Types Of Computer Technology

What are the types of computer technology? Ever since the innovation and invention of computers, there has been a very significant advancement and transformation in the different types of computer technology. This has even resulted to much more diverse and technologically complex computers.

Types of computer technology can be classified based on:

Operational principle

Analog computers- They have the ability to perform several mathematical operations concurrently. To be able to perform the mathematical operations they use continuous variables. They are powered using mechanical or electrical energy and are normally used for speed, pressure, voltage and temperature calculations.

Digital computers- They are widely used in technology and engineering field, and operate on digital data making use of data binary number system namely 0 and 1. They are very suitable for much complex computation as they have a processing speed that is very high. They are capable be programmed. They are grouped into both special purpose; for specific types of data processing and general purpose for general functioning.

Hybrid computers- They operate on a combined version of both analog and digital features. They are used mostly to perform special tasks like machine automatic operation and monitoring of physical processes that are complicated. Its digital segments carry out process control by converting the analog signals to digital.

Size and processing power

Main frame computers- used mainly by large organizations to perform critical processes like bulk processing and ERP. They have the ability to host multiple OS and run several virtual machines.

Microcomputers- Has microprocessors as its central processing unit. Examples include laptop, palmtops and desktop PC. Others include smart phones, note books, smart books and tablets and game computers.

Minicomputers –Also known as workstation or mid-range systems. They are smaller than mainframes but bigger than microcomputers. They are capable of supporting more than 100 users all together.

Functions

Desktops-These are the most common types of computers. They consume little power as compared to laptops and their spare parts are the most readily available.

Laptops- Though they are similar in operation as the desktops, they are capable of being optimized and miniaturized for mobile functioning. They are much slimmer and lighter compared to desktops with their mother boards built in using wireless technology. They run on single battery or external adapter which charges the battery. They are enabled with a touch pad in place of a mouse, inbuilt keyboard and a crystal liquid display.

Personal digital assistants (PDA) – Also known as palmtops. They have touch screens and memory cards for data storage. They are also capable of being used as smart phones, web browsers and portable audio players, with an ability to access the internet by use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Other types of computer technology

Tablet computers- They are touch screen technology mobile computers, and very multipurpose function wise. They come with digital pen or use stylus or onscreen keyboard.

Supercomputers- Have the ability to perform highly intensive calculations. It’s best used for studying weather forecast, mechanics, molecular theory and quantum physics. They have large transaction processing power due to their well-designed memory hierarchy and parallel processing power.

Wearable computers- They are high and most advanced types of computer technology so far with ability of being worn on the body, and often used to study of human health and behaviour-modeling. They are capable of remaining in operation without user intervention and need not necessarily be turned on and off.

Servers- Are designed to give services to users in computer networks. They have powerful processors and large storage capacities. They are usually very large in size because of their many hard drives and large processors. They programs running in them are specifically designed to serve clients request including allocating time and memory to clients machine.

This types of computer technology evident the technological advancement that has been occurring and where the future of computer technology may be heading.