We have all been using a computer machine for operating and running different tasks. Some computers were used to run a specific task while some are used for a general operation. We used to wear some of these computers on our bodies to be inform on what is happening inside our body system, some we used them in our homes and at our offices for running the daily tasks, some are part of a complex device embedded to be used in harsh or extreme conditions, and some of the computers are used for running complex scientific and engineering research. All of these computers came with different physical sizes and processing power.
Under this article, we’re going to read about the different classification of computers, with each one, we’ll also study their features and how they operate on data been fetch to them.
Grab your cup of coffee and enjoy the reading!
1 – DESKTOP COMPUTER
A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or near a desk or table due to its size and power requirements. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard (a printed circuit board with a microprocessor as the central processing unit (CPU), memory, bus); disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives, solid state drives, optical disc drives, and other electronic components). External to the case are a keyboard, mouse, a computer monitor or another display, speakers, and, often, a printer for output. The case can be in horizontal or vertical orientation and placed either underneath, beside, or on top of a desk.
A set of Personal Desktop Computer
IBM was the first Computer to introduce and popularize used of Desktop. Introduction of Desktops popularized use of Computers among common people as it was compact and affordable. Riding on the wave of Desktop’s popularity, many software and hardware devices were developed specifically for the office or home used.
Though, some recent desktop computers are bundled into a single unit that comprises all the internal components of the computer and the monitor together as one, commonly called all-in-one.
All-in-one, such as Apple desktop computers came with the internal components built into the monitor, which eliminates the need for a separate case. This component on the computer case, looks very different in desktops and laptops, but it works the same.
2 – LAPTOP COMPUTER
A laptop (also known as laptop computer), is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a "clamshell" form factor, typically having a thin LCD or LED computer screen mounted on the inside of the upper lid of the clamshell and an alphanumeric keyboard on the inside of the lower lid. The clamshell is opened up to use the computer. Laptops are folded shut for transportation, and thus are suitable for mobile use. Its name comes from lap, as it was deemed to be placed on a person's lap when being used. Although originally there was a distinction between laptops and notebooks (the former being bigger and heavier than the latter), as of 2014, there is often no longer any difference. Today, laptops are commonly used in a variety of settings, such as at work, in education, for playing games, web browsing, for personal multimedia, and general home computer usage.
Laptops combine all the input/output components and capabilities of a desktop computer, including the display screen, small speakers, a keyboard, data storage device, sometimes an optical disc drive, pointing devices (such as a touchpad or trackpad), with an operating system, a processor and memory into a single unit. Most recent laptops feature integrated webcams and built-in microphones, while many also have touchscreens. Laptops can be powered either from an internal battery or by an external power supply from an AC adapter.
The first laptop-sized notebook computer was the Epson HX-20, invented (patented) by Suwa Seikosha's Yukio Yokozawa in July 1980, introduced at the COMDEX computer show in Las Vegas by Japanese company Seiko Epson in 1981, and released in July 1982.
However, we are already aware for some of the advantages a Laptops have over Desktop computers due to our day-to-day usage of it. Also, a Desktop computers have featured some qualities over a laptop computer. Below are some of the pros and cons of a laptop over desktop computers:
Advantages of Laptops Over Desktop
- Portability: Physical portability allows a laptop to be used in many places - not only at home and at the office, but also during commuting and flights, in coffee shops, in lecture halls and libraries, at clients' locations or at a meeting room, etc.
- Size: Laptops are much smaller in physical size than desktop PCs.
- Laptop computers consume less power
- Laptops are typically much quieter than desktop computers
- A charged laptop can continue to be used in case of a power outage, since the battery in it is used to store electric charge.
Disadvantages of Laptops Over Desktop
- Laptops processor has a low performance in executing high-end task compared to Desktop’s processor.
- Upgradeability of laptops is very limited compared to desktops.
- Ergonomics and health effects: Prolonged use of laptops can cause repetitive strain injury on a wrists, neck or spinal injuries, and skin discoloration on the thighs.
- Laptops are less durable than the desktops
- Equipment wear out: laptops are subject to more wear and physical damage than desktops.
