What’s a mini PC?

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Minicomputers are computers that sit somewhere between a microcomputer and a mainframe computer. In the past, such devices were typically self-contained computers, ideal for use by small to medium-sized businesses that needed more power and memory than microcomputers could provide, but didn’t need the resources provided by mainframes. More recently, the term is often used for a server that is part of a larger network.

In the early years of computer technology, a hierarchy of computer sizes and types was used to define the level of operation needed for different types of applications. Levels ranged from embedded systems that worked more or less automatically, to parallel processing systems that were capable of supporting a huge network of interconnected computers and performing a wide range of tasks simultaneously. The minicomputer tended to be a bit lower in the hierarchy, as the device was considered to be of limited capability.

Its original structure was a simple computer system equipped with essential programs and functions that would handle simple tasks, such as word processing. The computer was equipped with terminals that allowed peripheral devices to be connected to the system, such as a printer, but usually lacked the hardware or software that allowed the device to be integrated into a larger network. If you didn’t need to use full-blown applications or interact with other systems, however, the system was often sufficient.

Over time, the concept has become somewhat outdated. As technology has continued to evolve, many tasks that were once the exclusive responsibility of larger and more powerful mainframe computers have been taken over by today’s workstation computers. Mainframes are still used, although their purpose and function is often associated with the role of a large server to support a network of workstations. Likewise, the minicomputer has turned into an ideal server for smaller, more localized networks.

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