Fourth Generation

Fourth Generation Computers
(1971-Present)

The 4th generation computers are marked by the usage of integrated circuits and microprocessors. As the years passed, computers became smaller and smaller, and their prices became lower and lower. Millions of components could be placed onto a single silicon chip. Computers became more efficient and more reliable, and they could perform more and more operations. They began to catch the eye of the general public, and soon more sophisticated software and equipment were designed. Networks became commonplace, and the whole world was connected by the Internet and by the World Wide Web.

1971: Intel 4004

The Intel 4004 is a 4-bit microprocessor. Microprocessors are integrated circuits that contain thousands and millions of transistors. The Intel 4004 is the essence of a general-purpose computer. It performed many input and output operations and was also able to read and respond to instructions stored in its memory. The microprocessor was able to group all the components of a computer, including the CPU, or central processing unit, the memory, and the input and output controls on a single chip. The Intel 4004 was first used on March 2, 1972 in the Pioneer 10 space probe.

1972: Intel 8008

In November of 1972, Intel came out with a new 8-bit processor, known as the Intel 8008.

1974: Intel 8080

The Intel 8080 is a re-engineered version of the Intel 8008. It had a larger and more versatile instruction set.

1975: Altair 8800

The Altair 8800 is often called the first personal computer. It was developed by Micro Instrumentation Telemetry Systems (MITS), a small company centered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Altair 8800 was sold as an electronic hobbyist kit for only $397. The Altair computers were of blue box-shaped machines with dimensions of 17 inches by 18 inches by 7 inches. They were very simple, and so in complex that they did not even have a keyboard or display. These computers did not even have enough memory to perform any useful tasks. The Altair 8800 used an Intel 8080 microprocessor and had switches on the front panel for input and rows of neon light bulbs for the output. These lights were known as light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. It is hard to believe, but it is the in-complexity of the Altair 8800 that helped to establish the personal computer industry. Because of its limitations, the Altair allowed for other companies to refine the computer and do develop more software.

One such example of software developed for the Altair 8800 is the development of a version of the programming language, BASIC, for this computer. BASIC was a popular programming language used by many minicomputers and other machines. It was simple and easy to develop. The BASIC programming language designed for the Altair was developed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the cofounders of the software giant, Microsoft. Microsoft was not the only company to develop programs and software for the Altair. In fact, more and more companies began entering the software business by developing software and peripherals for the Altair 8800. The personal computer soon became a business machine.