Final answer:
Computers range from personal desktops to supercomputers, with types including Apple, Commodore, Tandy and Macintosh models, as well as the Altair 8800 and NASA's supercomputers. They have evolved from mini computers to powerful devices that we have individual relationships with, greatly increasing efficiency in various tasks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Computers come in a variety of types, characterized by their processing power, functionalities, and size. They range from personal computers that we use in our daily lives to highly sophisticated supercomputers used in advanced research and data processing.
The journey of development started with mini computers, eventually leading to the release of personal computers by companies like Apple, Commodore, and Tandy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Intel Corporation played a crucial role, with their creation of microprocessors revolutionizing computing power while the advent of computers such as the Macintosh and the Altair 8800 added user-friendliness.
Personal computing then evolved from a single desktop computer for the whole family to a truly 'personal' relationship each individual has with their devices. These devices have greatly increased efficiency in a wide range of tasks, from typing to data management. Today, we also have supercomputers like those at NASA's Ames Research Center which are capable of tracking the motions of more than a million objects under their mutual gravitation.
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