The computers are available in different shapes, sizes, processing
capacity and performance. A computer used in a home is very different
from the computer being used for business applications. According to
capabilities, performance, and cost, computers can be easily classified
as mini computers, super computers, mainframe computers, and micro
computers. We are here to discuss only super computers and mini
computers. Super computers are undoubtedly the fastest, most powerful
and the most expensive type of computers with unparalleled processing
capabilities and are primarily used for scientific research and
forecasting. Mini computers are the medium-sized computers that can vary
in power from a very large and powerful micro to small mainframes. Mini
computers are sometimes called mid-range computers and are popular
among medium sized companies. Supercomputers are the most powerful
machines on the planet while mini computers are smaller mid-sized
machines. Let’s take a look how the two differ in terms of speed and
size, performance, and applications.
What is a Mini-Computer?
Mini computers are mid-sized computers that fall somewhere between
smaller mainframes and powerful micro computers. They are a class of
multi-user computers that can perform the same kind of tasks as a
mainframe computer but have less storage capacity, processing power and
speed than a mainframe computer but more than that of micro computers.
Mini computers are a step down from mainframe computers when it comes to
speed and storage capacity. In the early 1960s, Digital Equipment
Corporation started shipping its PDP series computers, which the press
described as mini computers because of their small size compared to
other computers of the day. A mini computer is a small digital computer
designed to meet the computing needs for several people simultaneously
in a small to medium sized business environment. Basically, it is a
functional intermediate between a micro computer and a mainframe
computer.
What is a Super Computer?
Super computers, as the name suggests, are the most powerful computing
machines on the planet and the ultimate engine of the information age
known for their unparalleled processing capabilities. Supercomputers are
at the top of the spectrum and are capable of processing trillions of
instructions per second. The processing speed of a supercomputer is
measured in floating point operations per second (FLOPS). Supercomputers
have the highest processing speed at a given time for solving
scientific and engineering problems. The processing speed of a
supercomputer lies in the range of 400-10,000 millions of floating point
operation per second (MFLOPS). Because of this, they are used in a wide
range of applications. They have speed in the range of 100-900 MIPS.
Supercomputers are capable enough to process a great deal of information
and make extensive calculations rather quickly and efficiently. In
2003, India developed a supercomputer named PARAM Padma which marked an
important step towards high-performance computing.
Difference between Minicomputer and Supercomputer
Size
Mini-computers are standalone mid-sized machines that fall somewhere
between smaller mainframes and powerful micro computers. They are the
medium-sized computers that can vary in power from a very large and
powerful micro to small mainframes. They are floor-standing or desktop
machines, mainly connected to a mainframe computer to perform subsidiary
operations. Supercomputers, on the other hand, are the most powerful
computing machines on the planet with superior processing capabilities.
Supercomputers are massive in size and can occupy few feet to hundreds
of feet. They are a class of insanely powerful computers that can occupy
a server room the size of two tennis courts.
Speed
Supercomputers are the special purpose machines with unparalleled
processing capabilities and can perform hundreds of millions of
instructions per second. The processing speed of a supercomputer lies in
the range of 400-10,000 millions of floating point operation per second
(MFLOPS). They have speed in the range of 100-900 MIPS. They are the
fastest computers available on the planet. Mini-computers, on the other
hand, are mid-range machines with processing speed in the range of 10-30
MIPS. It’s a multi-user device capable of supporting up to hundreds of
users simultaneously.
Functions
Minicomputers serve as a centralized powerhouse for a cluster of
workstations or as a network server. They are functionally intermediate
between a microcomputer and a mainframe computer. Some minicomputers are
uni-processor systems whereas some are multi-processor systems. They
are ideal for use within a department in a college or university, or for
use in a medium sized business environment. Supercomputers, on the
other hand, are primarily used for scientific research and forecasting.
They are used in fields that require vast amounts of complex
mathematical calculations, scientific simulations, fluid dynamic
calculations, nuclear energy research, and geological data analysis.
Summary
Mini computers are the medium-sized computers that can vary in power
from a very large and powerful micro to small mainframes, and are
popular among medium-sized business environment. They are floor-standing
or desktop machines, mainly connected to a mainframe computer to
perform subsidiary operations. Supercomputers, on the other hand, are
the most powerful and the fastest class of computers on the planet with
superior processing capabilities and are capable of processing trillions
of instructions per second.