Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!haven!uvaarpa!virginia!uvacs!mac
From: mac@uvacs.cs.Virginia.EDU (Alex Colvin)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: What is a Mainframe?
Summary: weight, environmental requirements
Keywords: micro mini main
Message-ID: <187@uvacs.cs.Virginia.EDU>
Date: 17 Jun 89 17:50:24 GMT
References: <125@ssp1.idca.tds.philips.nl> <20752@winchester.mips.COM> <4400@ficc.uu.net>
Distribution: comp.arch
Organization: University of Virginia
Lines: 9

Micro-, mini-, & main- frames:

Someone did this by weight - mini < 50 pounds, main > 500.

Good distinctions are by environment & support.

A micro doesn't need its own room.  A mainframe needs special air (& water?).

A micro doesn't need an administrator.  A mainframe needs an operator.