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Minicomputer
A minicomputer, also known as mini is a type of computer that is bigger,
more expensive and more powerful than a microcomputer. It can
contain one or more microprocessors as its processing unit. This type of
computers is mainly used for scientific and engineering computations. A
minicomputer has the capability to serve a number of users simultaneously.
It is also known as small or midsize server computer. Some common
examples of minicomputers are PDP-11, PDP-8, HP-3000, etc.
Clickipedia Minicomputer
A server is also a computer that provides data and other services to other computers. It is
used in offices where many computers are connected with each other.
Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers are very large, fast, powerful
and more expensive than the minicomputers. They
can have multiple microprocessors as their processing
unit. Some mainframe computers are so big that they
require as much large space as that of a room.
Mainframe computers are generally used in big
organisations where large amount of data need to be
processed such as banks. Examples of mainframe
computers are IBM zSeries, IBM 4381, ICL 39, etc. Mainframe Computers
Supercomputers
Supercomputers are the largest and fastest of all types
of computers. Even some supercomputers require
much space as that of a floor of a building. The cost
of supercomputer is very high. They can process very
large amount of data quickly.
Supercomputers
They are used in very big organisations and government departments to do tasks such as weather
forecasting and rocket launching. PARAM was India’s first supercomputer developed in 1991.
Some other examples of supercomputers are PACE, Titan, Sunway TaihuLight, Pratyush, Mihir, etc.
SOME OTHER SPECIAL COMPUTERS
Apart from the types of computers that we have discussed in the previous sections, some other
types of computers are embedded computers and handheld computers. Let us learn about these
computers in detail.
Categories of Computers and Software 9

