ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

Evolution and Types of the Computers

Curriculum Development CentreMinistry of Education Malaysia

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

Evolution of the Computer

FIRST GENERATION (1940-1956)

The first generation of computers were huge, slow, expensive and often unreliable. In 1946, two Americans, Prospers Eckert and Willian Mauchly build the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It uses vacuum tube instead of mechanical switches of the MARK 1.

In 1951, Eckert and Mauchly build the UNIVAC, that could calculate at the rate of 10,000 additions per seconds.

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Presper Eckert Willian Mauchly

Vacuum tube

MARK 1

UNIVAC – UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COMPUTER

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963)

The famous computer scientists during the second generation era were:

The creation of the transistor sparked the production of the second generation computer. Transistors were small devices used to transfer electronic signals across a resister. Transistors had many advantages compared to other hardware technology.

• transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes• they needed no warm up time• consumed less energy• generated much less heat• faster and more reliable

THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971)

In the third generation era, the IBM 370 series was introduced in 1964. It came in several models and sizes.It was used for business and scientific programmes. Other computer models introduced were the CDC 7600 and B2500.

The development of integrated circuit (IC), signal the beginning of the third generation computers. Silicone chips were manufactured in 1961 at the Silicone Valley. Then came the integrated circuit technology, which had reduced the size and cost of computers.

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

The microchip is a complete electronic circuit on small chip of silicon known as a semi conductor.

FOURTH GENERATION (1971-PRESENT)

It took only 55 years for the 4 generations to evolve. The growth of the computer industry developed technologies of computer inventions. There are many types of computer models such as:

• Apple Macintosh• IBM• DELL• ACER

In 1971 Intel created the first microprocessor. In 1976, Steve Jobs built the first Apple computer. Then, in 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer.

During the fourth generation, hardware technology such as silicone chips, microprocessor and storage devices were invented. A microprocessor is a specialized chip that is developed for computer memory and logic.

The microprocessor is a large-scale integrated circuit that contains thousands of transistors. The transistors on this one chip are capable of performing all the functions of a computer's central processing unit.

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Steve Jobs( Apple Macintosh)

Bill Gates (IBM)

Micheal Dell(DELL)

Microprocessor

Silicone Chips

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

FIFTH GENERATION (PRESENT & BEYOND)

The fifth generation computers are technologically advance and are still being developed.

The inventions of new hardware technology in the fifth generation have grown rapidly to include many other modern computer devices such as :

• silicone chips• processor• robotics• virtual reality• intelligent systems• programmes which translate languages

NEW ERA COMPUTER

After the fifth generation computer, the technology of computers has become more advanced, modern and sophisticated. The latest invention in the era of computers are :

• Super Computers• Mainframe Computers• Mini Computers• Personal Computers• Mobile Computers

In the new era of computers, expert systems such as teleconferencing and speech-recognition systems have been

invented as part of the modern world communication

tool.

Types of Computers

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Mini Computers

Mainframe Computers

Personal Computers

Mobile Computer

Super Computers

The Cray-2 was the world's fastest computer from 1985 to 1989.

Multi-user mini computer at RAL

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

Supercomputer

Super Computers: specifies that these are the most powerful computers compared to the mainframe.

Additional Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer

Mainframe

Mainframe Computer: Is a very powerful and large computer. It can process many users at a time. Its Terminals are used to connect a user to the computer.The users submit the task through mainframe.

Additional Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainframe_computer

Minicomputer

Minicomputers are smaller than Mainframes (usually the size of a filing cabinet). They have smaller memory and are not as powerful as a mainframe.

Additional Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer

Microcomputer

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

The microcomputer is the smallest group of the computer system as (usually the size of a typewriter) it can sit on a desktop. A microcomputer allows only a user at a time. Microcomputers include: Home computers, Desktop computers, Portable computers, and Laptop computers.

© From the Hutchinson Encyclopaedia.Helicon Publishing LTD 2007.

All rights reserved.

Additional Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcomputer: http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/computers/data/m0008890.html

Workstation

A type of computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software development and other types of applications that require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.

Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, at least 64 MB (megabytes) of RAM, built-in network support, and a graphical user interface.

Different Types of Computer

There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most of these words imply to the size, expected use and capability of the computer. The term ‘computer’ can apply to virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it .

• PC - The personal computer (PC) is designed for personal use by a single person. PCs were first known as microcomputers because they were a complete computer built on a smaller scale.

• Desktop - A PC that is placed on a permanent location. Most of them offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost.

• Laptop - Also called notebook, laptops are portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, a pointing

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer hardware Module

device or trackball, processor, memory and hard drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover book.

• Palmtop - More commonly known as Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), palmtops are tightly integrated computers that often use flash memory instead of a hard drive for storage. These computers rely on touchscreen technology for user input. Palmtops are typically smaller than a paperback novel, very lightweight with a reasonable battery life.

• Server - A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, a large memory and hard drives.

• Wearable - The latest trend in computing are wearable computers integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even clothing.

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