Microcomputers

Microcomputers form the most common of the four classes of general–purpose computers; the other three classes are minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers. Microcomputers, besides relying on a microprocessor, are the smallest and are generally designed for a single user. Minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers all use processors built from a large number of components. Minicomputers, larger than microcomputers (up to the size of a refrigerator) are generally intended for small – to medium-sized groups of users in businesses and other organizations; their processing abilities are more robust than those of microcomputers. Mainframe computers can take up a whole room and can handle the needs of many simultaneous users while processing large volumes of data; they are most often used in large organizations and institutions. Supercomputers, the most sophisticated computers, are designed for extremely high-speed processing of huge amounts of data, often using multiple processors working together. They are most often used for performing complex computations by the government, research organizations, and large industrial groups.

Fifteen or twenty years ago most books on computers described mainframes, because mainframes were the most common. Today, though, you are more likely to use a microcomputer. The first micros were sold to computer hobbyists in 1975. In 1977, Apple entered the market with the Apple II, and in 1981 IBM joined the race. Apple released the Macintosh, the cornerstone of its current computer line, in 1984. During the 1980s, literally hundreds of manufacturers began making microcomputers. The competition kept prices down, and millions of people and businesses bought micros.

As the microcomputer industry grew, computer makers constantly tried to lure new customers with more powerful machines. The typical microcomputer sold today can work with more than 200 times as much data as the first IBM PC, and it can work with that data at least 200 times as fast. In fact, many of today's laptop and desktop microcomputers are more powerful than the minis and mainframes that dominated the market only fifteen or twenty years ago.

The power of the modern microcomputer enables it to be used for all kinds of tasks. You can use it to write papers, perform mathematical computations and analyses, and conduct research. At home you can use the same computer to communicate with friends, play games, buy airline tickets, and keep track of finances. The same computer can be used again at work for correspondence, financial analysis, compiling and analyzing data, communicating with clients, and a thousand other tasks.

Answer the questions:

What are the four classes of general-purpose computers?
What are microcomputers?
What are minicomputers intended for?
What are mainframe computers and where are they used?
What are supercomputers designed for?
what are the functions of a modern microcomputer?

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