The fourth generation of computers is characterized by the use of microprocessors, which enabled the integration of more components on a single chip. This generation emerged in the 1970s and lasted until the mid-1980s. With technological advancements, fourth-generation computers became more compact, faster, and more affordable, enabling the emergence of personal computers and the popularization of computing. Furthermore, graphical interfaces and more intuitive operating systems were introduced, facilitating interaction between the user and the computer.
What equipment symbolizes the fourth generation of technology?
The fourth generation of computers is marked by the emergence of microprocessors, which are chips capable of performing various data processing functions. The equipment that symbolizes this generation is the personal computer, or PC, which became popular in the 80s.
Who makes up the fourth generation of the family line?
The fourth generation of computers is mainly composed of microprocessors, which are responsible for processing information more efficiently than previous generations. At this stage, computers became more compact and powerful, thanks to advances in computer technology. chips. In addition, the fourth generation also introduced the use of operational systems more advanced, such as Windows and MacOS.
What is the fourth generation of computers?
A fourth generation of computers includes advances in computing made between the early 1970s and mid-1980s.
The most relevant characteristic of this period was the creation of microprocessors, circuits composed of thousands of conductors that perform the logical and arithmetic functions of a computer.
In this context, the terms LSI (Large Scale Integration: Large Scale Integration) and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration: Large Scale Integration) emerged, which refer exactly to this process of technological miniaturization: the fourth generation of computers allowed the possibility of integrating a large number of circuits on a small chip, which completely transformed the reality that was lived at the time.
These microprocessors are very fast and take up very little space, which represented a true technological revolution at the time. Thanks to this discovery, PCs (personal computers) emerged as the fourth generation of computers, which could perform the same functions as larger computers and could be mass-produced at low cost.
The first microprocessor
Intel was the company that created the first microprocessor. Its creator was Ted Hoff. The idea was to place all the elements of a computer on a small chip.
Then, in 1971, the company commercialized the Intel 4004, which was the first programmable processor available to consumers: this chip could be customized through different software to perform different actions.
One of the most important aspects of this microprocessor is the reduction in production costs: the new device was able to generate the same power generated by a room-sized computer, in a machine so small that it could be placed freely on a desk.
On the other hand, this invention generated in the fourth generation of computers would later allow this technology to be used in other types of devices, such as cell phones, video game devices and even pacemakers.
First computers with microprocessors
In the mid-1970s, after the improvement of the first prototype of the microprocessor, computers began to appear more massively.
In 1973, the first computer with a microprocessor appeared: it was called Micral and was designed by the Frenchmen André Truong Trong Thi and François Gernelle.
This computer used the Intel 8008 microprocessor. Although some were sold for personal use, it was not in great demand.
In 1974, the first commercially announced American computer appeared: the Scelbi. This computer also used the Intel 8008 microprocessor and was released with 4 KB of internal memory.
The rise of PCs
In 1975, the American company Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) began marketing the Altair 8800, a computer created by Ed Roberts, co-founder of MITS.
The programming language used was “Basic”, whose license was granted by the creators of this language (Bill Gates and Paul Allen, founders of Microsoft) to be the main language of Altair.
During this period, there were increasing technological advances. In 1976, Intel released the 8080 microprocessor, which was five times faster than the 8008 used in the Altair computer.
That same year, the company Zilog sold another microprocessor called Zilog Z80, which presented improvements on the Intel 8080.
Apple Computer was founded in 1976 by Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs. That same year, they introduced the Apple I computer to the market, which met with little public acclaim.
However, in 1977, they released the Apple II, which began to attract consumer attention. With this computer, Wozniak and Jobs began to make a strong entry into the technology market.
In the following years of the 70s, Apple became a company with greater reach, and other companies also created and commercialized different prototypes that offered increasingly better solutions to consumers. Some of these companies were Commodore, Radio Shack, and IBM.
The 80s saw several significant developments. In 1981, IBM launched its first personal computer, and in 1984, Apple released the Macintosh computer.
Characteristics of the fourth generation of computers
During this period, there were many technological advancements that were preambles for future technologies.
Computers of this generation were more powerful, practical, and accessible not only to scientists, scholars, or academics, but to different types of people who understood that they could also use these machines.
The main features of the fourth generation of computers are listed below:
- The use of microprocessors, which allowed the miniaturization of the structure.
- The technological terms LSI (Large Systems Integration: Large Scale Integration) and VLSI (Very Large Systems Integration: Large Scale Integration) are introduced, associated with the number of electronic components on a single chip.
- Its size is smaller, which means that a computer can be used at home and can be considered a portable machine.
- The production cost is lower, given the simplification of the structure.
- The concept of PC (Personal Computer) is introduced, which means that these machines become more accessible to the general public.
- Significant advances and improvements have been made in terms of system speed and reliability.
- The number of circuits within a chip has constantly increased.
- Network connection between computers to share memory, information or even some software begins to develop.
- After the development of network connection between computers, the concept of Internet begins to be introduced.
- The “Basic” language was characteristic of computers created during this period.
- As a result of the increasing demand for computers, there have been many improvements in software development.
- The GUI (Graphical User Interface) is developed, a form of interaction between the user and the computer that allows projecting images on the screen and accessing them through the mouse or touch surface.
References
- “Intel’s First Microprocessor” at Intel Retrieved July 18, 2017 from Intel: intel.com
- “The hardware. Evolution and characteristics” at the Faculty of Engineering. National University of the Northeast Retrieved on July 18, 2017 from the Faculty of Engineering. National University of the Northeast: ing.unne.edu.ar
- “Computer History Timeline” at the Computer History Museum Retrieved July 18, 2017, from the Computer History Museum: computerhistory.org
- Mackenzie, I. “The Man Who Invented the Microprocessor” (May 4, 2011) in BBC News. Retrieved July 18, 2017, from BBC News: bbc.com
- “1971: The microprocessor integrates CPU function onto a single chip” at the Computer History Museum Retrieved July 18, 2017 from the Computer History Museum: computerhistory.org
- “The Birth of the IBM PC” at IBM Retrieved July 18, 2017 from IBM: ibm.com
- “Definition of: GUI” on PCMag Retrieved July 18, 2017 from PCMag: pcmag.com
- “The SCELBI Story as Told by Nat Wadsworth” at the Scelbi Computer Museum Retrieved July 18, 2017 from Scelbi Computer Museum: scelbi.com.