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Microcomputers What are they, what are they for and what uses do they have in computing?

Microcomputers What are they

Have you ever used microcomputers? Do you know what they are? How are they different from our desktop personal computers?

We owe this machine, born in the 70s, in the middle of the computer revolution, , because it is the basis of what we all have in our home today .

Let’s see in detail what a microcomputer is, where it is born, what its history has been up to today and what it looks like and differs from other computers.

What are microcomputers in computing? Definition

Based on the definition that the concept itself can give us, a microcomputer is a computer that uses a microprocessor to act as the Central Processing Unit – what becomes the processor of the entire life, well, of our young life-.

Regardless of knowing what this element is, you just have to pay attention again to the concept itself to know that the prefix micro- refers to something of small size. Although we currently use it to refer to tiny elements, the truth is that when the term “ microprocessor ” was coined, conventional processors were much larger than what we use now, so that one micro It could very well be like the palm of your hand.

In any case, the microcomputer is the computer equipment that was designed to work with a microprocessor .

This leads us, of course, to see a reduction in the rest of the elements that make up the machine and, with it, the overall size of the machine. This is also appreciated by the integrated circuit, an element that had been waiting for years to be used.

el microprocesador define la microcomputadora

Thus, we can call our personal computer microcomputer or desktop, although it sounds weird, because, after all, it is of a small size in relation to the existing computing devices when it was introduced the term and, in effect, I work with what is known as a microprocessor.

However, microcomputers are not only synonymous with personal computers. The concept itself indicates very clearly that the importance lies in the use, as we say, of a microprocessor, so that those computing machines that include it are considered as micro as well .

Otherwise, the device may be different in terms of structure, integration of elements and others, what matters, as we say, is that it is made to work with a micro CPU.

Origin

These devices appear when the microprocessors are developed to the point of being compatible with smaller parts . This occurs, as we have mentioned, when researching to meet the growing demand for smaller computers that could be used in different contexts than at the moment and that, in addition, were also less expensive, becoming accessible to a larger portion of the population. / p>

This machine replaced the minicomputers in many ways because , in the absence of other equipment, these were used for various purposes, even if they were not the most appropriate or even if the mini was too much for that, then, simply, there was no other more similar product.

The first microcomputer is seen in 1972 , from Japan. This was the SMP80 / 08 . Two years later we find its improved version. None of them went on sale.

Meanwhile, in France, the Micral N had been launched in in 1973, these being the first to make the patent including the term microcomputer , but in French (“Micro-ordinateur”), referring to this as “first solid-state machine with a microprocessor”. This was designed to be part of scientific applications and technical processes .

Alvan was another French team designed to automate some office work processes , getting closer to current personal computers.

History

microcomputadora domestica

The history of microcomputers is not far from that of other computing machines and corresponds to the development, directly or indirectly, of the equipment just discussed.

Until 1976 , what is known as first generation of microcomputers is sold for engineering interface control, terminal and machinery control purposes industrial . The main corporations are Texas Instruments, Digital Equipment Corporation or the current Toshiba, now known as Sord Computer Corporation.

The second generation is given by the introduction of the home computer in 1977 , These machines are still smaller and their development is thought to be more easily usable by the user on foot. This is done using the BASIC language and the ability to plug in these monitors or televisions.

An important milestone that made these machines a tool for business was the creation of the spreadsheet in 1979 . When IBM launches the IBM PC, the personal computer concept begins to merge with the microcomputer concept.

Very noteworthy is also the introduction of 32-bit computing on these computers, given in the mid-80s. Its importance is that this allowed multiuser operating systems to run , getting a little closer to the minicomputer concept, which, remember, is more powerful.

In 2012, Raspberry Pi is launched , an element that, despite being considered a “computer board” for being, in essence, a computer-capable board , without anything else, it is still a micro-computer, because the truth is that it includes a microprocessor.

placa computadora

What are the Microcomputers for? What are their uses?

The reduction of its processing capacity – at the time – meant that these machines were destined for domestic and office use as well as, in some cases, for the teaching-learning process . An essential feature was that, due to their capacity and size, they were used by a single user .

In other words, they functioned as satisfying the demand of the domestic user who could not access, in any way – nor did it make sense – to minicomputers, mainframes or other computers of even greater size.

This means that its use was given both to entertain with multimedia product catalogs or with games and to manage the home , for example, keeping accounts, storing information , etc.

However, its evolution has meant that, although its basic uses are the same (entertainment, education and domestic management) the options have diversified greatly , being able Enjoy activities that count for hundreds. This is because every time more applications are available but also because the processing capacity and speed of the processors is infinitely greater .

Thus, we can say that the same uses for which these computers were designed but have been extended remain.

What are the differences between a Microcomputer and a Minicomputer?

As we have seen in the previous points, the differences in capacity between the two types of computers were reduced over time until they are already diffuse or non-existent, since the truth is that both terms are practically obsolete because a personal computer can carry out the functions of both computers.

However, we have the mini (or medium server) is larger, with very fast processing and , which especially differentiates them, which allows the connection of multiple users with various teams. That is, it would be a kind of server.

The micro , meanwhile, when nobody as a concept, was mono-user, as well as smaller . Of course, today, if you enjoy the corresponding specifications, you can also work as a server.

This is, at the time, the minicomputer served as a server and the micro was a kind of predecessor of the personal computer .

Currently, although its specifications are not entirely the same, we have a kind of growing list in which the microcomputer would be more modest in all aspects, followed by the minicomputer , the workstation , the mainframe and now, afterwards, we would go to giant teams such as macro and supercomputers. So, we have one is one step higher than the other, simply .