Types of Computer

Solved Question Answers

1) What is an analog computer? Give any two examples of analog device.

Ans: An analog computer is the computer in which numerical data is represented by measurable physical variables such as electrical voltage or the portion of an indicator. 

Examples of an analog device. 

• Thermometer
• Speedomoeter

2)  What is a super computer? What are its primary uses?

Ans: A super computer is the most largest, powerful and expensive computer that is used for weather forecasting, nuclear researches, oil exploration, satellite controlling and different scientific research analysis.  

3) Classify the computers on the basis of its working principle.

Ans: The classification of computers on the basis of its working principle is given below.

• Analog Computers
• Digital Computers and 
• Hybrid Computers

4) Classify the computers on the basis of its size. 

Ans: The classification of computers on the basis of its size is given below. 

• Super Computer
• Mainframe Computer
• Mini Computer and 
• Micro Computer

5) Classify the computer on the basis of its brand. 

Ans: The classification of computers on the basis of its brand is given below. 

• IBM PC
• IBM Compatible and 
• Apple Macintosh

6) What is a network computer? How does it differ from workstation?

Ans: A computer designed for use on a network in which the programs and storage are provided through server is a network computer.

           It is different from workstation because it has minimum processing power, memory and storage whereas workstation has high quality graphics, large storage capacity and powerful microprocessor. 

7) What is a laptop computer? Why is it so called?

Ans: A laptop computer is a small portable personal computer small enough to fit on the lap. 

It is called so because it can be fitted on the lap. 

8) What are handheld computers? 

Ans: Handheld computers are those computers that is small enough to fit in the user's hand such as smart phones, tabs, PDA etc. 

9) What is Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)? What are its typical uses?

Ans: PDA which stands for Personal Digital Assistant is a lightweight handheld computer designed to provide specific functions like taking notes, scheduling appointments and sending faxes and electronic mails. 

10) What is a tablet PC?

Ans: Tablet PC is a small handheld computer that uses a touchscreen as its primary input device. 

11) What is a hybrid computer? Give an examples.

Ans: The type of computer which combines the best features of both analog and digital computer is known as a hybrid computer. These type of computers can process both numerical and alphanumerical data in discrete and continuous flow of data. 

Examples: CT-Scan, MRI, X-RAY, ECG, ECHO, etc.

12) What are smart phones? What are its primary uses?

Ans: Smart phones are the small handheld device that functions as a phone and as a small PC. The primary use of smart phone is to make familiar environment to the user through which they can take the advantage of phone call and learn the use of computers in different way. 

13) Write the differences between analog computer and digital computer.

Ans: The differences between analog and digital computers are given below. 

• Analog computer works by measuring voltages and currents whereas the Digital computer works by counting numbers.
• The accuracy of Analog computer is poor compared to the Digital computers. 
• Analog computer has limited memory space than of Digital computers.
• Analog computers are single purpose machine, hence it is less expensive and easily programmable whereas the Digital computers are multi-purpose machine, hence are expensive and difficult to program. 
• Analog computers are not versatile but the Digital computers are the versatile machine. 

14) What is a digital computer? What are the two types of digital computers?

Ans: A digital computer is an electronic computing machine that uses the binary digits i.e. 0 and 1 to represent all forms of information internally in digital form.

Types of digital computers are given below. 

• General purpose digital computers
• Specific purpose digital computers

15) What is a mainframe computer and what are its typical applications?

Ans: A mainframe computer is the multi-user, multi-processing, large, expensive and having ultra-fast speed computer. It is designed for high-speed data processing with heavy use of input/output units such as large capacity disks and printers. 

Typical applications of Mainframe computers are listed below. 

• Glass offices with special air conditioning to keep it cool.
• Raised floors to accommodate the wiring needed to connect the system.
• Solving very large commercial, scientific or military problems etc.

16) What is a mini computer and what are its typical applications?

Ans: A mini computer is a mid-range computer built to perform complex computations.

Typical applications of Mini computers are listed below. 

• Payroll preparations.
• Accounting
• Scientific computations etc.

17) What is a microcomputer? What are the major categories of microcomputer?

Ans: Microcomputer is the smallest, low cost and single user digital computer which uses a single microprocessor for its CPU. 

Major categories of Micro computers are listed below. 

• Desktop computers
• Laptops
• Smart Phones
• Netbook
• Notebook
• Other small handheld devices

18) What is a desktop computer? Differentiate between the two types of desktop models. 

Ans: Desktop computer is a personal computer designed to fit conveniently on the top of a typical office desk.

      The two types of desktop model are Desktop model and Tower model. A computer in the system unit which is placed horizontally on the top of desk along with the other device is called desktop model whereas the computer in which the system unit is placed vertically to allow more room to place external components, such as scanners or printers on the desk is called tower model computer.    

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