List of computer size categories

This list of computer size categories attempts to list commonly used categories of computer by size, in descending order of size. Of course, one generation's "supercomputer" is the next generation's "mainframe", and a "PDA" does not have the same set of functions as a "laptop", but the list should have some recognition value. It also ranks some more obscure computer sizes.

Supercomputers

Mainframe computers

Mainframe computers are large and expensive but powerful, so they can handle hundreds and thousands of connected users at the same time.

Minicomputers

Microcomputers

Mobile computers

Others

Distinctive marks

The classes above are not rigid; there are "edge devices" in most of them. For instance, the "subnotebook" category can usually be distinguished from the "PDA" category because a subnotebook has a keyboard and a PDA has not; however, tablet PCs may be larger than subnotebooks (making it seemingly correct to classify them as laptops) and also lack a keyboard, while devices such as the Handspring Treo 600 have something that might charitably be called a keyboard, but are still definitely in the "smartphone" category.

In the higher end of the spectrum, this informal rule might help:

Categories

See also

References

  1. ↑ "minicluster". Archived from the original on 2012-09-06.)
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