# facts | 10 types of computers

What only words are not used to describe computers. They are given various names depending on their size, form factor and technical characteristics. Sometimes some types of computers do not even call this word, although, for example, the same tablets are computers. Most users consider a computer device equipped with a microprocessor, using the mouse and keyboard and screen for output to enter information.

Of course, everything that you find below is more or less familiar to every modern person. But we have a goal to create a brief classification of computers, including some little-known facts. Previously, the classification of computers was compiled by the resource HowStuffWorks, but it did not contain some new categories of computers that were widely used only recently.

1. Personal computer (PC, PC)

Personal computer is designed for use by one person. Often, PCs are only called machines running Windows family of operating systems, highlighting Macs in a separate category. But in fact, Apple's computers are personal. When such devices first appeared, they were called microcomputers, since they were inferior in dimensions to a large computer common at that time.

2. Desktop Computer (Desktop)

A computer that is not designed to carry it with you is called a desktop computer. A desktop computer usually costs less than a portable one with comparable drive capacity and volume. In addition, desktop computers to a greater extent than their more compact counterparts, are subject to modernization (upgrade).

3. Laptop (Notebook)

Laptops are portable computers. They have an integrated display, trackball, processor, memory and hard disk, as well as a rechargeable battery. They are slightly larger than a large hardcover book.

4. Tablet (Tablet Computer)

Tablet computers are usually deprived of the keyboard. They are similar in height and width to a small book, and are usually thinner than a printed volume. Enter information by using the touch screen. However, many tablets allow you to connect traditional input devices, including the keyboard. Moreover, special keyboards are available for tablet computers. Component base tablets are less productive than laptops.

5. Smartphone (Smartphone)

Handheld computer with telephone function. It is considered as a phone rather than as a computer, although in fact it continues the traditions of PDA. Usually they do not have a physical keyboard, although there are exceptions.

6. Workstation

Typically, desktop computers with a powerful processor, more than the average amount of RAM, are called this. Workstations are distinguished by an increased ability to solve a specific group of tasks. The workstation can be focused on developing games or working with 3D graphics.

7. Server

A computer that is optimized to provide services to other computers on the network. Usually servers are characterized by a powerful processor, large amounts of RAM, and a huge array of hard drives.

8. Mainframe (Mainframe)

At the dawn of the computer age, mainframes were truly gigantic computers capable of occupying an entire room or even an entire floor. Over the years, the size of computers has decreased, and their productivity has grown. Therefore, the term “mainframe” has gone out of use and has given way to another name “enterprise server”. However, in the English-speaking environment, this term is sometimes used according to the old habit, and here we are talking about supercomputers.

9. Supercomputer (Supercomputer)

One computer of this type can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Some supercomputers are a single system, but most of them are arrays from a variety of high-performance computers operating in parallel within a single system.

10. Put on computers (Wearable Computer)

This is the latest trend in the field of computing technology. The main computer functions are integrated into clothes and accessories: watches, glasses, caps and even clothes. Just recently, two models of smart watches were presented: this is Galaxy Gear from the South Korean technogiant Samsung and SmartWatch 2 from the Japanese company Sony.

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/computers/fakty-10-tipov-kompyuterov.html.