Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
What are the four main classes of computers?
Personal, server, supercomputer, and embedded — spanning everyday machines down to the hidden controllers in cars and appliances.
* Computers fall into four broad classes that trade off capability, reliability, and cost. *
| Class | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Personal computers | General purpose, variety of software, cost/performance tradeoff |
| Server computers | Network-based, high capacity/performance/reliability, range from small servers to large data centers |
| Supercomputers | High-end scientific/engineering calculations, highest capability but small market share |
| Embedded computers | Hidden components of systems (cars, appliances, IoT), stringent power/performance/cost constraints |
Go deeper:
Classes of computers (Wikipedia) — the full taxonomy (personal/micro, server, mainframe/supercomputer, embedded) by purpose, function and scale.- Embedded system (Wikipedia) — the least-familiar of the four classes: dedicated-function computers with processor, memory and I/O baked into a larger device.