Examples of Mainframe Computer – IBM, Fujitsu & More

Published: 28 Feb 2025

Did you know that mainframe computers handle 90% of credit card transactions worldwide? These powerful machines process vast amounts of data every second, ensuring seamless operations for banks, airlines, and government institutions. Over the years, companies like IBM, Fujitsu, and Unisys have developed some of the most advanced mainframes. Let’s explore 10 examples of mainframe computer, their uses, and how they continue to support critical industries today.

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10 Examples of Mainframe Computer

Mainframe computers are powerful machines that handle large amounts of data for industries like banking, government, and healthcare. These computers are built to manage critical tasks and run smoothly without interruptions. Many companies have developed different types of mainframe computers over the years. Here are 10 examples of mainframe computers:

IBM Z Series
UNIVAC 1100 Series
Fujitsu GS21 Series
Honeywell 6000 Series
ICL 2900 Series
Hitachi Z-Series
Bull DPX Series
Hewlett-Packard NonStop
Burroughs B5000
Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX Series

So, guys, let’s get started and go through all the examples of mainframe computers in detail.

IBM Z Series

The IBM Z Series is a strong and secure mainframe computer. It is designed to handle big data and important tasks. Many large businesses use it for fast and safe computing.

Uses

The IBM Z Series is helpful in many industries.

Banks use it for secure online transactions.
Airlines manage flight bookings and passenger records.
Large businesses store and process customer data.
Governments use it to handle official records.

Key Benefits & Limitations

The IBM Z Series has strong benefits but also some drawbacks.

Benefits
Fast and reliable for big businesses. High security to prevent cyberattacks. It can handle huge amounts of data easily. Energy-efficient compared to older mainframes.

Limitations

Drawbacks
Very expensive to buy and maintain. Needs skilled professionals to operate. It requires a lot of space for setup. Upgrading can be complex and costly.

History

IBM introduced the Z Series in 2000 to improve computing security. Over the years, IBM added better speed, cloud support, and AI features. The latest versions offer even stronger security and faster performance. Today, many industries depend on the IBM Z Series for critical operations.

UNIVAC 1100 Series

The UNIVAC 1100 Series is a powerful mainframe computer used for handling large amounts of data. It is built to perform complex calculations and run important business and government operations smoothly. It is known for its strong reliability and remains trusted in many industries.

Uses

The UNIVAC 1100 Series is used in many different fields.

It helps businesses manage large amounts of data.
Governments use it for record-keeping and data analysis.
Research organizations use it for scientific computing.
It processes financial transactions in banks.

Pros & Cons

The UNIVAC 1100 Series has several benefits but also some downsides.

Pros

Benefits
It can process large amounts of data quickly. Reliable and stable for important tasks. Suitable for complex calculations. Trusted by many big organizations for long-term use.

Cons

Downsides
Difficult to upgrade or replace. It requires a lot of electricity to run. The system is not portable. Expensive to maintain for small businesses.

History

The UNIVAC 1100 Series was introduced in the 1960s to tackle complex calculations and data processing. Over time, it became one of the most trusted systems for large organizations.

Fujitsu GS21 Series

The Fujitsu GS21 Series is a mainframe computer known for its speed and reliability. It is designed to manage large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. Many large companies trust this system for their most important and time-sensitive tasks.

Uses

The Fujitsu GS21 Series is used in many different industries.

It stores and processes large amounts of data.
Banks use it for secure financial transactions.
Governments rely on it for data management.
Scientists use it for complex research and simulations.

Pros & Challenges

The Fujitsu GS21 Series has benefits and challenges.

Pros

Benefits
Processes data quickly and efficiently. Very reliable for business tasks. Secure system for important data. Handles large tasks without issues.

Challenges

Challenges
High installation and maintenance costs. Needs skilled operators for smooth functioning. Takes up a lot of physical space. Upgrades can be expensive.

History

The Fujitsu GS21 Series was launched in the early 2000s. It was developed by Fujitsu, a leading computer technology company. It was built for large enterprises with big data needs. The system was designed to handle secure processing. It became a trusted solution for business-critical operations.

