What are Microcomputers?
“Microcomputer” is an antiquated term that refers to a computer that uses a microprocessor (integrated circuit) for its Central Processing Unit, rather than vacuum tubes or bipolar junction transistors, which were commonplace before the microprocessor. In addition, a microcomputer should be small enough to fit on a desk, as microprocessor-based computers larger than that are generally called minicomputers instead. Microprocessor-based computers are the backbone of the modern computer era, often considered “third generation” computers in contrast to the first and second generation of vacuum tubes and bipolar junction transistors. Today, almost all computers are microcomputers. Computers were relatively slow and expensive throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, often necessitating large amounts of power and room-sized mainframes. Even a computer the size of a refrigerator would be called a “minicomputer” due to its relatively small size. At this point, computers were only available to th
From: Matt® 22/03/2002 10:30:57 Subject: re: microcomputers post id: 86134 really really little computers. The same way as a normal computer, only smaller. Hope this was helpfull. 🙂 The views and opinions expressed on this forum are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages. ABC conditions of use statement.
