Computer Classification, By Size and Power

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

• Personal computer: a small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.
• Workstation: a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
• Minicomputer: a multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
• Mainframe: a powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
• Supercomputer: an extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.