Honeywell 6000 Series

The Honeywell 6000 Series is a mainframe computer used for large-scale data management. It is designed for high-performance tasks and can handle complex calculations. Industries use this system to ensure smooth and secure operations.

Uses

The Honeywell 6000 Series has various uses in different fields.

It is used for processing and managing large databases.
It helps in controlling industrial machines and systems.
Governments rely on it to process critical information.

Strengths & Limitations

The Honeywell 6000 Series offers both great features and some challenges.

Strengths

Features
Fast data processing for complex tasks. Very reliable in handling large data sets. Secure for managing important business data. Great for controlling machines in manufacturing sectors.

Limitations

Challenges
Installation and maintenance can be costly. Needs highly skilled professionals to operate. Requires a lot of physical space. Upgrades and expansions may be expensive.

History

The Honeywell 6000 Series was first introduced in the 1970s. It was made to support industries with increasing data processing needs. The system was built to handle complex operations and speed up task management. Over the years, it became widely adopted in critical industries.

ICL 2900 Series

The ICL 2900 Series is a strong mainframe computer built for large-scale data processing. It was designed to help organizations manage complex tasks efficiently. Known for its reliability, this system became popular in both the public and private sectors.

Uses

The ICL 2900 Series has various uses in different industries.

It is used to manage and store large volumes of data.
It helps in running large financial transactions and banking operations.
The system is used in scientific research to handle complex calculations.
Governments rely on it to process sensitive information and records.

Key Benefits & Drawbacks

The ICL 2900 Series has many benefits but also a few challenges.

Benefits
High-speed processing for large tasks. Reliable system for long-term use. Great for managing sensitive data. Easy to scale for different business needs.

Drawbacks

Drawbacks
High installation and maintenance costs. Requires specialized professionals to operate. A large physical space is needed for setup.

History

The ICL 2900 Series was introduced in the 1980s. It was built to help organizations meet the growing need for powerful computing systems. The system provided high-performance computing and improved task management. Over time, it became an essential tool for businesses and government agencies.

Hitachi Z-Series

The Hitachi Z-Series is a high-performance mainframe computer known for its reliability. It is designed to support large-scale data processing and complex applications. This series has become popular in industries like banking, healthcare, and government due to its advanced capabilities.

Uses

The Hitachi Z-Series is widely used across various industries for different purposes.

It is used to process large amounts of business data efficiently.
It helps financial institutions to handle complex transactions.
The system is used in the healthcare sector to manage patient records.
It supports government agencies in managing and processing sensitive data.

Good Points & Challenges

The Hitachi Z-Series offers excellent performance but comes with some challenges.

Pros
High-speed processing for large tasks. Reliable for long-term, heavy-duty operations. Scalable system for growing business needs. Secure system for handling sensitive data.

Challenges

Cons
High cost for installation and maintenance. Needs skilled professionals to manage the system. Upgrades can be complex and costly.

History

The Hitachi Z-Series was introduced to the market in the 1990s. It was designed to meet the growing demand for powerful computing systems. The series has evolved over time, offering better performance and higher reliability. Today, it is an essential tool for industries that require secure and efficient data management.

Bull DPX Series

The Bull DPX Series is a high-performance mainframe. It is fast, reliable, and perfect for large-scale data processing. Many businesses and governments trust it for critical tasks.

Uses

The Bull DPX Series is used in several fields.

It processes business transactions.
It handles government applications.
It supports research for scientific data.
It is used in the financial sector for data management.

Strong Features & Weak Areas

The Bull DPX Series has many benefits but some challenges, too.

Benefits
Fast data processing. Reliable for heavy tasks. Secure sensitive data. Scalable for growing needs.

Weak Areas

Drawbacks
High cost for setup and maintenance. Requires skilled professionals. Needs a large physical space. Upgrades can be expensive.

History

The Bull DPX Series was introduced in the 1980s. It was made to handle complex tasks. Over time, it became more reliable and efficient. Today, it is essential for businesses needing secure data management.

Hewlett-Packard NonStop

Hewlett-Packard NonStop is a reliable and fault-tolerant mainframe system. It is built for continuous, high-availability operations. This system is used in industries where uptime is critical, such as banking and telecommunications.

