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Part of the book series: Macmillan Computer Science Series

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Abstract

Minicomputers are cheaper, smaller and easier to install than main-frame machines, but need be very little inferior in raw computing power. Minicomputers are therefore increasingly used for all the same purposes as main-frames. In addition there are several areas of application for which the minicomputer is particularly suitable because of its low cost, reliability and simplicity of operation. These applications are all ‘dedicated’; that is, the minicomputer is installed for one purpose only, and is not switched from program to program like a general-purpose computer.

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© 1980 Andrew J. T. Colin

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Colin, A.J.T. (1980). Minicomputers. In: Fundamentals of Computer Science. Macmillan Computer Science Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16350-2_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16350-2_17

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-30503-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-16350-2

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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