Fourth Generation Computers: The Microprocessors

Introducing the Microprocessors:

Microprocessors, the "integrated circuit that contains all the functions of a central processing unit of a computer", began the fourth generation of computers. Fourth generation started from 1971 and used to this very day. Microprocessor computers were developed even smaller than the previous computers and still continuously decreasing in size, from desktops to laptops to tablets and smartphones (The Five Generations of Computers).

Features and Information about Microprocessors:

"Apple MacIntosh (1984)"
<"Apple MacIntosh (1984)". Photo.
BusinessWeek.com. 5 Oct. 2013>

The Microprocessor computers were made to be personal computers (PCs). In this era, the integrated circuit chips, containing millions of transistors and microprocessors, chips that are even smarter than some of us, rules. Due to the millions of transistors in an individual chip, computers are much, much faster than how it ever was in history (The Computer Chronicles - Computer Generations). The major component and the main memory of the Microprocessor computers are high-density integrated circuits (LSIs). Second storage are the magnetic disks and magnetic tapes much like our previous invention. The language is a high-level language such as the ADA (Khalil, Danish). At this time, taking home and making your own computers were available and the computers started to appear more like the PCs today. Networks such as internet were now available, connecting the entire world.

Examples of the Microprocessors:

• Altair 8800 computer kit: Able to take home and build your own personal computer (MITS Altair 8800 Computer).
• Apple II: Introduce in market by Apple in 1977 (Apple II Computer).
• MacIntosh: Introduced by Apple in 1984 (Apple MacIntosh (1984)).

Conclusion:

The microprocessor were meant for calculators, not computers, but somehow it became one of the biggest thing in our daily lives. From something used for just one specific task to something that we use to do everything, from waiting for our food to projects for work or college. The fourth generation computers really did take over our lives.

Sources: 

 

"Apple II Computer." Apple II Computer. N.p., 2013. Web. 5 Oct. 2013

 

"Apple MacIntosh (1984)". Photo. BusinessWeek.com. 5 Oct. 2013 

Hames, Roderick. "The Computer Chronicles - Computer Generations." The Computer Chronicles - Computer Generations. Alton C. Crews Middle School: CD Dept. - Articles, 2011. Web. 4 Oct. 2013
 

Khalil, Danish. "Computer Generation." Web log post. Computer Generation History of Danish Khalil. Blogger, 5 Oct. 2012. Web. 5 Oct. 2013.

 

"MITS Altair 8800 Computer." MITS Altair 8800 Computer. N.p., 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2013.

 

The Five Generations of Computers. Webopedia. ITBusinessEdge, 2013.Web. 4 Oct. 2013.