huge systems in use by
most businesses. Personal computers come in many forms, including the new
Apple iPad.

DESKTOP
A PC that is not designed for portability is a desktop computer. The expectation
with desktop systems is that you will set the computer up in a permanent
location, like a desk or table. Most desktops offer more power, storage
and versatility for less cost than their portable brethren.

LAPTOP
Also called notebooks, laptops are portable computers that mix 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.

TABLET COMPUTERS
TabletComputers are ultra-portable computers that are even smaller
than traditional laptops. Their low cost means they are cheaper than almost any
brand-new laptop you will find at retail outlets. However, the internal components
are less powerful than those in regular laptops. Recent improvements to tablet
computers have allowed users to view HD video, get high quality sound,
great photo capabilities, and the ability to share information, photos, and
videos with anyone.

SMARTPHONES
Smartphones are handheld-sized computers that often use flash memory instead of
a hard drive for storage. These devices usually do not have keyboards but rely on
touchscreen technology for user input.
Smartphones are typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with
a reasonable battery life. Smartphones have the same capabilities as
tablet computers, but also allow users to text or make phone calls.

WORKSTATION
Another 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. They may even use multiple
screens to enhance their viewing.

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. Servers allow many computers To share a printer or other devices
without the cost of having to buy one for every computer. Servers also allow
users to share information and files with each other.

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 will still hear the term used,
particularly in large companies to describe the huge machines processing millions
of transactions every day. Mainframes store vast amounts of information.

SUPERCOMPUTER
This type of computer usually costs hundreds of thousands or even millions of
dollars. Although some supercomputers are single computer systems, most are
composed of multiple high-performance computers working in parallel as a
single system. Supercomputers are the fastest, most powerful, most expensive
computers made today. The best-known supercomputers are built by Cray
Supercomputers. Many of today’s great movies use supercomputers for their CGI.
They can perform over a trillion calculations per second.

WEARABLE COMPUTERS
The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially, common
computer applications (e-mail, database, multimedia, calendar/scheduler) are
integrated into watches, cellphones, visors and even clothing. Users can use
these devices for health and fitness, navigation, social networking, and gaming.
Google can now augment a person’s vision through special computer
glasses. The glasses can
stream information to the lenses and allow the wearer to send and
receive messages through voice commands. There is also a built-in camera to
record video and take pictures.

Types of computer software

1. System software
If you think of software as being in layers, the system software is the bottom layer:
it sits between the hardware and the application software.
Operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android and iOS are examples of
system software. Operating systems are loaded into RAM when the device starts
up and have access to the hard drive.

2. Utility software
Utility software is part of the system software and performs specific tasks to keep
the computer running. Utility software is always running in the background.
Examples of utility software are security and optimization programs.
Security programs include anti-virus software that scans and removes viruses.
Most computers will include some sort of anti-virus software, but you can add your
own.
Optimization programs can include tools for system clean-up, disk
defragmentation, and file compression. These tools are typically installed as part of
the operating system. They have access to the hard drive to keep it tidy.
3. Application software
This is everything else! Anything that is not an operating system, or a utility is an
application or app. So a word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, and graphics
software are all examples of application software, and they can do many specific
tasks.
You can remove and add applications on your computer using the operating
system.
Application software like a word processor regularly directs the operating system
to load and save files from and to the hard drive. When you are working on a file,
it is saved temporarily in the RAM. It is only when you choose to save it that it is
written to the hard drive.
Therefore, if the computer crashes while you’re working on a file, you may lose
any changes you didn’t save. Data stored in the RAM is volatile. The data is lost
when the RAM loses power.
The operating system
Application software also uses the operating system to talk to the hardware on the
computer and to other software. When a web browser wants to load a web page, it
is the operating system that controls access to the internet and fetches the
information from the web.
Similarly, the operating system also provides the application software information
about what key is being pressed, and about the mouse: where it is, what it clicked,
and where it’s moving on screen.
Application software relies heavily on the operating system to do these tasks and
send it all this information.

What is a Computer Network?

