Article for freelancers: List of computer size categories

List of computer size categories

By Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_size_categories

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This list of computer size categories attempts to list commonly used categories of computer by size, in descending order of size. Of course, one generation's "supercomputer" is the next generation's "mainframe", and a "PDA" doesn't have the same set of functions as a "laptop", but the list should have some recognition value. It also ranks some more obscure computer sizes.

Supercomputer, which include the class:
- Minisupercomputer
Mainframe computer
Rackmount/Framemount computer
Minicomputer, which include the class:
Deskside computer
Microcomputer, which include the classes:
- Personal computer
  - Desktop computer
  - Home computer
Cart computer
Portable computer (or luggable computer)
Small form factor
Blade server
Mobile computers, which include the classes:
- Desktop replacement computer or desknote
- Laptop computer, also known as a Notebook computer
- Subnotebook computer, also known as a Kneetop computer
- Tablet personal computer (as defined by Microsoft)
- Handheld computers, which include the classes:
  - Ultra-Mobile personal computer
  - Personal digital assistant or enterprise digital assistant, which include:
    - Handheld personal computer (as defined by Microsoft), also known as Palmtop computer
    - Pocket personal computer (as defined by Microsoft)
  - Electronic organizer
  - Pocket computer
  - Calculator, which includes the class:
    - Graphing calculator
  - Handheld game console
  - Portable data terminal
  - Information appliance
    - Smartphone, a class of mobile phone
    - Q Smartphone,(QWERTY Smartphone) a class of mobile phone
- Wearable computer
Embedded computer
Wireless sensor network components
Microcontroller
Smartdust
Nanocomputer

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 rule might help:

You can throw a laptop
You can lift a workstation
You can tilt a minicomputer
You can't move a mainframe

Categories

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