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Computers are essential devices that you must have used while growing up. There are also pretty good chances that you still use a computer daily. Have you ever wondered what a computer really is? Do you know what the generation of computers is?

If you are curious to know the answer to these questions, that is great. In this article, we will answer both of these questions in great detail.

Let’s first begin with what the meaning of computers is. According to experts, a computer can be defined as an electronic device used for manipulating information or data. Computers also have the ability to store, retrieve and process information.

These days, people use computers for typing documents, playing games, sending emails and browsing the internet. One can also use these devices to create or edit presentations, spreadsheets and videos.

You might also be interested to know that the evolution of computers began sometime during the 1940s. At that time, the first generation of computers was created. Since then, experts have also developed other generations of computers. As of now, there are five generations of computers.

In the field of electronics and technology, generation is computer terminology. This term refers to the change that a computer goes through. Earlier, the term generation was used to differentiate between different hardware technologies. However, these days, generation can be used to refer to both software and hardware; these together form the entire computer system.

In the rest of the article, we will discuss these five computer generations. Before we jump on to the details, it is important to go through an overview of these generations.

How many generations of computers are there?

Computer generations are based on when major technological changes in computers occurred, like the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, and the microprocessor. As of 2020, there are five generations of the computer.

Review each of the generations below for more information and examples of computers and technology that fall into each generation.

First generation (1940-1956)
Second generation (1956-1963)
Third generation(1963-1971)
fourth generation(1971-2010)
Five generation(2010 to Present)
Sixth generation (future generations)

First generation (1940 – 1956):

The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as a major piece of technology. Vacuum tubes were widely used in computers from 1940 through 1956. Vacuum tubes were larger components and resulted in first-generation computers being quite large in size, taking up a lot of space in a room. Some first-generation computers took up an entire room.

The ENIAC is a great example of a first-generation computer. It consisted of nearly 20,000 vacuum tubes, 10,000 capacitors and 70,000 resistors. It weighed over 30 tons and took up a lot of space, requiring a large room to house it. Other examples of first-generation computers include the EDSAC, IBM 701, and Manchester mark 1.

Second generation (1956 – 1963):

The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Transistors were widely used in computers from 1956 to 1963. Transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes and allowed computers to be smaller in size, faster in speed, and cheaper to build.

The first computer to use transistors was the TX-0 and was introduced in 1956. Other computers that used transistors include the IBM 7070, Philco Transac S-1000, and RCA 501.

Third generation (1964 – 1971):

The third generation of computers introduced the use of IC (integrated circuits) in computers. Using IC’s in computers helped reduce the size of computers even more than second-generation computers, and also made them faster.

Nearly all computers since the mid to late 1960s have utilized IC’s. While the third generation is considered by many people to have spanned from 1964 to 1971, IC’s are still used in computers today. Over 45 years later, today’s computers have deep roots going back to the third generation.

Fourth generation (1971 – 2010):

The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention of the microprocessor, more commonly known as a CPU. Microprocessors, with integrated circuits, helped make it possible for computers to fit easily on a desk and for the introduction of the laptop.

Early computers to use a microprocessor include the Altair 8800, IBM 5100, and Micral. Today’s computers still use a microprocessor, despite the fourth generation being considered to have ended in 2010.

Fifth generation (2010 to present):

The fifth generation of computers is beginning to use AI (artificial intelligence), an exciting technology with many potential applications around the world. Leaps have been made in AI technology and computers, but there is still room for much improvement.

One of the more well-known examples of AI in computers is IBM’s Watson, which was featured on the TV show Jeopardy as a contestant. Other better-known examples include Apple’s Siri on the iPhone and Microsoft’s Cortana on Windows 8 and Windows 10 computers. The Google search engine also utilizes AI to process user searches.

Sixth generation (future generations)

As of 2022, most still consider us to be in the fifth generation as AI continues to develop. One possible contender for a future sixth generation is the quantum computer. However, until quantum computing becomes more developed and widely used, it is still only a promising idea.

Some people also consider nanotechnology to be part of the sixth generation. Like quantum computing, nanotechnology is largely still in its infancy and requires more development before becoming widely used.

With a new generation of computers it’s also possible how we interact with a computer may also change. New ways of how we may interact with the next generation of computers include only using our voice, AR (augmented Reality), VR (virtual reality), or MR (mixed reality).