computers, the terms microprocessor and
CPU are often used interchangeably.)
These chips, or integrated circuits, are
small, thin pieces of silicon onto which
the transistors making up the micro-
processor have been etched. The micro-
processor is the heart of any normal com-
puter, from desktops and laptop machines
to a larger server. They have many uses.
For example, they control the logic of
almost all familiar digital devices—from
microwaves and clock radios to fuel-injec-
tion systems for automobiles.What is the differencebetween a
minicomputerand a microcomputer?
The term minicomputer is not used much
today. It is considered to be the type of
computer built mainly from about 1963 to 1987, and refers to the “mini” mainframe
computers that were not large enough to be called mainframes but were large enough
to take up the space of a small closet. These computers were once popular in small
businesses that could not afford the money or space for a mainframe computer. They
were much less powerful than a mainframe and were limited in hardware and software,
and they were built using what was called low-integration logic integrated circuits.
Eventually, they were overtaken by microcomputers built around the microprocessor.
The microcomputer was a later development in computing. It was developed as a
general-purpose computer designed to be operated by one person at a time. The sin-
gle-chip microcomputer (complete with microprocessor) was, in many respects, a
landmark development in computer technology, resulting in the commercialization of
the personal computer. This is because computers became smaller and less expensive,
and the design made parts easier to replace.What are the main partsand typesof computersin use today?
The basic parts of a computer are the central processing unit (CPU), memory, a key-
board and other optional input devices such as a scanner, and output devices such as a
screen, a printer, and audio speakers. The biggest differences between the various
types of computers are the amount of memory and speed of the machines.
It’s also easy to see why the word “computer” has so many connotations. They
vary greatly, but include the following basic types, which are based mostly on the size
364 and number of people who can simultaneously use the machines. The mainframeis
A personal digital assistant (PDA) is just one of many
conveniently small and handy computer devices
made possible by advances in microprocessors.
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