Minicomputer
1.Minicomputer: The Midrange Workhorses of Early Computing Minicomputers, also known as midrange computers, were a class of computing systems that emerged in the 1960s to fill the gap between large-scale mainframes and smaller personal computers. Though largely obsolete today, minicomputers played a pivotal role in democratizing computing power for laboratories, small businesses, and industrial control systems. They offered multi-user capabilities, moderate performance, and affordability — making them a popular choice for organizations that couldn’t justify the cost or complexity of a mainframe. Historical Background 2.Architecture and Features Minicomputers were designed to be more compact and affordable than mainframes, while still supporting multiple users and moderate workloads. 3.Real-World Example: DEC VAX-11/780 To understand a minicomputer in practice, let’s look at the...
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