On the basis of kind of data processed, processing capabilities and kind of operations, computers are mainly of two types, i.e., Analog Computer and Digital Computer.
Computers that measure changing conditions like temperature, pressure etc. and convert the numerical into quantities within a range are called Analog Computer, whereas those manipulate digital dates are called Digital computers.
A digital computer can give precise and measurable results. Analog Computers are employed for specific scientific/ technological operations while the digital computers applications are universal, i.e., from science to business to administration and others. For that reasons, these are very popular now-a-days. Microcomputers are called Hybrid Computers, which have digital storage and switching but calculations are done in an analog fashion.
Again, basing on processing power and internal memory, the following kinds of computers are found.
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1. Micro-computers
2. Mini-computers
3. Mainframes
4. Super computers
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1. Micro computers
A micro computer contains Micro processor, a CPU on a single silicon chip i.e., 8088, 8086 etc. It has limited internal memory and is relatively slow. Its rate of acceptance and transfer of data is a maximum of 5 lake bytes/second. It is small, portable, inexpensive occupies less space and consumes very less power. Personal Computers (PC) are the best example of this kind.
2. Mini computers
A mini computer is bigger than a micro-computer and smaller than a mainframe. It has a medium speed processor; more internal memory capacity compared to micros and can support all high level languages. It can perform most tasks that a mainframe can do.
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3. Mainframes
These are huge machines with high speed configured with host processor and subordinate processors. They have large internal storage capacity i.e., about 10 mega words and support greater than 200 remote terminals. They are able to accept any high level language. But their main drawbacks are, very high cost, requirement of large space, very high electricity consumption, and high cost of maintenance. Their main uses are at government offices and research institutions.
4. Super computers
Supercomputers are more powerful than mainframes and can process several hundreds or even thousands million instructions per second. They are designed for high precision based application and have vast processing power applied in a narrow range. They are mostly used in research centers, complicated military and scientific jobs such as weather forecasting, cracking of enemy codes, predicting how a nuclear bomb will explode and designing missiles and jet fighters.