This list of computer size categories attempts to list commonly used categories of computer by the physical size of the device and its chassis or case, 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 still has value, as it provides a ranked categorization of devices. It also ranks some more obscure computer sizes.
Supercomputers
- Minisupercomputer
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
- Superminicomputer
- Minicluster (SFF / ITX)
- Server
- Workstation
Microcomputers
- Tower PC
- Mid-Tower PC
- Mini-Tower PC
- Personal computer (PC)
- Desktop computerâ"see computer form factor for some standardized sizes of desktop computers
- Home computer
Mobile computers
- Desktop replacement computer or desknote
- Laptop computer
- Notebook computer
- Subnotebook computer, also known as a Kneetop computer; clamshell varieties may also be known as minilaptop or ultraportable laptop computers
- Notebook computer
- Tablet personal computer
- Slabtop computers including "word-processing keyboards" and the TRS-80 Model 100
- Handheld computers, which include the classes:
-
- Ultra-mobile personal computer, or UMPC
- Personal digital assistant or enterprise digital assistant, which include:
- HandheldPC or Palmtop computer
- Pocket personal computer
- Electronic organizer
- Pocket computer
- Calculator, which includes the class:
- Graphing calculator
- Scientific calculator
- Programmable calculator
- Accounting / Financial Calculator
- Handheld game console
- Portable media player
- Portable data terminal
- Information appliance
- Smartphone, a class of mobile phone
- Feature phone
-
- Wearable computer
- Single board computer
- Wireless sensor network components
- Plug computer
- Microcontroller
- Smartdust
- Nanocomputer
Others
- Deskside computer - often strd. rack width but less than half of the typical rack height, esp. for mid-range servers (e.g. RS/6000 7025-F80), visualisation (e.g. Onyx Deskside) or vector processing (e.g. SX-6i).
- Cart computer
- Microsoft Sphere
- Rackmount/Framemount computer
- Multimedia server
- Blade server
- Blade PC
- Small form factor personal computer (SFF, ITX, DTX.etc.)
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 and somewhat humorous rule might help:
- You can throw a laptop if you wanted to
- You can lift a workstation if you need to
- You can tilt a minicomputer if you need to
- You cannot move a mainframe, even if you tried
Categories
- Category:Supercomputers
- Category:Mainframe computers
- Category:Minicomputers
- Category:Desktop computers
- Category:Cart computers
- Category:Portable computers
- Category:Mobile computers
- Category:Desktop replacement computers
- Category:Laptops
- Category:Notebooks
- Category:Tablet computers
- Category:Subnotebooks
- Category:Handheld computers
- Category:Pocket computers
- Category:Personal digital assistants
- Category:Enterprise Digital Assistants
- Category:Handheld PCs
- Category:Palmtops
- Category:Calculators
- Category:Handheld game consoles
- Category:Pocket PCs
- Category:Portable data terminals
- Category:Electronic organizers
- Category:Information appliances
- Category:Wearable computers
- Category:Embedded systems
- Category:Wireless sensor network
- Category:Smartdust
- Category:Nanocomputer
See also
- Classes of computers
- Computer form factor
- Form factor (design)