good know how about Computer Generation

1. Generations of Computer
Malik Adeel ali
GCUF
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E.mail: adeelmalik526@yahoo.com

2. Generations of Computer
First Generation of Computer (1942-1955)
Main Features
 Major Innovation - Vacuum Tubes
 Main Memory - Punched Cards
 Input Output Devices - Punched cards and papers
 Languages - Low level machine language
 Operating System - No operating system, human operators to set
 switches
 Size - Main frame for example ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC
The beginning of commercial computer age is from UNIVAC (universal automatic computers).
It was developed by two scientists MAUCHLY and ECHERT at the census departments of
united state in 1947. There were based on vacuum tubes Examples of first generation comp uter
are ENIVAC and UNIVAE etc.
. Advantages of First Generation

3. 1. Vacuum tubes were used as electronic component.
2. Electronic digital computers were developed for the first time.
3. These computers were the fastest calculating devices of their time.
4. Computations were performed in millisecond.
Disadvantages of First Generation
1. Too large in size.
2. They were unreliable.
3. Induce a large amount of heat due to the vacuum tubes.
4. Not portable.
5. Limited commercial use.
Second Generation of Computers (1955-1964)
Main Features
 Major Innovation - Transistors as main component.
 Main Memory - RAM and ROM.
 External Storage - Magnetic tapes and Magnetic Disk.
 Input Output Devices - Magnetic tapes and Magnetic Disk.
 Languages - Assembly language, some high level languages for Example BASIC,
COBOL, FORTRAN.
 Operating System - Human handles punched card.
 Size - Main frame for example IBM-1401, NCR-300, and IBM-600 etc.
The second generation computers used is transistor. The scientist of Bell laboratories developed
transistors in 1947. These scientists include john Bardeen, William Brattain and William
Shockley. The size of the computer was decrease by replacing vacuum tube with transistors. The
examples of second generation computers are IBM-7094 series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164
etc.

4. Advantages of Second Generation
1. Smaller in size as compares to 1st generation much more reliable.
2. Less heat generated.
3. Computation was performing in micro second. Less hardware and maintenance problem.
4. Could be used for commercial use.
Disadvantages of Second Generation
1. Very costly for commercial use.
2. It still required frequent maintenance.
3. Frequent cooling also required.
4. Punch cards were used for input.
Third Generation of Computers (1964-1975)
Main Features
 Major Innovation - Integrated circuit (ICs) as basic electronic component.
 Main Memory - PROM and DRAM.
 External Storage - Improve disk (Floppy Disk)
 Input and Output Devices - Keyboard for input, monitor for output.
 Languages - More high level languages.
 Operating System - Complete operating systems were introduced.
 Size - Mini, for example: IBM SYSTEM / 360, ICH-360, HONEY WELL-316 etc.
In this generation the integrated circuits (IC) were used. Jack kilby developed the concept of
integrated circuits in 1958. It was an important invention in the computer field. The first IC was
invented and used in 1961. The size of an IC is about ¼ square inch. A single IC chip may

5. contain thousands of transistors. The computer becomes smaller in size, faster, reliable and less
expensive. The example of third generation IBM 370, IBM system/360, UNIVAC 1108 and
UNIVACE 9000 etc.
Advantages of Third Generation
1. Smaller in size as compared to second generation.
2. More reliable.
3. Portable
4. Less electricity consumption.
5. Heat generation was rare.
6. General purpose computer.
Disadvantages of Third Generation
1. Air conditioning was required in many cases due to ICs.
2. Very advance technology was required to make the ICs.
Fourth Generation of Computers (1975-1981)
Main Features
 Major Innovation - LSIC and VLSIC (Micro Processor)
 Main Memory - EPROM and SRAM.
 External Storage - Floppy Disk and Hard Disk.
 Input and Output Devices - Monitor for output.

6.  Languages - Languages and application softwares.
 Operating System - MS-DOS and PC-DOS
 Size - Micro computer e.g. IBM-PC, Apple Macintosh etc.
The fourth generation computers started with invention of microprocessor. The microprocessor
contains thousands of ICs. Ted Hoff produced the first microprocessor in 1971 for Intel. It was
known as Intel 4004. The technology of integrated circuits improved rapidly. The LSI (large
scale integration) circuit and VLSI (very large scale integration circuit were designed. It greatly
reduced the size of computer. The size of modern microprocessors is usually one square inch. It
can contain millions of electronic circuits. The examples of fourth generation are apple.
Macintosh and IBM PC.
Advantages of Fourth Generation
1. Smaller in size and much reliable.
2. No cooling system required in many cases.
3. Much faster computation.
4. Portable and cheap.
5. The heat generated was negligible.
6. Totally general purpose computer.
Disadvantages of Fourth Generation
1. Very advanced technology was required to fabricate to the ICs.
Fifth Generation (1981-Onward)
Main Features
 Major Innovations - ULSIC (Ultra large scale integrated circuit)
 Main Memory - EEPROM, SIMM and DIMM.
 External Storage - Modified magnetic and Optical disks.

