MINICOMPUTER Meaning and
Definition
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A minicomputer refers to a type of computer system that falls in between mainframe computers and microcomputers in terms of processing capabilities and size. It is a medium-sized computer designed for smaller organizations or specific purposes, offering more computing power than microcomputers but less than mainframes.
Typically, a minicomputer is capable of performing complex calculations, data processing, and managing multiple users simultaneously. It possesses relatively large memory capacity, faster processing speeds, and advanced input/output capabilities, making it suitable for tasks requiring more computational power than microcomputers can provide. Minicomputers often employ multi-user operating systems, enabling many users to utilize the system concurrently.
Originally introduced in the 1960s, minicomputers were smaller and more affordable alternatives to mainframe computers, making them accessible to medium-sized businesses, universities, and laboratories. Their size and power remained intermediate between mainframes and emerging microcomputers until the late 1980s when microcomputers eventually surpassed their processing capacities.
Today, the term "minicomputer" is less common as technology has advanced significantly, and systems that would be categorized as minicomputers in the past are now considered servers or workstations. Yet, the crucial historical significance of minicomputers in bridging the gap between mainframes and microcomputers remains noteworthy, highlighting their pivotal role in the evolution of computing.
Common Misspellings for MINICOMPUTER
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Etymology of MINICOMPUTER
The word "minicomputer" is a combination of two words: "mini" and "computer".
The word "mini" comes from the Latin word "minimus", meaning "smallest" or "least". It is used as a prefix to indicate something that is smaller, lesser, or more compact in size or scale.
The word "computer" ultimately derives from the Latin word "computare", which means "to calculate" or "to reckon". It originally referred to a person who performed calculations, but it started being used to designate machines capable of performing calculations in the mid-20th century.
Therefore, the term "minicomputer" was coined in the mid-1960s to describe the smaller and more affordable computers that emerged as a step between the massive mainframe computers of the time and the smaller desktop computers that would come later.