- Security and privacy: Because they are valuable, commonly used, portable, and easy to hide in a backpack or other type of travel bag, laptops are often easy to steal.
3 - EMBEDDED COMPUTERS
Embedded computers are purpose-built computing platforms, designed for a specific, software-controlled task. These are not the typical Laptop or desktop consumer-grade computers we are used to work with at home or at the office. Typically, embedded computers are hardened devices as their use cases tend to be mostly in challenging harsh environment conditions, such as extreme temperature, vibration, shock, dust, and humidity.
Embedded computers have all of its components burned-in in a single Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or Motherboard, while general-purpose computers come with traditional motherboards, which allow for expanding or replacement of its components. Embedded computers are everywhere, they are in phones, microwaves, airplanes, automobiles, calculators etc.
Embedded computers work by recieving electronic data, this can be input via a sensor or user interface. The information is then computed by the microprocessor. Finally, depending on the physical system that contains the embedded computer, the computer interacts with the mechanical components of the system.
Lanner’s V6S Embedded Computer, it can be installed in vehicles. It is used to record and analyze the video in digital format and send it over to the base station.
There are various categories of embedded computers, from Real-time embedded Computers to network embedded Computers, mobile embedded Computers, rugged embedded Computers, vehicle computers, and IoT gateways. Applications of embedded computers also range from security and surveillance, machine vision, digital signage, factory automation, to transportation, and more.
4 - TABLET/SMARTPHONE
Laptop computer gave rise to the development of a miniaturized machines that have processing power similar to that of a desktop computer, but are small enough to be held in one’s hand called Tablet/Smartphone. Tablets/Smartphone have touch sensitive screen of typically 4 to 11 inches where one finger is used to touch icons and launch applications.
Iphone & Ipad Smartphone and Tablet.
Keyboard is also displayed virtually whenever required and used with touch strokes. Applications that run on Tablets/Smartphones are called apps. These devices use operating systems by Microsoft (Windows 8 and later versions) or Google (Android). Apple computers also have developed their own tablet/smartphone called iPad or iPhone which uses a proprietary operating system called iOS.
5 - SERVER COMPUTER/MACHINE
A server is a computer or system that provides resources, data, services, or programs to other computers, known as clients, over a network. They are called that because they serve another computer(s), device(s), or program(s) called “clients” to which they provide functionality. In theory, whenever a computer shares resources with client machines, they are considered servers.
However, servers are often referred to as dedicated because they carry out hardly any other tasks apart from their server tasks. The purpose of a server is to manage network resources such as hosting websites, transmitting data, sending or receiving emails, controlling accesses, etc.
There are several categories of servers, including web servers, mail servers, file servers, Application servers, Database servers, Cloud servers, Print server, Game server etc. Each type runs software specific to the purpose of the server.
A Server Computer.
A server will often perform numerous additional tasks as part of a single request and response, including verifying the identity of the requestor, ensuring that the client has permission to access the data or resources requested, and properly formatting or returning the required response in an expected way.
While server software is specific to the type of server machine, the hardware is not as important. In fact, a regular desktop computer can be turned into a server by adding the appropriate software. For example, a computer connected to a home network can be designated as a file server, print server, or both.
HOW SERVER OPERATES
To function as a server, a device must be configured to listen to requests from clients on a network connection. This functionality can exist as part of the operating system as an installed application, role, or a combination of the two.
When a client requires data or functionality from a server, it sends a request over the network. The server receives this request and responds with the appropriate information. This is the request and response model of client-server networking, also known as the call and response model.
Diagram Illustration of Request and Respond Service Between a Server machine and a Client Computer.
While servers can run on different types of computers, it is important that the hardware is sufficient to support the demands of the server. For instance, a web server that runs lots of web scripts in real-time should have a fast processor and enough RAM to handle the "load" without slowing down. A file server should have one or more fast hard drives or SSDs that can read and write data quickly. Regardless of the type of server, a fast network connection is also critical, since all data flows through that connection.
Server Computer with a Clients Computers connected.
6 - MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
A mainframe computer is a computer used primarily by large organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing (such as the census and industry processes) and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and large-scale transaction processing. A mainframe computer was big in physical size and has more processing power compared to some other classes of computers, such as servers and microcomputers (like - laptop, Desktop, Personal Computers, etc).
