Mainframe computer

An IBM 704 mainframe introduced in 1954

Mainframes (also called "big iron")^[1] are powerful computers used for large information processing jobs. They are mainly used by government institutions and large companies for tasks such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing. They are distinct from supercomputers.

The term originally referred to the large cabinets that housed the central processing unit and main memory of early computers.^[2]^[3] Later the term was used to distinguish very big computers from less powerful ones ("minicomputers" or "personal computers").

Mainframe Computer Media

A single-frame IBM z15 mainframe. Larger capacity models can have up to four total frames. This model has blue accents, as compared with the LinuxONE III model with orange highlights.
A pair of IBM mainframes. On the left is the IBM z Systems z13. On the right is the IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper.
An IBM System z9 mainframe
Operator's console for an IBM 701

References

↑ IBM preps big iron fiesta (July 20, 2005)The Register.
↑ Oxford English Dictionary, on -line edition, mainframe, n
↑ Ebbers, Mike. Introduction to the New Mainframe: z/OS Basics (2006)IBM International Technical Support Organization. Retrieved 2007-06-01.

Template:Computer sizes

This short article about technology can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.

[1] IBM preps big iron fiesta (July 20, 2005)The Register.

[2] Oxford English Dictionary, on -line edition, mainframe, n

[3] Ebbers, Mike. Introduction to the New Mainframe: z/OS Basics (2006)IBM International Technical Support Organization. Retrieved 2007-06-01.

[1]

[2]

[3]