Page 15 - Viva ICSE Computer Studies 6 : E-book

• Game Console: A game console is a computer device
that gives a video signal or visual image as an output
further displaying a video game that the user can play.
The user can play interactive video games using game
console. The device can be connected to a television or
a computer. In this case, the interaction of the user with
the game occurs through a handheld computer. Xbox,
PlayStation 3 and Wii are some examples of game
consoles.
Embedded Systems: An embedded system is a
combination of hardware and software where the Think and Discuss
software called the fi rmware is embedded into
the hardware. It is designed to perform tasks like Which type of computer do you use?
accessing, processing, storing and controlling data How do you fi nd it useful?
in diff erent electronic-based systems like televisions,
printers and medical equipments. The system consists of CPU, RAM, ROM, input and output
devices. However, it lacks disk drives, keyboard and screen. Embedded systems are also called
microcontrollers.

Minicomputers

• They are bigger than microcomputers.
• They are more powerful than microcomputers.

• They are faster and have more memory.
• They are used in offi ces to connect many computers together and support 4 to 200 users
at the same time.

HP 2100, MicroVAX 3100 and PDP-8 are some examples of minicomputers.

Mainframe Computers

• They are large computers and have many terminals connected with a network.
• They are used in big organisations to handle a huge amount of data. They can be used by
more than hundred users at a same time.
• They have faster speed and larger storage capacity than minicomputers.

• They are mostly used for business and scientifi c research purposes.
• They are very expensive and used in large organisations like science laboratories, business
organisations and stock exchange markets.

IBM Z series, PDP-10 and System Z10 are some examples of mainframe computers.

Supercomputers
• They are the most powerful computers and have a very high processing speed.

• They are very expensive.

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