Before moving forward with the article and learning more about the types of
computer networks, it is important for candidates to understand what a network is
and how it affects the functioning of one or more computers connected with each
other.
Definition – A group of computers which are connected to each other and follow
similar usage protocols for the purpose of sharing information and having
communications provided by the networking nodes is called a Computer Network.
A network may be small where it may include just one system or maybe as large as
what one may want. The nodes may further be classified into various types. These
include:

 Personal Computers
 Servers
 Networking Hardware
 General Hosts
Networking can be classified into three types:

1. Types of Computer Networks

2. Topology
3. Interpreters

We shall discuss all three in detail further below in this article.

Types of Computer Networks
There are five main types of Computer Networks:

1. LAN (Local Area Network) –

o Systems connected in a small network like in a building or a small

office
o It is inexpensive
o It uses Ethernet or Token-ring technology
o Two or more personal computers can be connected through wires or
cables acting as nodes
o Transfer of data is fast and is highly score
2. PAN (Personal Area Network) –
o The smallest computer networks
o Devices may be connected through Bluetooth or other infra-red
enables devices
o It has a connectivity range of up to 10 meters
o It covers an area of up to 30 feet
o Personal devices belonging to a single person can be connected to
each other using PAN
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) –
o A network that can be connected within a city, for example, cable TV
Connection
o It can be in the form of Ethernet, ATM, Token-ring and FDDI
o It has a higher range
o This type of network can be used to connect citizens with the various
Organizations
4. WAN (Wide Area Network) –
o A network which covers over a country or a larger range of people
o Telephonic lines are also connected through WAN
o Internet is the biggest WAN in the world
o Mostly used by Government Organizations to manage data and
information
5. VPN (Virtual Private Network): –
 o A network which is constructed by using public wires to connect to a
private network
o There are a number of systems which enable you to create networks
using the Internet as a medium for transporting data
o These systems use encryptions and other security mechanisms to
ensure only authorized users can access

DIFFERENCE O FRAM AND ROM

The difference between RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only
Memory) is explained here in detail. RAM is a form of computer memory that can
be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine
code.
ROM is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic
devices. The difference between RAM vs ROM will help in understanding the
basics better and know their comparisons thoroughly.
Difference between RAM and ROM

The major differences between RAM and ROM are:

RAM ROM

Definition of Definition of ROM is

RAM is Random Read-only Memory
Access Memory

Random Access ROM is cheaper when

Memory (RAM) is compared to RAM.
expensive when
compared to ROM

The speed of The speed of Read-only

Random-Access Memory (ROM) is
Memory (RAM) is slower when compared
higher when to RAM.
compared to ROM

Random Access ROM has a lower

Memory (RAM) capacity compared to
 has a higher RAM
capacity when
compared to ROM

Data in RAM can Data in ROM can only

be modified, be read, it cannot be
erased, or read. modified or erased.

The data stored in The data stored in ROM

RAM is used by is used to bootstrap the
the Central computer.
Processing Unit
(CPU) to process
current
instructions

Data stored on If the Central

RAM can be Processing Unit (CPU)
accessed by the needs to access the data
Central Processing on ROM, first the data
Unit. must be transferred to
RAM, and then the
Central Processing Unit
(CPU) will be able to
access the data.

Data of RAM is Data present in Read-

very volatile, it Only Memory (ROM)
will exist as long is not volatile, it is
as there is no permanent. Data will
interruption in remain unchanged even
power. when there is a
disruption in the power
supply.
These are the main differences between RAM and ROM. The differences given in
the above table can help the UPSC Civil Service Exam aspirants to answer any
related questions easily in the exams.
After learning about the RAM and ROM difference, visit the below-given links to
know the details of the National Cyber Security Policy, Cybercrime,
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Weekly Current Affairs Quiz.
Difference between RAM and ROM What are the types of ROM (Read Only
Memory)?
ROM is classified into 4 types: MROM (Masked read-only memory), PROM
(Programmable read-only memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable read only
memory), and EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read only memory).

What are the types of RAMS (Random Access Memory)?

There are two types of RAMS – Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM
(DRAM).

What is ROM used for?

ROM provides the necessary instructions for communication between various
hardware components. As mentioned before, it is essential for the storage and
operation of the BIOS, but it can also be used for basic data management, to hold
software for basic processes of utilities and to read and write to peripheral devices.

Where is RAM stored?

The storage space for RAM is easily identifiable and almost exclusively located in
the upper right corner of any consumer level motherboard. These slots are long
slender grooves with the width of only a few millimeters.

What is stored in ROM??

ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its
memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the
instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again.