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Classification of Computer according to size

The different kinds of computers can be classified into five major types according to size where each of them transcends at definite functions.

1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframes
3. Mini computers
4. Servers
5. Micro/Personal Computers

In general, size of a computer determine its operating abilities. Larger computers have greater speeds and the smaller ones provide better experience for personal use.

1. Supercomputers

The first one that comes in this type of classification and arguably its the most powerful in the matter of speed and accuracy. They are the largest computers to have ever been built. These giants are capable of accomplishing trillions of instructions in a split second, calculated in FLOPS, Floating point Operations Per Second, which can go faster with the rate of PFLOPS, peta FLOPS, as it could bring the processing numbers up to quadrillions.

Supercomputer

Supercomputers became popular in the 60s with the help of Seymore Cray and soon became the favorite for complicated projects. These computers use multiple processors in a single system. Price of a super computer starts from $200,000 to over $100 million.

The Top Supercomputers Since 2008

2. Mainframes

Mainframes are computers large in size, equally as powerful as the supercomputers but lag behind in terms of the processing ability. They are like giant servers that allow multiple users to access the data all at the same time and can handle extensive amounts of data travelling in and out simultaneously. For this, they are widely used in businesses.

They also have the capability of operating for more than 10 years without failing.

These mainframes can be accessed by users through terminals or their personal computer which requires connection through WAN or Wide Area Network.

Price of a mainframe starts from $75,000 to around $1 million.

Mainframe

3. Minicomputers

Minicomputers are devices for general purposes without a larger system which gets rid of the monumental expenses that come along with it. Their capabilities lie between that of a mainframe system but above the power of a personal computer.

Minicomputer

Became popular in the 60s, minicomputers are also known as mid-range computers but due to the popularity of personal computers, they've almost become extinct.

The first of it was released by Digital Equipment Corporation in 1967 which was later succeeded by designs from IBM and other companies.

4. Servers

These types of computers are used to administer resources, services and functionalities to the computers connected to it, or in other words, client computers in a network. Based on the resources they store and their functions, servers fall into these categories:

• File Server
• Database Server
• FTP Server 
• Application Server
• Web Server

The size of a server will hinge on the tasks and purposes in the network i.e. larger and more multitasking installations will demand multiple system and storage installed.

Servers are capable of running 24 hours and their storage and other hardware can be swapped without having to shut down the system.

Disk drive in a server (Hot swap)

5. Micro/Personal Computers

These are these are the smallest, most affordable and widely used type of computers having a small memory, less processing and can execute fewer tasks at a time compared to supercomputers and mainframes. They are generally called personal computers or simply PC. 

Microcomputers became popular around the 70s, which was also when microprocessor chips started to be developed. They were cheaper alternative to the more expensive and centralized systems.

By the mid-90s, microcomputers became the choice for office and home use. In the last 25 years, the proliferation of even smaller systems have been seen. This indicated the beginning of mobile age. 

Categories of  personal computers:

• Desktop computers
• Desktop
• Laptop
• Mobile phone
• Wearables 

Desktop

Laptop

Mobile phone

Wearable