Types of Computer

Mainframes are the biggest

• Mainframes are powerful- they can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
• 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 banks, insurance companies and e-commerce firms on the Internet

Minicomputers are in the middle

• Minicomputers are less powerful 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 systems in small businesses.

Microcomputers are the most common

• Microcomputers were used to stand alone, but…