Types of Computers by Size and Power

• Supercomputers: Thousands of processors working together, used for scientific research, weather forecasting and training AI models.

• Mainframes: Serve thousands of users at the same time, and are relied on by banks, airlines and government agencies.

• Minicomputers: Serve a limited number of users in mid-sized companies and factories, and have largely been replaced by servers today.

• Personal computers (microcomputers): Built for a single user, and include desktops, laptops and tablets.

By processing method: analog, digital (the basis of every modern device) and hybrid (as in patient monitoring equipment).

By purpose: general-purpose computers (desktops and laptops) and special-purpose computers inside cars and ATMs.

The last category in the first classification is the one you actually buy, and it is the focus of the rest of this guide.

Personal Computer Types You Can Buy Today

Desktop PC

• Strengths: The best performance for the price, better cooling, and almost every part can be upgraded.

• Limits: Not portable, and it needs space.

• Best for: Working from a fixed spot and heavy tasks.

Browse desktop computers to compare specs and prices.

Gaming PC

A desktop designed for gaming, with a powerful graphics card, a high-frequency processor and advanced cooling. You can buy it ready-made, or as a product bundle (a "bundle") whose remaining parts you complete and install yourself (details in the next section).

• Strengths: Modern games at high resolution and frame rates, and it also suits video editing and streaming.

• Limits: Higher price and power consumption, and it needs good ventilation, especially in the summer heat in Saudi Arabia.

Browse ready-made gaming PCs or gaming PC bundles. To choose a card, see our guide to graphics card types.

All-in-One PC

The components sit inside the screen. It saves space and cables, but it is hard to upgrade and performs below a desktop at the same price. It suits offices and everyday home use. Browse all-in-one computers.

Mini PC

Small enough to mount behind a monitor, quiet and low on power use, but limited for gaming and heavy tasks. Browse mini PCs.

Laptop

Portable, with a screen and battery in a single body. It comes in several kinds:

• Everyday laptop: For study and office work.

• Ultrabook: Thin and light, with long battery life.

• Business laptop: Such as ThinkPad and Latitude, durable and secure. Browse business laptops.

• Gaming laptop: A dedicated graphics card and stronger cooling.

• Workstation laptop: For engineers and designers on the move.

Laptop upgrades are usually limited to RAM and storage. Browse laptops in all categories.

2-in-1 Devices

A touchscreen laptop that folds or detaches into a tablet. It suits students and anyone who takes notes with a pen.

Workstation

Multi-core processors such as Xeon or Threadripper, error-correcting memory and professional graphics cards. Built for engineering, rendering and data analysis. Browse workstations.

Tablets, Servers and Thin Clients

Tablets are for reading and digital drawing, a server hosts websites and databases, and a thin client is a simple device that relies on a central server in companies and banks.

Gaming PC Bundle or Ready-Made PC?

A ready-made PC works as soon as you buy it. Our gaming PC bundle is a product bundle that we sell together in a single order at a lower price than buying the items separately. It is not an assembled or installed computer: we do not put the parts together or install them. You receive the five items (graphics card, RAM, cooler, case and monitor), then you complete the processor, motherboard, power supply and storage, and install everything yourself or through a technician. The benefit is that you choose those four parts yourself and control future upgrades, and you avoid compatibility problems among the five items because they are verified in advance.

All four bundles below are built around an RTX 5070 with 12GB GDDR7, 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 6000MHz, a 360mm ARGB liquid cooler with a screen that shows CPU temperature, and a case with seven ARGB fans. Prices include VAT with no customs fees at delivery, and you can split the payment through Tamara or Tabby with no interest.

CIT Stores Gaming PC bundle – Lowest Price

• X-Space case, a 25-inch FHD monitor at 210Hz with 0.5ms response time, and CL30 RAM.

• SAR 6,499, or 4 payments of SAR 1,625.

• Best for: fast competitive games at the lowest price.

CIT Stores Gaming PC Bundle with Panoramic Lighting

• Mavera Pro case, a 25-inch FHD monitor at 210Hz, and CL38 RAM.