7.  Input/output Devices - Keyboard, Pointing Device, and Scanner as input and Monitor
as main output.
 Languages - AI (Artificial Intelligence) Expert systems.
 Operating System - GUI based e.g. Windows 95, Windows NT.
 Size - Very small in size example: Laptop, Note book, Digital Diary, Palm top and
Pocket PC.
Scientists are now working on the 5th generation computer using recent engineering advances. It
is based on the technique of artificial intelligence (AI). Computers can understands spoken words
and imitate human reasoning. The ability to translate a foreign language is also moderately
possible with fifth generation computers.
Scientists are working to increase the speed of the computer. They are trying to create a
computer with real IQ with help of advanced programming and technologies. The advancement
in modern technologies will revolutionized the computer in future.
Advantages of Fifth Generation
1. Very large storage capacity.
2. Long bit processor builds.
3. Artificial Intelligence Language developed.
Speculations of i3 computers
Processors : Intel® Core™ i3-5x0 1333MHz (or higher) 4T/dual core/4M/73W/ LGA 1156

8. Operating Systems: Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64-bit) pre-installed (OEM media for OS and
Drivers will be supplied by the vendor, (with licensed CD or back up CD)
Chipset : Intel® Q57 chipset
Serial ATA Hard Drive: 500GB 7200 RPM SATA or 1TB 7200 RPM SATA8
Memory • 2GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SoDIMM expandable Up to 4GB memory
Optical Drive • DVD Recordable
Integrated Communications • Intel® 82578DM, 10M/100M/1000M Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi : Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N100 • Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N6300
Ports:
• (6) High speed USB 2.0 (2 side/4 rear)
• (2) Side audio ports: headphone and microphone
• (2) PS/2 ports2
• Serial2
• Integrated display port
• VGA-in
• RJ-45
• AC-in
Slots • (1) Mini PCI-e x 1 slot • (1) Express card slot2
Bays • (1) Internal HDD Bay 3.5 inch • (1) Internal ODD Bay 5.25 inch
Display/Monitor : Integrated 21 inch or 23-inch widescreen (16:9)
Graphics Card: Intel® GMA HD (integrated)
Power Supply • 150 W 85 plus (auto-sensing)
Keyboard • USB
Mouse • USB Optical Wheel Mouse
Speakers: One set of External speakers plus a headphone
Onsite Warranty: Up to 3 years (Extendable up to 4 years)
Priority Support: Provision for technical support for the business which increases helpdesk productivity
with 24 X 7 advanced-level onsite technical support and service call-tracking tools
Preloaded Software :

9. • OS Windows 7 Professional or Windows XP
• Acrobat® Reader®
• Flash® Player
Specifications of i5 computers
Processor3 (Speed, L3 Cache, FSB): Intel® Core™ i5 (2.53GHz, 3MB L3, 35W) or Intel®
Core™ i7 (2.66GHz, 4MB L3, 35W)
Preloaded Operating System : Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate 64, (with licensed CD or back up
CD
Display: 14.1” WXGA + 1440x900 w/LED or 15” 14.1” WXGA + 1440x900 w/LED
Graphics: Integrated Intel® 5 NVIDIA® NVS3100M 512MB
Serial ATA Hard Disk Drives: 500GB/7200rpm
Memory: 4GB of 1333MHz DDR3
Optical Drive: 9.5mm DVD multiburner
Keyboard: Improved ergonomic design, including Track Point pointing device and larger
multitouch touchpad with flush design, larger Esc and Delete keys, separate microphone and
speaker mute buttons with LEDs, new VoIP Fn+F6 hotkey combination, LEDs added to CapsLk
key, power-on button and fingerprint reader
Integrated Communication: WWAN, Bluetooth® 2.1, WiMAX, WLAN
WLAN cards:
WLAN Realtek (1x2)
Condor Peak
(1x2) Intel® 1000 BGN
Intel® WifiLink 6300 (3x3)
Intel® 2x2 6250 with WiMAX
Ports and Slots Ports: 4 USB (1 powered), 1 eSATA, VGA, RJ45, IEEE 1394, combo
microphone in/audio out, DisplayPort
Slots: MMC reader, 34mm ExpressCard
• Norton Internet Security Latest – One year License (extendable every year)
Other Features Integrated 2-megapixel camera, white Light, dual digital microphones, optional
contact or contactless smart card reader

10. Specifications of i7 computer
Processor: Intel core i7-2600, Intel E5800 Dual Core
RAM: 8GB, 4GB DDR3 1366 mhz
Graphics Card: 2Tt, 1TB
Hard drive: NVIDIA Ge Force GT 545, GeForce GT520 1GB
Operating System: Windows 7, windows 8