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Line 14:
Line 14: − Computers are divided into four classes. They are: personal computers, mainframe computers, dedicated computers, and embedded computers. − + + +
→Classifications: added supercomputers
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==Classifications==
==Classifications==
===Personal===
===Personal===
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>
===Mainframes===
===Mainframe===
[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (around 1962)]]
[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (around 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 largely 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. Some software was designed to run only on mainframes, however, so although largely obsolete, they still could have a limited functionality in some ways.
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 largely 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. Some software was designed to run only on mainframes, however, so although largely obsolete, they still could have a limited functionality in some ways.
===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).
===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>