Computers do not only restrict to only dekstops, laptops or Macbooks. There are many other types of computers not known to most of us, except perhaps IT students.
There are hybrid computers, analog computers, mainframe computers, microcomputers, desktops, laptops, PDAs, minicomputers, supercomputers and wearable computers.
In hybrid computers, these computers are combination of analog and digital computers and converts analog signal to digital signal. In analog computer, this computer perform mathematical calculation (several) at the same time. However, this computer is nearly "pupus" today. This computer also uses continuous variables for mathematical operations and uses mechanical or electrical energy.
Supercomputer
Furthermore, mainframe computers are used by large organizations and used to process large volumes of data. Mainframes are capable of substituting for several servers, multiple operating systems and operate as a number of virtual machines.
A higher specification of mainframes are supercomputers. These supercomputers are capable of processing very large volumes of data, high-calculation intensive tasks, parallel processing, memory heirarchy, and applied in fields of quantum physics, mechanics, molecular theory and weather forecasting. Not a computer fOR YOU & ME, YAY.
Personal Computer (desktop)
Minicomputers are computers in the middle of mainframes and supercomputers. These computers functions as midrange system (workstations) and began surfacing in 1960s. At that time, these computers were referred to as smaller 3rd gen computers. These computers took a lot of space, perhaps space for a refrigerator and used a transistor and core memory technologies. The 12-bit-PDP-8 minicomputer was the first minicomputer successfully build.
Microcomputers are computers that needs a microprocessor and CPU (central processing unit) to function and do not require a lot of space like mainframes. Microcomputers, when added with keyboards and mouse are called personal computers (PCs). Microcomputers can easily fit on a desk and easily fit a task which requires only one user.
PDA
Similar to a microcomputers, personal computers comprise laptops and dekstops. Desktops as the name implies, can be placed on a desk. A desktop computer uses less power consumption and its spare parts can be obtained easily. A desktop computer is equipped with a keyboard and mouse. A screen of a computer is from a CRT (cathode ray tube). However, CRTs have been obsolete and have been replaced by a flat panel monitors which use LCD (liquid crystal display).
Laptops are similar to desktops but a laptop is placed on a lap and is portable. A laptop can be carried anywhere and everywhere, unlike the desktop computer. A laptop is equipped with a touchpad for a mouse, a built-in keyboard and an LCD for a flat panel monitor or CRT. A laptop comes with a rechargeable battery adapter, which can be troublesome to carry around.
Microcomputer
Since then, people have opted to buy netbooks (or subnotebooks), which don't come with a CD drive or floppy disk drive since it is so small. However, a laptop is different from a notebook because a notebook is not equipped with a floppy disk drive or a CD drive, is smaller and has smaller screen compared to laptop.
Generally, a laptop is bigger and has more specification than a notebook.
Moreover, a PDA or personal digital assistant is another type of computer that can be handheld and kept on a palm, of which it is sometimes called palmtops. A PDA can be also called a smartphone and has a touchscreen. A PDA has a memory card to store information and can be used as a portable audio player and web browser. A person can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth internet on a PDA.
Minicomputer
In addition, a wearable computer is a device that is wearable on a body part. Wearable computers are often utilized in the study of human health and behaviour modelling. A wearable computer is one computer that operates all the time without switching on or off. Military and health professionals are people who uses wearable computers in their daily life.
Embedded Computer
Analog Computer
Finally, the last type of computer is embedded computer. Though you may think it never exists, but embedded "comps" do exist. They are computer that are built in most of our electronic devices like cameras, keyboards, medical devices, engine control modules, thermostats and manyyyyyyy moreeeee....:>
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