TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Usually, the most common computers are based on the Von Neumann model. However, depending on the hardware fitted, the software installed and other features such as overall dimensions, computers can be classified into:
- Mainframes, computers that are very powerful and sometimes as big as cupboards or even bulkier.
- Terminals, computers with small computing power, but capable of issuing instructions or receiving information from other computers.
- Personal Computers, known by the acronym PC, are computers that are not particularly expensive and very easy to find in homes and offices.
- Laptops or Notebooks, also known as portable PCs, combine computing power comparable to conventional Personal Computers with a size that makes them easy to carry around.
- Netbooks, suitable for surfing the Internet, are similar to laptops and are even smaller in size, but have less computing power.
- Tablet PCs, sometimes consisting only of a 'touchscreen' type monitor, are very handy portable computers.
- Handheld computers, also known as 'Palmtops' or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), are computers with relatively low computing power, but offer the possibility of being handled by holding them in the palm of the hand.
- Smartphones, they can be regarded as very advanced handheld computers, as they combine a fair amount of computing power with the possibility of making phone calls and surfing the Internet.