Uses

Hewlett-Packard NonStop is used in many areas.

It processes banking transactions.
It runs telecom operations smoothly.
It supports e-commerce platforms.
It manages data for large organizations.

Good & Bad

Hewlett-Packard NonStop offers great reliability but has a few challenges.

Pros
Always available for critical tasks. Reliable and fault-tolerant. Scalable for growth. High security for sensitive data.

Bad


Expensive to install and maintain. Needs skilled professionals. It requires a large space. Upgrades can be costly.

History

The system was created in the 1970s for nonstop operations. It was made to meet the need for continuous uptime. Over time, it became essential for businesses. Today, it remains a top solution for critical tasks.

Burroughs B5000

The Burroughs B5000 is an advanced mainframe computer designed for business use. It is known for its simple programming and efficient data processing. This system helped companies manage complex tasks like accounting and financial processing.

Uses

The Burroughs B5000 was used in various fields.

It processed business transactions.
It managed accounting and financial data.
It supported banking operations.
It helped in scientific calculations.

Pros & Challenges

The Burroughs B5000 had both strengths and weaknesses.

Pros
Efficient at handling business data. Simple programming for users. Reliable for business tasks. Cost-effective for its time.

Challenges

Cons
Limited by older technology. Large and heavy design. Slower compared to modern systems. High maintenance costs over time.

History

The Burroughs B5000 was introduced in the 1960s. It revolutionized business computing with its stack-oriented architecture. It became widely used in finance and research. Its design was innovative for its time.

Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX Series

The Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX Series is a line of computers used for both scientific and business purposes. It became famous for its flexibility and high-performance capabilities. The VAX systems were widely used to handle complex tasks and support a variety of software.

Uses

The DEC VAX Series was used in various fields.

It assisted in scientific research.
It managed business data and transactions.
It processed financial data for banks.
It supported large-scale databases for companies.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The DEC VAX Series had both pros and cons.

Advantages

Pros
It has a powerful and efficient performance. Flexible and adaptable to different tasks. Reliable for long-term use. Supports a wide range of software applications.

Disadvantages

Cons
High purchase and maintenance costs. Setup and configuration can be complicated. Needs skilled operators to handle it. The hardware is large and takes up space.

History

The DEC VAX Series was introduced in the late 1970s. It became widely popular for its powerful capabilities. It played a key role in both the business and academic fields. Over time, it evolved into a platform for many software applications.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered 10 examples of mainframe computers in detail. These computers are strong and help big companies run smoothly. After learning about all of them, I think the IBM Z System is the best choice. It’s fast, secure, and reliable, making it perfect for businesses that need a high-performing computer. If you want your business to work well, consider using the IBM Z System. Don’t wait—start learning more about it today!

FAQs about Examples of mainframe computer

Here are some common questions about examples of mainframe computer

What makes the IBM Z Series so special?

The IBM Z Series is known for its speed, security, and reliability. It can process millions of transactions every second. This makes it perfect for industries like banking and healthcare, where speed and security are crucial.

How is the UNIVAC 1100 Series used today?

The UNIVAC 1100 Series was one of the first mainframe computers. Though it’s not used much today, it was important for data processing and managing large systems. Some industries still use older versions for special tasks.

Can I still find the ICL 2900 Series in use today?

The ICL 2900 Series was a popular computer in the past for businesses that needed big data handling. While it’s no longer used today, it helped set the standard for how powerful computers should work. It laid the foundation for newer mainframe models.

What made the Hitachi Z-Series popular?

The Hitachi Z-Series is known for its high processing power and low risk of errors. It’s designed to run 24/7 without interruptions. This makes it a great choice for industries where reliability and performance are key.

Why do businesses use the Hewlett-Packard NonStop?

The Hewlett-Packard NonStop system is famous for its ability to work without any downtime. It’s used by businesses that need to make sure their systems are always running. For example, banks and online services rely on it to keep things moving.

What is unique about the Burroughs B5000 mainframe?

The Burroughs B5000 was one of the first computers to use a new programming approach. It was easy to use and helped businesses run more efficiently. Although it is not used today, it is an integral part of computer history.