Minicomputer vs. Microcomputer — What's the Difference?

A mid-range computer that is less powerful than a mainframe but more powerful than a microcomputer.

A small, personal computer designed for individual use.

Designed for tasks requiring considerable computing power, serving multiple users.

Suitable for a wide range of applications, from word processing to gaming.

Known for its ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Can range from desktops to portable laptops and tablets.

Often used in businesses and universities before the widespread adoption of microcomputers.

Became widely accessible to the public, revolutionizing personal computing.

Could be part of a network, serving as a server or a dedicated processing unit.

Continues to evolve, becoming more powerful and compact.

A minicomputer, or colloquially mini, is a class of smaller general purpose computers that developed in the mid-1960s and sold for much less than mainframe and mid-size computers from IBM and its direct competitors. In a 1970 survey, The New York Times suggested a consensus definition of a minicomputer as a machine costing less than US$25,000 (equivalent to $167,000 in 2020), with an input-output device such as a teleprinter and at least four thousand words of memory, that is capable of running programs in a higher level language, such as Fortran or BASIC.The class formed a distinct group with its own software architectures and operating systems.

A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU). It includes a microprocessor, memory and minimal input/output (I/O) circuitry mounted on a single printed circuit board (PCB).

A mid-sized computer, usually fitting within a single cabinet about the size of a refrigerator, that has less memory than a mainframe.

A personal computer.

(computer hardware) A computer smaller than a mainframe, but larger than a microcomputer.

(computer hardware) A computer designed around a microprocessor, smaller than a minicomputer or a mainframe.

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.

A small computer based on a microprocessor; in practise, at any given time in the technology of computer development, a microcomputer will be one that is less powerful than a minicomputer.

A digital computer of medium size

A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time

Modern microcomputers can serve as servers for small-scale operations, thanks to their increased processing power and capabilities.

Microcomputers have significantly evolved to become more powerful and compact, capable of performing tasks that were once exclusive to larger computers.

Minicomputers played a crucial role in the early development of computer networks and the internet, being among the first to be used in research networks and small business operations.

Modern microcomputers often surpass the processing capabilities of historical minicomputers, thanks to technological advancements in computing power and efficiency.

Microcomputers have transformed personal computing by becoming ubiquitous in homes and offices, vastly expanding their applications and impact on daily life.

The widespread adoption of microcomputers has revolutionized how individuals work, communicate, and entertain themselves, making computing accessible to a broad public.

Minicomputers were generally not intended for individual use but were accessible to multiple users through terminals in business or research settings.

A minicomputer is a mid-sized computer more powerful than a microcomputer but less powerful than a mainframe, designed for multiple users, whereas a microcomputer is a small, personal computer for individual use.

Minicomputers were typically not used in home environments due to their size, cost, and complexity, being more common in business and academic settings.

The decline of minicomputers was due to the rise of more powerful and affordable microcomputers, which could perform similar tasks at a lower cost and with greater accessibility.