Today, computer manufacturers don't always use the term mainframe to refer to mainframe computers. Instead, most have taken to calling any commercial-use computer — large or small — a server, with the mainframe simply being the largest type of server in use today.
Their high stability and reliability enable these machines to run uninterrupted for very long periods of time, with mean time between failures (MTBF) measured in decades. Mainframes have high availability, one of the primary reasons for their longevity, since they are typically used in applications where downtime would be costly or catastrophic.
A mainframe is what businesses use to host the commercial databases, transaction servers, and applications that require a greater degree of security and availability than is commonly found on smaller-scale machines.
Mainframe Computer.
Early mainframe systems were housed in enormous, room-sized metal boxes or frames, which is probably how the term mainframe originated. The early mainframe required large amounts of electrical power and air-conditioning, and the room was filled mainly with I/O devices. Also, a typical customer site had several mainframes installed, with most of the I/O devices connected to all of the mainframes. During their largest period, in terms of physical size, a typical mainframe occupied 2,000 to 10,000 square feet (600 to 3000 square meters). Some installations were even larger than this.
Starting around 1990, mainframe processors and most of their I/O devices became physically smaller, while their functionality and capacity continued to grow. Mainframe systems today are much smaller than earlier systems - about the size of a large refrigerator. IBM, with z Systems, now dominates the manufacturing market of mainframe computers.
COMPONENTS OF MAINFRAME COMPUTER
The mainframes have two types of processors, the first one is the Main processor and the other one is System assistance Processor or SAP. The SAP processors do not process any data but move the data from one place to another as fast as possible.
Each processor can have up to 7 to 10 or more cores which are specially designed and engineered for ‘higher throughput’. Each mainframe can have up to 160 or even more of I/O cards. And also, they have got some serious amount of ROM (Solid State Drives) for faster data storage and transfer.
Note: Throughput can be defined as the rate at which the data is processed.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
- It has high processing speed, compared to other computing machines.
- Bulk acceptance of Input/Output at a time: Mainframes are designed to handle very high-volume input and output (I/O) and emphasize throughput computing.
- Redundancy: Mainframes can add or hot swap system capacity without disrupting system function, with specificity and granularity to a level of sophistication not usually available with most server solutions.
- Always available, as once started they will remain on for rest of the time.
- Reliability: Mainframe return on investment (ROI), like any other computing platform, is dependent on its ability to scale, support mixed workloads, reduce labor costs, deliver uninterrupted service for critical business applications, and several other risk-adjusted cost factors. It’s also had execution integrity characteristics for fault tolerant computing.
- Virtualization: Modern mainframes can run multiple different instances of operating systems at the same time.
7 - SUPERCOMPUTER
A supercomputer is a computer with very high-level computational capacities compared to a general-purpose computer such as a personal desktop and laptop, or other classes of computers. The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second (MIPS) as in other categories of computer. Since November 2017, all of the world's fastest 500 supercomputers run Linux-based operating systems. And since then, there are supercomputers which can perform over 1017 FLOPS (a hundred quadrillion FLOPS, 100 petaFLOPS or 100 PFLOPS).
Supercomputers play an important role in the field of computational science, and are commonly applied for a wide range of computationally intensive tasks in various fields, such as in quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling (computing the structures and properties of chemical compounds, biological macro molecules, polymers, and crystals), and physical simulations(such as simulations of the early moments of the universe, airplane and spacecraft aerodynamics, the detonation of nuclear weapons, and nuclear fusion). They have been essential in the field of cryptanalysis.
Supercomputer
Supercomputers were introduced in the 1960s, and for several decades the fastest were made by Seymour Roger Cray at Control Data Corporation (CDC), Cray Research and subsequent companies bearing his name or monogram. The first such machines were highly tuned conventional designs that ran faster than their more general-purpose contemporaries. Through the decade, increasing amounts of parallelism were added, with one to four processors being typical. In the 1970s, vector processors operating on large arrays of data came to dominate. A notable example is the highly successful Cray-1 of 1976. Vector computers remained the dominant design into the 1990s. From then until today, massively parallel supercomputers with tens of thousands of off-the-shelf processors became the norm.
