What are midrange computers commonly referred to as?

Midrange computers are commonly referred to as "minicomputers." This terminology originated in the 1960s and 1970s when these systems emerged as a middle ground between small, personal computers and large, powerful mainframe computers. Minicomputers were designed to handle a variety of tasks for small to medium-sized enterprises, providing significant processing power and capability, but at a lower cost and size than mainframes.

Minicomputers played a crucial role in the development of computer technology, offering multi-user capabilities and supporting multiple applications simultaneously. They were often used for tasks such as data processing and scientific calculations, making them versatile tools in various industries.

In contrast, mainframes refer to the larger and more powerful systems that can handle extensive data processing tasks, while microcomputers, also known as personal computers, are designed for individual use with less processing power. Servers refer to systems that provide resources, data, or services to other computers over a network, which is a different role altogether from what minicomputers typically served.