• SAR 6,649, or 4 payments of SAR 1,662.

• Best for: anyone who cares about how the setup looks as much as how it performs.

CIT Store White 2K Gaming PC Setup Bundle

• White Galaxy case, a 27-inch 2K monitor at 210Hz, and CL30 RAM.

• SAR 6,749, or 4 payments of SAR 1,687.

• Best for: 1440p gaming and an all-white setup.

CIT Store gaming PC bundle with a black case

• Lightning 7 case, a 27-inch 2K monitor at 210Hz, and CL38 RAM.

• SAR 6,849, or 4 payments of SAR 1,712.

• Best for: 1440p gaming and design work.

The difference between 25-inch FHD and 27-inch 2K is that the first suits high frame rates in competitive games, and the second suits sharpness and color (134% of sRGB) in cinematic games and design. For RAM, CL30 has lower latency than CL38 at the same 6000MHz speed.

What is missing to complete the bundle?

1. Processor: suits AMD AM5 and Intel 12th generation and newer.

2. Motherboard: ATX with DDR5 support.

3. Power supply: 750W is recommended for the RTX 5070.

4. SSD storage.

Browse all bundles or gaming PC parts individually.

How to Choose the Right Type of Computer

1. Where will you use it? A fixed spot means a desktop or all-in-one, and moving around means a laptop or 2-in-1.

2. What is the heaviest task? Documents and browsing are covered by simple devices, while gaming and video editing need a gaming PC or a workstation.

3. Do you want to upgrade later? A desktop or a bundle is the most flexible.

4. Do you want to choose your own parts? If yes, a bundle. If not, a ready-made PC.

5. How much space and budget do you have? Small spaces suit all-in-ones and mini PCs, and a desktop gives you higher performance for the same money.

Desktop vs Laptop at a Glance

• Performance: A desktop is usually stronger at the same price.

• Upgrades: A desktop can be fully upgraded, while a laptop is limited.

• Mobility: A laptop is the only option.

• Heat: A desktop handles long, heavy loads better, which is clear in the Saudi summer heat.

• Maintenance: A desktop is easier and cheaper to repair.

Common Mistakes

• Buying a gaming laptop for fixed use at home, when a desktop is stronger and cheaper.

• Choosing a mini PC or all-in-one for heavy tasks its design cannot handle.

• Buying a power supply below 750W for an RTX 5070.

• Spending the whole budget on the bundle without counting the processor, motherboard, power supply and storage.

What are the types of computers?

By size: supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers and personal computers. What we actually buy are personal computers in their various forms: desktops, laptops, all-in-ones, mini PCs and tablets.

What is the most commonly used type of computer?

Personal computers, which include desktops, laptops and tablets.

What is the difference between a workstation and a gaming PC?

A gaming PC is designed for the highest graphics performance in games, while a workstation is designed for stability in professional software, with components such as error-correcting memory and professional graphics cards.

What is the difference between a bundle and a ready-made PC?

A ready-made PC is assembled and works right away. A bundle is a set of compatible products that we sell together, and you complete the processor, motherboard and storage and install the parts yourself.

Does the bundle include the processor, motherboard and power supply?

No. It is a bundle of the graphics card, RAM, cooler, case and monitor. We do not assemble or install it, and you need to complete it with the four parts listed above.

Which bundle suits 1440p?

Product Bundle 3 or Product Bundle 4, since both come with a 27-inch 2K monitor.

What is the best type of computer for students?

A laptop is usually best for mobility, while engineering and design students may need a powerful desktop at home.

Types of computers are classified by size, processing method and purpose, but what you buy comes down to personal computers. A laptop is for mobility, a ready-made PC is for anyone who does not want to think about parts, and a bundle is for anyone who wants to pick the remaining parts and upgrade later. If gaming is your goal, start with the monitor (25-inch for speed or 27-inch 2K for picture quality), then choose the case, and complete the four missing parts. Browse CIT Store bundles or ready-made gaming PCs, with delivery in 2 to 5 days.