What is a Computer System? (+ Types by Size and Data-Handling)

Once upon a time, owning a computer system was a luxury that only large private and governmental organizations could afford. Think back to the first-generation computer system that was so large that it could fill up a room.

Today, businesses of all sizes can afford a computer system. Guess what? The size of the computer system has reduced drastically, but it is more powerful and functional than the big machines of previous generations.

This article discusses the components of a computer system and how its parts work together to ensure we keep breaking limits in this digital age.

Let’s get started.

What is a Computer System?

A computer system includes hardware and software components programmed to receive, process, manage, and present information in a meaningful and understandable format.

What is the difference between hardware and software? The physical components in a computer system are the hardware components. They include the central processing unit (CPU), input/output, or storage devices like hard disk drives, keyboard, and mouse.

Software is the non-physical component of the computer system that includes the system and application software. The operating system manages and serves other programs running on the computer.

Hardware and software components combine to run basic computing activities like accepting input, storing data, and retrieving and processing information.

Evolution of Computer Systems

The computer system has a unique history. Many versions of the computer system existed over the years. From the large computer systems of the 1950s to today’s portable personal computer systems, the evolution is clear for all to see.

Understanding the evolution of the computer system will give you the required insight into how the system operates.

Computer Systems: Early Models

The early models of the computer system show how this electronic device started.

We can’t talk about the early models without mentioning Charles Babbage's differential machine. This machine represents the first computer built.

The downside is that Charles Babbage's differential machine was not complete, but it gives us a background of how a computing system functions.

Charles Babbage's Differential Machine

This computing system existed before the inception of mainframes and large computers that were making waves in the early 20th century. It could only perform specific tasks due to the level of advancement in technology in that era.

Due to technological advancement, the Von Neumann machine and similar computing systems came onto the scene and revolutionized data processing in the human world.

The Personal Computer

The debut of the personal computer was possible because of the creation and microprocessor revolution of the 1970s and 1980s.

Personal computers are also known as desktop computers. They came on the scene and changed the game for computer systems.

Major organizations used heavy-duty machines for processing data before adopting the desktop computer. These models were used in homes, schools, and offices. They came with a clear monitor display. The devices got into public use in 1977.

Personal computers featured a computer box or shell as their main hardware piece, including other relevant peripheral devices such as a keyboard and mouse. Users had to download the software through floppy disks.

The personal computer was the first of its kind. It was not as big as the earlier models, which made its transportation process easier. In addition, this device was easier to use, and it also encouraged learning across various institutions.

Operating System

Every computer system requires an operating system to function optimally. The original purpose of creating the operating system was to offer support to the computing system in the box and help users operate the software in charge of running the hardware.

As people became aware of the operating system, they got an insight into relevant constructs such as files, applications, and executables. These constructs could run seamlessly on the operating system to process data faster and more effectively.

The IBM Model 5150 was the first official personal computer that ran Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system. This device also featured an Intel 8088 processor running at 4.77 MHz.

The IBM Model 5150

In recent times the operating system has evolved. This evolution has made it easily accessible and more effective for users running complex programs and processing raw data.

The operating system helps to perform vital functions like managing hardware components and user permissions, system security, programming languages, gaming, and resource management.

Laptops

After decades of using desktop computers, people became dissatisfied with their rigid computer case and the fact that it was not portable. This need caused computer engineers to go to the drawing board and find a way to make these large computers smaller and portable.

The first microcomputer debuted in 1980. It was manufactured with light materials, an 8-bit 2 MHz Intel 8085 processor, and a 64K byte random access memory (RAM).

Mobile phones also came onto the scene with data processing ability and web browsing. Touchscreen devices replaced the peripheral interface model with the plugged-in mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

The Cloud

The evolution of the computer system goes beyond laptops and other portable devices. Cloud computing emerged in the early 2000s and brought a new perspective to the computer system.

The cloud brought about new possibilities and revolutionized software distribution and data storage. Computer users can send files and run programs through the internet because of cloud technology.

Cloud computing made the use of physical media like floppy disks and compact disks to store data and transport software obsolete. The enterprise IT sector took a new turn because of this technological advancement.

The cloud system helped to eliminate the fear of losing important files due to physical and environmental damage.

You can store a limitless amount of data on the cloud depending on the subscription you have with your cloud service provider. The best cloud service providers for storing data and managing your applications include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud.

Virtualization

Virtualization has improved our view, perception, and how we answer the question, “What is a computer system?”

Hardware and software components have evolved beyond physical parts and have turned into more sophisticated virtualized computer systems. You can use virtual machines to run computer programs independent of a physical computer system.

Components of a Computer System

A computer system consists of hardware and software components functioning together to accomplish complex tasks.

Hardware Components

Here are some common hardware components of a computer system:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is commonly referred to as the brain or command center of the computer system. It responds to the user's inputs by giving and relaying commands to other aspects of the system. The Central Processing Unit handles tasks like calculations, data mining, and word processing.
• Input/Output Devices: Input devices allow users to enter data and instructions into the computer. Examples of input devices are the keyboard, joystick, and mouse. Output devices help display the result of the initial command the user gave. Examples of output devices include the monitor and the printing machine.
• Motherboard: A computer system cannot complete tasks without proper communication between its components and parts. The motherboard is responsible for linking and facilitating smooth communication between these parts to work as one united entity.
• Power Supply Unit: The power supply unit converts incoming electricity into a useful energy source and delivers it to the different components of the computer system.
• Main Memory: A computer system requires a memory device to function optimally. This device is known as “RAM.” The “RAM” is a temporary storage space that helps users to store information and grants them access based on the CPU’s command.
• Storage Devices: The internal memory of a computer may be limited in its capacity, resulting in the need for external storage devices. Examples of external storage devices for long-term data and file storage are hard drives and solid-state drives. These devices will still save your computer’s data if the power goes off.
• Cooling Systems: The computer system will function better if it has a fully functional cooling system while it carries out various tasks. Built-in fans or liquid cooling systems help to prevent overheating and hardware damage.
• Network Interface Card (NIC): NIC is a unique linking device that helps users to link their computer to a network and enables communication with external network devices.
• Peripherals: Apart from minor functions like linking to other networks, a computer system has the potential to link to smaller devices called peripherals. External hard disks, printers, and scanners are a few examples. These devices make the work of the user effective and worthwhile.

