The Evolution of the Microprocessor

The Evolution of the Microprocessor The microprocessor is one of the unsung heroes of the modern era. Like the car designer whose vehicle gives the racing driver glory, the microprocessor makes quite incredible things possible all over the world. Each year we benefit from faster and more efficient performance which improves not just computing, but also numerous fields from retail and industry to agriculture and vehicle safety. This year, the humble microprocessor celebrates its 40th birthday. Since 1971, it has become the brain of literally millions of devices - without the microprocessor they would not have existed. Let's take a look at some of the devices the microprocessor has powered over the past 40 years Busicom Calculator The Unicom 141P" calculator was one of the very first devices to feature a microprocessor. Computing as we know it started here.. Washing machine The first microchip- controlled washing machines came onto the market, showing the diverse usages of the new technology Commodore PET The PET is widely acknowledged as the first all-in-one home computer Osborne 1* laptop With a 5" screen, and weighing 10.7kg, it really was the'great' grandfather of modern laptops Nintendo NES• The gaming industry was revitalised by consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System Arcade mania Namco introduced Pac-Man in the arcades of the US and sparked a huge craze MP3 Player The way we listen to music was forever changed in the late 1990s with the first 00 MP3 players Computing democratised Business and personal with a BlackBerry The smartphone revolution kicked off when RIM introduce the computing exploded w wide range of desktops, laptops and even early tablets Blackberry 850 11011010110101101010101010101010101100111100010111110110101 1010110101010101010101010 101010101010101010110011 0101010101100111100010 110 001 011 101 100010111110110101101011010 1101101011010 110101010 101010101 10101100 0101 1010 1110 1111 0110 1010 0101 1011 Microsoft Windows Tablet Almost a decade before the consumer obsession with tablets, 11100010 111110110 01101011 101010 010 10101 businesses were using 101 AL them for more 010 0011TTU00111 1011111011010110011010 1010110101101 1101010101010 A 1010101010101 010110011110 00101111 11 functional tasks Apple iPod The iPod was released and the future of MP3 as the music format of choice is set in stone Netbook Netbooks were introduced as small and lightweight devices for completing simple tasks and viewing 01010101100111100010 11010 10 01010TUIUIU10T010 media and internet 00111100010111110110 10111110110101101011 110110101101011010101010 content on the go Apple iPad" Tablets hit the consumer mainstream with the launch of the iPad Digital Signage Digital signage is but one of a vast number of new uses for the microprocessor. Intelligent, internet-connected devices are increasingly found in everyday life - from industry and retail to agriculture and vehicles Ultrabook The evolution of the PC takes another big step as stylish Ultrabook devices push forward mobile, high performance computing Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries. *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Ultrabock is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. (intel) 2011 2002 1977 666L Z66L LZ6L 086L 1981 2008 2011 2010 1978 1991 986L LO