Final answer:
A minicomputer is the class of computer best suited for a small business acting as a server for multiple PCs because it supports many users and offers substantial processing capabilities. Today, high-end personal computers or servers, equipped with powerful microprocessors, can perform the roles traditionally held by minicomputers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class of computer best suited for acting as a server for multiple PCs and handling various users running different applications for a small business would be a minicomputer. Minicomputers were designed to support many users simultaneously and are lower in computing capacity compared to mainframes. Historically, thanks to the mass production of general-purpose computers, minicomputers became widely available for various government and private applications, despite initially being more expensive and beyond the reach of average users. Over time, with technological advancements, the power that once was exclusively within the domain of minicomputers is now often fulfilled by high-end personal computers or servers that can efficiently manage networked environments, offer substantial processing capabilities, and support numerous users.
In the past, examples of minicomputers include the Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP-12 or IBM's early offerings. However, the need for such computers in small businesses can now be met with modern servers based on microprocessors, which embody the processing power of a whole computer within a single integrated circuit. These modern solutions have enabled powerful and cost-effective servers suitable for small businesses, rendering traditional minicomputers virtually obsolete for such applications.