Computer Generations

Key for Computer Generations

Time FrameCircuit ComponentsElements per ComponentInternal StorageMemory CapacityData InputPopular Computers and Companies at that time

First Generations 1951- 1958Vacuum TubesMagnetic Drum4,000 bitsHard Wire Programs in computersIBM 650, Univac IENIAC

Second Generation 1959-1964TransistorsMagnetic Cores32,000 bitsPunch CardsCDC, GE, IBM

Third Generation 1965-1974Silicon Chips (Integrated circuits)= ICCores, ICs128,000 bitsKeyboard EntryIBM, NCR, Honeywell

Fourth Generation 1975-1989Silicon Chips (Large scale integrated circuits)=LSIICs, LSIs100 million bitsRead programs off disksApple, Xerox, Texas Instrument, Hewlett-Packard

Fifth Generation 1990-presentSilicon Chips ( Very Large Integrated Circuits) VLSILSIs, VLSIsUnlimitedCdRom, Optical DiskNEC, Packard Bell, Compaq, Other Clones

Information is Power