Minicomputer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A minicomputer is a midsized computer that is smaller and less powerful than a mainframe but larger and more capable than a personal computer. It was widely used in businesses and institutions from the 1960s to the 1980s for tasks like data processing and
Definition:
A mid-sized computer less powerful than a mainframe but more capable than a microcomputer.
Synonyms:
midrange computer, workstation, server
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
mainframe, supercomputer
Common Collocations:
minicomputer system, minicomputer era, minicomputer manufacturer
Derivatives:
minicomputing, minicomputerized
Usage Tips:
Use "minicomputer" to describe mid-sized computers from the 1960s–1980s before personal computers became dominant.
Common Phrases:
legacy minicomputer, vintage minicomputer, industrial minicomputer
Etymology:
Blend of "mini-" (small) and "computer," coined in the 1960s for smaller mainframe alternatives.
Examples:
- 1. The company replaced its mainframe with a faster minicomputer.
- 2. Minicomputers were widely used in universities during the 1970s.
- 3. She studied the history of early minicomputers in her thesis.
- 4. This old minicomputer still runs basic accounting software efficiently.