History of the PC
No other computer really defines the fourth generation of computers like the personal computer. From its birth in 1973, to the IBM PCs of the 80s and 90s, to modern PCs of today, it has been a mainstay in businesses worldwide, and in many homes as well. This section details the personal computer’s evolution from 1973 to 2010.
Birth of the Personal ComputerIn 1973, some of the first microcomputer kits based on the 8008 chip were developed. These kits were little more than demonstration tools and didn’t do much except blink lights. In April 1974, Intel introduced the 8080 microprocessor, which was 10 times faster than the earlier 8008 chip and addressed 64KB of memory. This was the breakthrough the personal computer industry had been waiting for.
Birth of the Personal ComputerIn 1973, some of the first microcomputer kits based on the 8008 chip were developed. These kits were little more than demonstration tools and didn’t do much except blink lights. In April 1974, Intel introduced the 8080 microprocessor, which was 10 times faster than the earlier 8008 chip and addressed 64KB of memory. This was the breakthrough the personal computer industry had been waiting for.