Fourth Generation Computer

Fourth Generation Computing began with the introduction of the Microprocessor. The microprocessor is an silicon chip with thousands of integrated circuits built onto a single chip. The introduction of the microprocessor enabled computers to be MUCH smaller and run MUCH more efficiently. It also DRASTICALLY reduced cost and made computers even more available to everyday consumers.

 

The first of the microprocessors was the Intel 4004 chip which housed all the main components of a computer which included central processing and memory to I/O buses onto a single chip. It enabled consumer computer products such as the Apple II computer by Apple and the IBM 5150 Personal Computer. These computers were eventually advanced and upgraded until they became the computers that we see and use today.