<p>In Taiwan, 计算机 is a pocket calculator, and 电脑 is any kind of computer (with a screen, keyboard, graphics card etc).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-03T11:10:22.247Z
2012-01-03T11:10:22.247Z
Lars Andren
<p>In mainland China</p>

<p>Calculator = 计算器</p>

<p>Computer  = 计算机</p>

<p>电脑 is also used for Computer, especially Personal Computer. Mostly used in oral form.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-15T02:48:50.870Z
2011-12-15T07:07:52.253Z
2011-12-15T07:07:52.253Z
StarCub
<ol>
<li><code>计算机</code> is often used for <code>computer</code> in written language in mainland China. And <code>电脑</code> usually means <code>Desktop computer</code> in oral language.</li>
<li><code>Calculator</code> is <code>计算器</code> not <code>计算机</code> just as @StarCub said.</li>
<li>And for <code>laptop</code>, it's <code>手提电脑</code>, <code>笔记本电脑</code>, or just called <code>笔记本</code>(not the <code>notebook</code> here).</li>
<li>Usually, <code>超级计算机</code> is used for <code>supercomputer</code>. But generally speaking, <code>supercomputer</code> often has its own name, just like <code>天河一号(Thiahe-1A)</code>.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T18:32:10.627Z
There's a joke about 笔记本电脑. A school was holding an activity, saying everyone joined in will get a 笔记本电脑. But everyone just got a 笔记本. So students asked their teachers but the answer was "Put your head on the notebook, that's 笔记本垫脑".
Mike Manilone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-15T00:29:40.973Z
@MikeManilone that's interesting XD
Kjuly
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-15T04:36:34.887Z
2011-12-15T04:36:34.887Z
Kjuly
<p>Where is 计算机 used for "computer", and where does it mean "calculator". In regions where it means "calculator" what is the word for "supercomputer" (assuming that 超级计算机 is not used there)?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-15T05:22:16.483Z
most regions use 计算机 for computer,calculator is 计算器,it is less powerful than a computer.but some people use 计算机 for caculator.
macskuz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-15T05:23:25.343Z
计算机 is the formal form usage of 电脑
macskuz
<topolect>
Which regions use 计算机 for computer?
# Which regions use 计算机 for computer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-12-15)

Where is 计算机 used for "computer", and where does it mean "calculator". In regions where it means "calculator" what is the word for "supercomputer" (assuming that 超级计算机 is not used there)?

**Tags:** topolect

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: most regions use 计算机 for computer,calculator is 计算器,it is less powerful than a computer.but some people use 计算机 for caculator.  
> **username_1**: 计算机 is the formal form usage of 电脑  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2011-12-15. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

1. `计算机` is often used for `computer` in written language in mainland China. And `电脑` usually means `Desktop computer` in oral language.
2. `Calculator` is `计算器` not `计算机` just as @username_3 said.
3. And for `laptop`, it's `手提电脑`, `笔记本电脑`, or just called `笔记本`(not the `notebook` here).
4. Usually, `超级计算机` is used for `supercomputer`. But generally speaking, `supercomputer` often has its own name, just like `天河一号(Thiahe-1A)`.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: There's a joke about 笔记本电脑. A school was holding an activity, saying everyone joined in will get a 笔记本电脑. But everyone just got a 笔记本. So students asked their teachers but the answer was "Put your head on the notebook, that's 笔记本垫脑".  
> **username_4**: @username_5 that's interesting XD  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2011-12-15. Score: 6

In mainland China

Calculator = 计算器

Computer = 计算机

电脑 is also used for Computer, especially Personal Computer. Mostly used in oral form.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2012-01-03. Score: 4

In Taiwan, 计算机 is a pocket calculator, and 电脑 is any kind of computer (with a screen, keyboard, graphics card etc).


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