The types of computers range from the Hybrid to the Analog types. The computers you come across in the

daily course of your day range from laptops, palmtops and towers, to desktop computers, to name a few. But

the very word "computers" reminds one of the desktop computers used in offices or homes. Different categories

of computes have been devised in keeping with our varied needs.

The Types Of Computers:Analog and Hybrid (classification based on operational principle)

Analog Computers : The analog computer is almost an extinct type of computer these days. It is different from

a digital computer in respect that it can perform numerous mathematical operations simultaneously. It is also

unique in terms of operation as it utilizes continuous variables for the purpose of mathematical computation. It

utilizes mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical energy or operation.

Hybrid computers : These types of computers are, as the name suggests, a combination of both Analog and

Digital computers.

The Digital computers which work on the principle of binary digit system of "0" and "1" can give very precise

results. But the problem is that they are too slow and incapable of large scale mathematical operation. In the

hybrid types of computers the Digital counterparts convert the analog signals to perform Robotics and Process

control.

1. The Mainframe Computer : These are computers used by large

organizations like meteorological surveys and statistical institutes for performing bulk mathematical computations. They are core computers which are used for desktop functions of over one hundred people simultaneously.

2. The Microcomputer : These are the most frequently used computers better known by the name of

"Personal computers". This is the type of computer meant for public use. Other than Desktop Computer the choice ranges as follows :

Personal Digital Computer

Tablet PC

Towers

Work Stations

Laptops

Hand Held Computer

3. The Mini computer : Mini computers like the mainframe computers are used by business organization. The difference being that it can support the simultaneous working of up to 100 users and is usually maintained in business organizations for the maintenance of accounts and finances.

4. Supercomputers :Supercomputers are one of the many types of modern computing machines which are capable of giving very speedy calculations. It is because of their high speed processing ability that Supercomputer systems are used in such works as animation graphics, weather forecasting, nuclear research work, petroleum research works, crypt analysis, molecular modeling and the likes. You must be wondering then what is the difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe computer system? While Mainframe machines are primarily used for a number of purposes, supercomputers are so designed to serve a singular purpose.

A brief time line of the development of supercomputers has been given as follows :

1960s : Seymour Cray of Control Data Corporation (CDC) launches the Supercomputer systems.

1970s : Cray Research is founded by Seymour Cray after he leaves Control Data Corporation (CDC). Most supercomputers were meant for running vector processor.

1985-1990 : Cray's model of supercomputer takes over the market.

Today, supercomputers are designed by such companies as HP, IBM and of course, Cray Inc. Supercomputer systems are now becoming almost the same as laptop computers and desktop systems.

Before the 1970s, supercomputers were mostly run on scalar process principle. But in order to improve its efficiency a number of new technologies were developed such as :

Liquid Cooling

Striped Disks (RAID)

Parallel File systems

Non-uniform memory access (NUMA)

Vector Processing

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Analog Computers :Analog Computers and Digital computers are the two kinds of computers, the combination of which is responsible for the invention of the modern Hybrid computers.The analog systems carry out arithmetic and logical operations by manipulating and processing data which you input such as the weight, temperature, voltage, power density, etc. But unlike the digital computer that changes all inputs to binary digits of "1" and "0", the analog computer does not change inputted data to any such sign language.The analog computer has become obsolete type of computer these days. It is different from a digital computer as it can perform numerous mathematical operations simultaneously. The digital computers, however could not operate the more complex operations. The Analog System is also unique in terms of operation as it utilizes continuous variables for the purpose of mathematical computation. It utilizes mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical energy or operation.

Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit features of analog computers and digital computers. The digital component normally serves as the controller and provides logical operations, while the analog component normally serves as a solver ofdifferentialequations. The HRS-100 was a prominent example in the 1970s. Late in the 20th century, hybrids dwindled with the increasing capabilities of digital computers including digital signal processors

Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit features of analog computers and digital computers. The digital component normally serves as the controller and provides logical operations, while the analog component normally serves as a solver ofdifferential equations. The HRS-100 was a prominent example in the 1970s. Late in the 20th century, hybrids dwindled with the increasing capabilities of digital computers including digital signal processors

Hybrid computers should be distinguished from hybrid systems. The latter may be no more than a digital computer equipped with an analog-to-digital converter at the input and/or a digital-to-analog converter at the output, to convert analog signals for ordinary digital signal processing, and conversely, e.g., for driving physical control systems, such as servomechanisms.