grap 3175 computer applications for drafting unit iv computer classifications
TRANSCRIPT
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