Types of Computer

Mainframes are the Biggest:

• Mainframes are very powerful- they can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second (MIPS)
• They're very large, and generate a lot of heat- so they need big air conditioned rooms
• They're very expensive- typically costing around £3-4 million
• They are used to run large computer systems and networks in bank, insurance companies and e-commerce firms on the Internet

Minicomputers are in the middle

• Minicomputers are less powerfuk than mainframes but are more powerful than micros
• As a result, they cost less than mainframes- but still require a special operating environment
• They are typically used to run medium-sized sysmtes in small businesses

Microcomputers are the most common

• Microcomputers were designed to stand alone, but are…