By Ajay Anand
First generation computers had following features:
Vacuum tubes were used
Expensive
Heavy and large in size
Generated a lot of heat
Examples: EDSAC (1949). EDVAC (1951)
Second generation computers had following features:
Transistors were used
Smaller in size, compared to first generation computers
Faster than first generation computers
Expensive
Examples: IBM 1401, IBM 1700
Third generation computers had following features:
Integrated Circuits (ICs) were used
Smaller in size than second generation computers
Less expensive
Faster and more accurate than second generation computers
Examples: IBM 360, ICL 1900
Fourth generation computers have following features:
Microprocessors are used
Smaller in size
Cheaper and faster
Easy to use
Examples: IBM 4300, Pentium Duo Core
Fifth generation computers are yet to come. They are likely to have following features:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Thinking ability
Would be used in robotics, designing, defence, etc.