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Minicomputer facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A minicomputer was a special kind of computer. It was smaller than a huge mainframe, but bigger than a tiny microcomputer (like your desktop PC). Minicomputers had many of the powerful features of larger computers, but they were much smaller in size.

Minicomputers often used a device called a terminal. A terminal combines a keyboard and a screen into one unit. This allowed many people to use the same minicomputer at the same time.

What is a Minicomputer?

Minicomputers were a type of computer that came between the very large and powerful mainframe computers and the smaller, more personal microcomputers. Think of them as a middle-sized computer. They were designed to be more affordable and easier to use than mainframes.

How Minicomputers Fit In

Mainframes were huge machines, often filling entire rooms. They were used by big companies and governments. Microcomputers, like the personal computers you use today, were much smaller and designed for one person. Minicomputers offered a good balance. They were powerful enough for many businesses and scientific tasks, but didn't need as much space or money as a mainframe.

What Were They Used For?

Minicomputers were mostly used as small or medium-sized servers. A server is a powerful computer that provides services to other computers on a network. They helped run important business tasks and scientific projects. For example, they might manage a company's inventory or help scientists process data.

Over time, the term "minicomputer" became less common. This is because many of their jobs are now done by powerful servers or even advanced personal computers. Sometimes, minicomputers were also called "mid-range computers."

Images for kids

  • PDP-8

    Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-8 on display at the National Museum of American History

  • Data General Nova SN 1.agr.JPG

    Data General Nova, serial number 1, on display at the Computer History Museum

  • Pdp-11-40.jpg

    A PDP-11, model 40, an early member of DECs 16-bit minicomputer family, on display at the Vienna Technical Museum

  • Raytheon RDS 500 configured as Com*MAND II seismic processing system

    Raytheon RDS 500 seismic processing system in Benghazi in 1978

  • RDS 704 onsite seismic processing system

    Raytheon RDS 704 onsite seismic processing system in Mogadishu in 1974

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Minicomputer Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.