GRAP 3175Computer Applications for

Drafting

Unit IV

Computer Classifications

Criteria for Classifying Computers

• Architecture– Design of the internal circuitry

• Processing Speed– MIPS / BIPS

• Number of Users

• Cost

Classifications

• Supercomputers

• Mainframe computers

• Minicomputers

• Workstations

• Microcomputers (PCs)

Supercomputers

• Fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computers

• National security concerns

• Climate controlled computer rooms

• Main memory -- Gigabytes

• BIPS

• CRAY, NEC, etc.

Supercomputers

• Several thousand users

• CPU time

• GigaFLOPs

Mainframes

• Climate controlled computer rooms

• MIPS

• IBM

• 1000+ users

Minicomputers

• Do not need climate control

• 100+ users

• DEC, PRIME, etc.

Workstations

• “Souped-up” PCs

Personal Computers (PC)

• 1 user

• Do not need climate control

• Wintel PCs

• Versatile

Why Personal Computers are Popular

• Increased productivity

• Problem-solving abilities

• Usefulness to a variety of people for a variety of tasks

• Inexpensiveness

• Availability of easy-to-use software

Benchmarks in the PC Industry

• Intel 4004 microprocessor 1971 -- 4-bit• Altair 8800 -- 1975 -- kit /w 1k of memory• Apple II, Commodore, Atari, TRS-80 Model I

-- 1977• IBM PC -- 1981 -- 16-bit• IBM compatibles -- 1985-6

– Tandy, Epson, Compaq, Zenith, etc.

• Apple Macintosh -- 1984

Benchmarks in the PC Industry

• Compaq Deskpro -- 1986 -- 32-bit Intel 80386

• NeXT -- 1988 -- 32-bit Motorola 68030

• Intel 80486 -- 1989

• Intel Pentium -- 1993

• Apple Power PC

• Pentium II

• Apple G3

Benchmarks in the PC Industry

• Intel Pentium III

• Apple G4

Microprocessors

• Intel -- IBM, compatibles

• Motorola -- Macintosh, NeXT, Amiga, Tectronics

• Zilog -- TRS-80 Model 4

• MOS Technology -- Apple II and IIc

Conventional PCs

• Towers / Desktops

• Laptops / Notebooks– portable vs. transportable– docking station

• Pocket PC

Extended PC Family

• Slate Computers

• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)– Palm

• Wearable PC

• Wristwatch computer

Issue of Compatibility

• ROM-BIOS

• Methods to obtain compatibility– Emulation Software– Second microprocessor board– Networks– Industry standards