Although computers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, the basic components required to complete the information processing cycle must be present in them all. There are four basic types of computers: supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers:
Supercomputers are large, powerful computers typically devoted to specialized tasks. You might have heard of Big Blue, the IBM supercomputer that challenged chess players to chess matchesand beat them! Supercomputers are the fastest and most expensive of all computers. They perform sophisticated mathematical calculations, track weather patterns, monitor satellites, and perform other complex, dedicated tasks.
Mainframe computers are large computers often found in businesses and colleges, where thousands of people use the computer to process data. Mainframe computers multitask; that is, they can perform more than one task at the same time. This capability is one of the primary ways mainframes differ from supercomputers. Mainframes can store vast amounts of data using a variety of storage devices. Early mainframe computers were very large and required separate rooms to house them. Today's mainframe computers are significantly smaller.
Minicomputers may be used in medium-sized businesses that have smaller data storage requirements than businesses using mainframe computers. Because of the increased capabilities of microcomputers, minicomputers are less common now.
Microcomputers are the smallest of the four categories of computers and the one that most people typically use. Within the microcomputer category, computers range in size from servers that have the storage capability of minicomputers (and small mainframes) to handheld devices that fit in your pocket. Some of the most common types of microcomputers include the following:
Figure 1.2.
[Page 188 (continued)] Objective 3 Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses |
Windows XP
Outlook 2003
Internet Explorer
Computer Concepts
Word 2003
Chapter One. Creating Documents with Microsoft Word 2003
Chapter Two. Formatting and Organizing Text
Chapter Three. Using Graphics and Tables
Chapter Four. Using Special Document Formats, Columns, and Mail Merge
Excel 2003
Chapter One. Creating a Worksheet and Charting Data
Chapter Two. Designing Effective Worksheets
Chapter Three. Using Functions and Data Tables
Access 2003
Chapter One. Getting Started with Access Databases and Tables
Chapter Two. Sort, Filter, and Query a Database
Chapter Three. Forms and Reports
Powerpoint 2003
Chapter One. Getting Started with PowerPoint 2003
Chapter Two. Creating a Presentation
Chapter Three. Formatting a Presentation
Integrated Projects
Chapter One. Using Access Data with Other Office Applications
Chapter Two. Using Tables in Word and Excel
Chapter Three. Using Excel as a Data Source in a Mail Merge
Chapter Four. Linking Data in Office Documents
Chapter Five. Creating Presentation Content from Office Documents