Software Components

Software components are intangible parts of a computer system stored and run on the computer hardware. A computer system can’t function if it lacks software components.

Here are the main software components.

1. Systems Software

The system software helps to run vital programs required for the computer to function optimally.

Examples of system software include operating systems, programming language translators, and utility software.

The operating system is a vital part of the system software that controls the computer's hardware and software resources. It assists in maintaining the main memory, storage, and how the computer interacts with every input device and output drive linked to it.

Examples of operating systems are Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

2. Application Software

Application software is commonly known as a program. It is a unique tool that does specific tasks.

Some examples of applications are Excel, Word, and web browsers. These applications run complex programs relevant to various organizations and are applicable in real-life situations like accounts, payroll, and air traffic control.

Types of Computer Systems

Computer systems come in different types and structures. There are different types of computer systems with unique features and capabilities.

The types of computer systems an organization will go for are subject to the company’s requirements and what it aims to achieve through them. Computers have groups based on their size and capacity for handling data.

Computer Systems Based on Size

Here are the types of computer groups based on their respective sizes.

1. Microcomputers

Microcomputers are known as personal computers (PCs). They are popular and very powerful devices despite their small sizes.

Similar to other systems, PCs have a central processing unit (CPU) and a powerful microprocessor that manages and controls their activities. Additional features include memory, and storage, input/output devices like a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Microcomputers are custom-made for individual use in a home or office. The system cannot perform heavy-duty activities, but activities like Word processing, internet browsing, and gaming.

Examples of microcomputers include desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and personal digital assistants.

2. Minicomputers

Minicomputers came into existence in the mid-1960s. They are known as mid-range computers and are slightly bigger, with more storage capacity and faster computing power to run programs than microcomputers.

Microcomputers are limited to one user per operation, while minicomputers can accommodate multiple users and applications simultaneously.

Minicomputers are relevant for executing network management and scholarly research. Common examples of minicomputers include devices like AS/400, Motorola 68040, and MV 1500.

3. Medium-Size Computers

Medium-size computers are superior to microcomputers and minicomputers in speed and storage space. This computer system has various features that give it an advantage over microcomputers, but not as effective as mainframe computers.

For example, medium-size computers have various disk drives that make activities like processing online access requests and numerous high-speed input-output operations seamless.

IBM's Power Systems is a perfect example of a medium-sized computer.

4. Large Computers

Large computers are relevant to financial institutions and government agencies because of their capacity to perform complex and high-end computing tasks. These tasks include scientific research, data mining, and weather forecasting.

This computer system can effectively manage enormous amounts of data and traffic due to its unique features like fault tolerance, high availability, and scalability.

Large computers help big organizations to save time, human effort, and resources due to their effectiveness in performing business-critical applications.

5. Mainframe Computers

Mainframe computers can seamlessly access billions of data and process millions of instructions per second. They handle complex tasks like business-critical applications, transaction processing, data warehousing, and enterprise resource planning.

The computer system can support multiple users and computer programs simultaneously without any hitch.

Mainframe computers are capable of executing tasks and functions with little operator input. Organizations like telecommunication companies and banks are major beneficiaries of this system.

6. Supercomputers

Supercomputers are at the top of the food chain. They are more advanced than all the other types of computer systems.

The sizes of supercomputers are massive, and they can solve complex tasks that would take other computer types decades to arrive at solutions.

These computers can execute billions of calculations per second and tasks like cryptography, scientific research, weather forecasting, quantum physics, physical simulations, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Computer Systems Based on Data-Handling Capacity

Here are some computer system types based on their data-handling capacity.

1. Analog Computers

An analog computer is capable of processing complex data by converting or translating it into numbers and codes first.

Here’s how the analog computer works. This computer has an input device, which it uses to receive data. Next, it measures the data and displays them on a dial or scale, which is its output device.

Examples of analog computers include a speedometer or a mercury thermometer.

2. Digital Computers

Digital computers are more sophisticated than analog computers because of their ability to seamlessly calculate algorithms and logical processes at a fast rate.

These computers use their memory and storage devices to process the raw data they receive and display the result.

Digital computers can only understand binary code inputs, which makes it possible to convert the raw input data to 0 and 1. The converted data is further processed to create the final results, which are deployed or printed via output devices.

Examples of digital computers include all current models of desktops, laptops, and cell phones.

3. Hybrid Computers

A hybrid computer features the best characteristics of an analog and digital computer. These computers are loaded with the technology to convert analog signals into digital signals.

The speed of processing data of an analog computer and the accuracy and large memory of a digital computer are all present in hybrid computers. These features make hybrids the perfect candidate for effectively handling continuous and discrete data.

Examples of hybrid computers include fuel pumps, electrocardiogram machines, ultrasound machines, and monitoring machines.

Explore Further

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• Software vs Firmware: What’s the Difference?
• Types of Software Platforms
• Different Types of Software with Examples
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• List of 14 Emerging Technologies That Will Change Our World

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