Types of Computers
Microcomputers vs Mainframes
This tutorial will introduce you to microcomputers, also called personal
computers or PC's. this distinguishes them from the mainframe computers,
stationary units that store much larger amounts of information than the
average PC--information that is usually shared by several users at remote
sites. A microcomputer is a computer that does not require a forklift to
move. Although they can be linked together in order to share data, they
are essentially stand-alone stations meant to be used by one person at
time.
Microcomputer Types: DOS (IBM compatible) vs Macintosh
There are two major types of microcomputers that dominate the market in
the United States : IBM or IBM-compatible computers and Macintosh or MAC's
from Apple Computer. IBM set a standard with its original PC, and compatibles
or clones adopted the same disk operating system, DOS. All computers have
some type of disk operating system, but DOS usually refers to PC-DOS or
MS-DOS which works on IBM's and clones.
MAC's appeared a few years later, substituting an operating system which
offers a graphical interface to replace keyboard commands necessary in
DOS. For example, in the DOS environment, a user erases a file from a disk
by issuing a command DEL [filename]. Using a MAC she/he points to
a picture representing a the file (using a mouse) and drags the file into
picture of a trash can. The MAC was designed to be easier to learn since
a command language was not necessary to learn.
A graphical user interface is now provided by Microsoft's Windows program
to allow users to choose icons instead of issuing commands.
©1997 Himmelfarb Health Sciences
Library
The George Washington University Medical Center
Last modified December 23, 1997.