More details about different types of computers

[howren]

After some research online, I managed to get some names, pictures and bits of information about mainframes, minicomputers and supercomputers.

However, my experience of computers is almost all microcomputer-related or PC-related. The only way I can understand those other computers, apart from their cabinet-like or rack-mounted appearance, is to compare them with the specifications of a PC.

Unfortunately, after reading the things at IBM website, I hardly can understand what they are talking about; the content is cyclical, confusing, and very coded, as if they do not want others to know what they are doing or trying to sell - weird!!

Could some knowledgeable members help by filling in some of the missing details below about mainframes, minicomputers and supercomputers? I could only see the power, usage and potentials of computers through specifications like these, rather than the corporate languages and new terms like MIPS and CPW in sites such as IBM.

E.g. Microcomputers
ACER TravelMate 4001LCi
a) Total CPUs: 1
b) CPU brand : Intel Pentium M
c) CPU speed : 1.5 GHz
d) RAM : 256 MB
e) Hard disk : 40 GB (1)
f) Price : US$1,000
g) Total user: 1
h) Use : General-purpose

E.g. Minicomputer
1) Fujitsu PrimePower 850
a) Total CPUs: 16
b) CPU brand : SPARC64
c) CPU speed : 1.2 GHz
d) RAM : 2GB - 128GB
e) Hard disk : ?
f) Price : ?
g) Total user: 10 - ?
h) Use : Banks, Universities, Government

2) Wang VS300 (old technology)
a) Total CPUs: ?
b) CPU brand : ?
c) CPU speed : ?
d) RAM : ?
e) Hard disk : ?
f) Price : ?
g) Total user: 10 - ?
h) Use : Banks, ?, ?

E.g. Mainframe
1) IBM e-server z990
a) Total CPUs: 32
b) CPU brand : Power PC 5+
c) CPU speed : ?
d) RAM : ?
e) Hard disk : ?
f) Price : ?
g) Total user: 100 - ?
h) Use : Banks, Airline reservation, Oil exploration

2) another different mainframe brand?
a) Total CPUs: ?
b) CPU brand : ?
c) CPU speed : ?
d) RAM : ?
e) Hard disk : ?
f) Price : ?
g) Total user: ?
h) Use : ?

E.g. Supercomputer
1) IBM BlueGene/L
a) Total CPUs: ?
b) CPU brand : ?
c) CPU speed : ?
d) RAM : ?
e) Hard disk : ?
f) Price : ?
g) Total user: ?
h) Use : ?

2) Earth Simulator
a) Total CPUs: ?
b) CPU brand : ?
c) CPU speed : ?
d) RAM : ?
e) Hard disk : ?
f) Price : ?
g) Total user: ?
h) Use : Weather forecasting

[khurramali]

instead of leaning all this,

you should ask youself,

what purpose do you need a computer for

like home use, office use, gaming, superuser, high tech computing, as a server in your office etc.

once you know which role your computer will be playing in, it will become easier to shortlist the candidates in each catagory.

depending on your use of the computer. There are many websites like CNET, which have many articles on computers etc, just search google.

check out www.newegg.com for best prices, I like their website for tech shopping.

[howren]

Thanks for a reply from khurramali.

Unfortunately, I'm not planning to buy any computer.

I want to learn about computers. So your answer is not helping me to get information.

Can some other member help give a comparative evaluation in terms of the criteria that I had previously indicated?

Thanks.