Comparison microcomputer (PC) & mainframe

Microcomputer (PC)	Mainframe
Type/size
Desktop/workstation, Laptop, Palmtop	Small fridge
Cost
$3000, $5000, $1000	$1.5 million +
User friendliness
Data & programs managed by the user
Speed
High speed processing as single-user Pentium 166 = 81.3 MIPS
Storage
Memory 1998 RAM - 32MB Storage 1998 - 2-4GB Hard Disk 640MB CD-ROM 1.44 MB Floppy disk drive Tape
Multiuser features
Complexity of tasks GUI interface Number of simultaneous users MS-DOS/Windows = single user Windows NT/Novell = networked
Software types
Operating system Win95/98 - single user/multitasking Win NT/Unix - mutiuser/multitasking Applications "off-the -shelf" Development Wide variety
Support
User is Operator and Data Administrator Deal with many vendors (for various hardware components, and various software products) Limited vendor support Software/Hardware Read the manual Front line support by retailer
Data features
Data sharing low, even using a LAN Data integrity Personal level. What level of error can the user tolerate? Data security minimal. Backup over to user.