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Difference between Mainframe and Minicomputer
Both Mainframe computers and Minicomputers are types of digital computers. A mainframe computer has much more features, larger memory, and high processing speed as compared to a minicomputer. Initially, mainframe computers were developed to be utilized as servers, whereas minicomputers were designed to fulfil the need of midsized high speed computing device. Hence, mainframe computers and minicomputers are quite different from each other.
Read this article to find out more about mainframe computers and minicomputer and how they are different from each other.
What is a Mainframe Computer?
Mainframe computers are largesized computers having high processing speed and larger memory capacity. A typical mainframe computer could cover an entire room. Mainframe computers are generally used for a centralized location where its CPU is connected to multiple terminal, i.e. I/O devices. Hence, a mainframe computer is a multiuser computer system. It also supports multiprogramming functionality.
In practice, mainframe computers are used in the applications where the very high processing speed is needed such as in railways and airline reservation systems, banking servers, large industries, etc.
What is a Minicomputer?
Minicomputers are midsized computers. Minicomputers generally have relatively smaller physical size, less storage capacity, and less processing speed. For all these reasons, the minicomputers are quite cheaper than mainframe computers. A typical minicomputer can handle around 200 users simultaneously.
The first minicomputer was PDP8 which is developed by DEC in 1969. Initially, it was designed using discrete transistors.
Minicomputers are used in those applications where the data processing is to be distributed among several minicomputers instead of using a single mainframe computer. An example of such an application is realtime data processing.
Difference between Mainframe and Minicomputer
The important differences between a mainframe computer and a minicomputer are listed in the following table
| S. No. | Mainframe Computer | Minicomputer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The size of the disk is large. | The size of disk is small. |
| 2. | They have large memory storage. | They have less memory storage in comparison to mainframes. |
| 3. | The speed of processing is fast in comparison to minicomputer. | Their processing speed is less in comparison to mainframes. |
| 4. | They are more expensive. | It is not as expensive as mainframes. |
| 5. | The first successful mainframe computer was invented by IBM. | The first microcomputer was invented by Bill Pentz. |
| 6. | They can be used to work with thousands and millions of users simultaneously. | It can support working of hundreds of users simultaneously. |
| 7. | Their processing speed is in the range of 3 to 4 MIPS and can go up to 100 MIPS. | Their processing speed is in the range of 10 to 30 MIPS. |
Conclusion
Mainframe computers were developed to provide reliable and secure I/O facility with very high processing speed, whereas minicomputers were developed to fill the gap between the mainframe computers and microcomputers. The most significant difference that you should note here is that mainframe computers were developed to utilize as severs, while minicomputers were developed to utilize as workstations.