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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:

1. What are the four classes of general-purpose computers?
2. What are microcomputers?
3. What are minicomputers intended for?
4. What are mainframe computers and where are they used?
5. What are supercomputers designed for?
6. what are the functions of a modern microcomputer?

Social Work

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