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Computing Devices 20th Century

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151 views2 pages

Computing Devices 20th Century

Uploaded by

shalomfadile944
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SSS 1 COMPUTER STUDIES

COMPUTING DEVICES

Features, component and uses of computing devices (20th century to date)

Before the advent of computing, human beings used manual and mechanical counting and calculating
devices to carry out the counting and calculating of numbers. With the arrival of electronic technologies,
these devices were gradually replaced by modern computing devices.

1. ABC: Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1939-1942)

• The first special-purpose electronic digital computer


• Used vacuum tubes for calculation and memory drums for storage
• First computer to use binary math but was slow
• Not very successful because of a faulty card puncher which prevented the ABC from solving
large sets of linear equations
• Could not be re-programmed and was not automatic

2. Colossus 1 (1943)

• First successful electronic computer


• Could perform only one function: code breaking during World War II
• Cannot be re-programmed

3. Mark 1: Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (1944)

• First electro-mechanical computer capable of logical decisions


• Could perform an addition in 3/10 of a second
• Programmed using a punched paper tape
• Can be re-programmed

4. ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (1946)

• The first multi-purpose electronic computer


• It can be programmed for many complex tasks
• Had 18,000 vacuum tubes and a very limited storage capacity

5. EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (1947)

• Used a single processing unit and has a simpler design than ENAIC
• Input and output were through card reader and card punch
• First computer to use the stored program concept where instructions were stored in memory
(sequentially) with their data.

6. UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer (1951)

• First commercially produced electronic digital computer


• Had 5200 vacuum tubes and was able to store 1000 words of 11-digit numbers
MRS ADOGIE - POWERFIELDS GROUP OF SCHOOLS [COLLEGE], EGBIN
SSS 1 COMPUTER STUDIES

• Used for numerical and textual information processing


• The first computer to use magnetic tape

7. IBM Series: International Business Machines (1954-1964)

• Electronic computers for business


• Used transistors which greatly led to a reduction in size
• Comparatively inexpensive computers

8. PDP-8: Programmable Data Processor (1965)

• First integrated circuit computer

9. PERSONAL COMPUTER (1970s)

• Fourth generation computers


• A digital general-purpose computer designed for individual use
• Used in the home, offices and schools
• Could be networked to share resources
• Consists basically of the system unit, the keyboard, the monitor and the mouse.

10. LAPTOP / NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

• A portable one-piece personal computer suitable for mobile use


• Combines the components of a desktop computer including display, speakers, keyboard and
pointing device into a single unit
• Uses both alternating current and battery power

11. HANDHELD COMPUTERS

• A pocket calculator-sized, battery-powered PC with integrated keyboard and display


• Used for activities ranging from personal organization and note taking to running varieties of
business application

12. TABLET COMPUTERS

• A mobile computer with display circuitry and battery in a single unit


• Usually feature on-screen pop-up virtual keyboard for typing
• Are typically larger than smart phones or personal digital assistants (PDA)

MRS ADOGIE - POWERFIELDS GROUP OF SCHOOLS [COLLEGE], EGBIN

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