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→Classifications: client-server image, etc
Personal computers are ones designed for use by a single user at any given time. These are the common desktop and laptop computers most people use today. Tablet computers could also be included in this general category. Some businesses will include person computers in a client-server network. In this system, the personal computers are used to connect with a main server computer (or in some cases, a server cluster).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>
Personal computers are ones designed for use by a single user at any given time. These are the common desktop and laptop computers most people use today. Tablet computers could also be included in this general category. Some businesses will include person computers in a client-server network. In this system, the personal computers are used to connect with a main server computer (or in some cases, a server cluster).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>
===Mainframe===
===Mainframe===
[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (around 1962)]]
[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|250px|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (1962)]]
Mainframes were the first kind of computers, and always used to be the fastest option. They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have become obsolete. Since the modern laptop has more processing power than a mainframe of the 1990s, there is little point for the continued use of them. Mainframes also took up comparatively enormous amount of space, and consumed much more electricity than modern options. They have been since been replaced with the client-server architecture.<ref>"mainframe." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/358715/mainframe>.</ref>
Mainframes were the first kind of computers, and always used to be the fastest option. They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have become obsolete. Since the modern laptop has more processing power than a mainframe of the 1990s, there is little point for the continued use of them. Mainframes also took up comparatively enormous amount of space, and consumed much more electricity than modern options. They have been since been replaced with the client-server architecture.<ref>"mainframe." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/358715/mainframe>.</ref>
===Client-server===
[[File:CERN Server room 03.jpg|250px|thumbnail|A Client-Server Room]]
A client-server is a powerful computer which offers information or services to remote personal computers and workstations. In many cases, client-server computers host websites, send and receive [[e-mail]] messages, store information, and handle all other basic services offered on the Internet. Others perform less publicly accessible functions such as crawling websites and running any number of advances calculations. Client-servers are also used by some companies to store records which are usually only available on their intranet (local network). For example, hospitals will often keep patient records on a secure client-server.<ref>"client-server architecture." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/1366374/client-server-architecture>.</ref><br />
Client-servers can also be clustered so that although they appear to be one server, a sometimes large quantity of servers are actually running. When multiple server computers are used, the storage, processing, and client capabilities of the whole increase dramatically. This fact has led the creation of many "server farms," which house little other than but thousands of servers.
===Supercomputer===
===Supercomputer===
Supercomputers are the most powerful computers available, which have replaced mainframe computers. These computers, which generally full large rooms like mainframes, are generally used by government agencies and large corporations. Since these computers are so expensive, they are reserved for important and complicated computations such as nuclear simulations and weather modeling.<ref name="Britannica">"Computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/130429/computer>.</ref> Quantum computers are also often considered supercomputers, due to their extensive capabilities (and size).
Supercomputers are the most powerful computers available, which have replaced mainframe computers. These computers, which generally full large rooms like mainframes, are generally used by government agencies and large corporations. Since these computers are so expensive, they are reserved for important and complicated computations such as nuclear simulations and weather modeling.<ref name="Britannica">"Computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/130429/computer>.</ref> Quantum computers are also often considered supercomputers, due to their extensive capabilities (and size).
===Dedicated===
===Dedicated===
Dedicated computers are, as the name suggests, dedicated to a specific function. These can be almost anything from [[Video game]] consoles to a child's handheld toy. These are generally limited in functionality, since they are designed for their single task only.<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>
Dedicated computers are, as the name suggests, dedicated to a specific function. These can be almost anything from [[Video game]] consoles to a child's handheld toy. These are generally limited in functionality, since they are designed for their single task only.<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>