minicomputer

minicomputer
    n 1: a digital computer of medium size
    

minicomputer \minicomputer\ n. (Computers)
   a mid-sized digital computer; at any given point in the
   development of computer technology, a minicomputer will be
   faster and have greater capacity than a {microcomputer}, but
   will be slower and have less capacity than a {mainframe
   computer}.
   [WordNet 1.5]
    

minicomputer

   <computer> A computer built between about 1963 and 1987,
   smaller and less powerful than a {mainframe}, typically about
   the size and shape of a wardrobe, mounted in a single tall
   rack.

   Minicomputers were characterised by short {word} lengths of 8
   to 32 {bits}, limited hardware and software facilities and
   small physical size.  Their low cost made them suitable for a
   wide variety of applications such as industrial control, where
   a small, dedicated computer which is permanently assigned to
   one application, is needed. In recent years, improvements in
   device technology have resulted in minicomputers which are
   comparable in performance to large {second generation
   computers} and greatly exceed the performance of {first
   generation} {computers}.

   The processor was typically built using low integration logic
   {integrated circuits} - {TTL} or maybe {ECL}, thus
   distinguishing it from a {microcomputer} which is built around
   a {microprocessor} - a processor on a single (or maybe a few)
   ICs.

   {DEC}'s {PDP-1} was the first minicomputer and their {PDP-11}
   was the most successful, closely followed (in both time and
   success) by the {VAX} (which {DEC} called a "{super
   minicomputer}").

   Another early minicomputer was the {LINC} developed at {MIT} in
   1963.

   Other minicomputers were the {AS/400}, the {PRIME} series, the
   {AP-3}, {Olivetti}'s {Audit 7} and the {Interdata 8/32}.

   [Others?]

   (2004-05-12)