One of the manufactured supercomputer in 2018 called the Summit Supercomputer, can calculate in 1 Second what would take a human being 6 billion Years!
A typical supercomputer consumes large amounts of electrical power, almost all of which is converted into heat, requiring cooling. Power consumption remains the most pervasive challenge in achieving Exascale supercomputing. At the time a megawatt per year in energy consumption cost about 1 million dollars. Supercomputing facilities were constructed to efficiently remove the increasing amount of heat produced by modern multi-core central processing units. Based on the energy consumption of the Green 500 list of supercomputers between 2007 and 2011, a supercomputer with 1 exaflops in 2011 would have required nearly 500 megawatts.
SUPERCOMPUTER PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT - PARALLELISM
Supercomputers performance was achieve using the parallel computing. Performing computations in parallel means carrying out many calculations simultaneously. It is like having thousands or millions of general-purpose computers all working for you on the same problem at the same time. This is in fact an excellent analogy for how modern supercomputers operate. The speed of supercomputers is measured in FLOPS (floating-point operations per second). These measurements are commonly used with an SI prefix such as tera-, combined into the shorthand "TFLOPS" (1012 FLOPS, pronounced teraflops), or peta-, combined into the shorthand "PFLOPS" (1015 FLOPS, pronounced petaflops). Petascale supercomputers can process one quadrillion (1015) (1000 trillion) FLOPS. Exascale is computing performance in the exaFLOPS (EFLOPS) range. An EFLOPS is one quintillion (1018) FLOPS (one million TFLOPS).
Supercomputer Frontier! The fastest supercomputer as of November, 2022 published by the Top500.org
The TOP500 Supercomputer list
The fastest supercomputers have been ranked on the TOP500 list according to their LINPACK benchmark results published after each six months, since 1993. The list does not claim to be unbiased or definitive, but it is a widely cited current definition of the "fastest" supercomputer available at any given time.
The below table was a recent list of the fastest ten (10) supercomputers which appeared at the top of the TOP500 list, and the class="bold">Peak speed is given as the Rmax rating.
| Rank | System | Total NO. of Cores | RMax | Power(kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | Tianhe-2A | 4,981,760 | 61.44 | 18,482 |
| 9th | Selene | 555,520 | 63.46 | 2,646 |
| 8th | Perlmutter | 761,856 | 70.87 | 2,589 |
| 7th | Sunway TaihuLight | 10,649,600 | 93.01 | 15,371 |
| 6th | Sierra | 1,572,480 | 94.64 | 7,438 |
| 5th | Summit | 2,414,592 | 148.60 | 10,096 |
| 4th | Leonardo | 1,463,616 | 174.70 | 5,610 |
| 3rd | LUMI | 2,220,288 | 309.10 | 6,016 |
| 2nd | Supercomputer Fugaku | 7,630,848 | 442.0 | 29,899 |
| 1st | Frontier | 8,730,112 | 1,102.00 | 21,100 |
Ten (10) fastest supercomputers as of November, 2022 from Top500.org
Computing devices comes in different physical sizes, with different processing power for specific and general purposes!
Among the computers, some were designed to be used in our homes and at the office for executing and processing of daily schedule tasks, some to be worn on our bodies to inform us about other information from within our body system such as blood pressure and heart rate beat.
Also, some comes in sizes that is not easily to be made portable from one location to another location, such as the mainframe server computer and the supercomputer. But these set of computers have the highest processing capacity that supersede all the other classification of computers.
Understanding the classification of computers and how they operate, such as supercomputer will gain you an insight on the machines and the way they handles and process data. Let use Google supercomputer analogy; Google have over 2billion users with each user assigned a dedicated free 15GB of storage space, which equal 15 x 2000000000GB apart from the purchased storage spaces managed again by the same Google computer. Also, apart from the storage service provided, Google hosts thousands other services of cloud applications. So, with this, think of the computer that could easily handles these enormous processes of these services. We have already seen that one of these supercomputers could process what would take human 6billion years to process in just a second. Supercomputer is among the man-made amazing inventions in the Universe!