mini versus micro?

[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Tue, 17 May 2005 Saquinn624 at aol.com wrote:

> One thing that I have been wondering for a while is what the current
> definition of minicomputer is.
> It used to be contrasted with microcomputers, the telling difference being a
> multichip processor implementation versus a single-chip microprocessor [if so,
> are the POWER1 and POWER2 processors
> minicomputer processors?] but now, with microprocessors being used in
> mainframes (and even on-topic mainframes) is this distinction meaningless [i.e.
> should the designation "microcomputer" in its size/power context be replaced with
> something else?] and, if so, does the [whatever micro becomes]/mini/mainframe
> become a question of mass (>700 lbs mainframe, >100 lbs mini, <100 lbs [???]),
> or history (the HP3000 started life as a mini, therefore the spectrum models
> continue as minis . . .), or does the venerable minicomputer cease to exist?
> any other ideas?

We had to address this issue for the VCF.  In deciding what classes to
create, we decided on Microcomputer and "Mini, Multi-User, or Larger
Computer", with the following definitions:

1. Microcomputer

A "microcomputer" is defined as a computer having no more than two
microprocessors used for general purpose processing within the computer.
For the purposes of this class, a "microprocessor" is defined as a central
processing unit comprised of not more than 4 individual LSI intgerated
circuit on a single board, with the entire ALU being contained within a
single integrated circuit.

2. Mini, Multi-User, or Larger Computer

This class encompasses all computers that were intended primarily to be
used by multiple simultaneous users (i.e. mainframes), or that were
smaller (in terms of size and power consumption) than mainframe computers
but utilized a central processing unit comprised of many discrete or
integrated circuit components either on a single carrier or across
multiple carriers.

Comments welcome.

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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