The fourth generation computers

The fourth Generation computers(1976-present)

The advent of the microprocessor chips marked the beginning of the fourth generation computers. Medium scale integrated circuit yielded to large and very large scale integrated circuit packing about 50000 transistors in a chip.

Semiconductor memories replaced magnetic core memories. The emergence of the microprocessor led to the emergence of extremely powerful personal computers. Computers cost came down so rapidly that these found places in most offices and homes. The faster accessing and processing speeds and increased memory capacity helped in development of much more powerful operating system.

The second decade of the fourth generation observed a great increased in the speed of microprocessor and the size of main memory.

The speed of microprocessor and the size of main memory and hard disk went up by a factor of 4 every 3 years.

Key features of fourth generation computers:-

Integrated circuit, smaller and faster

Micro computers series such as IBM and APPLE developed

Portable computers developed

Great development in data communication

You Can Also Visit My Previous Post :

• Science 10
• Science 9
• Science 8