Microprocessors

A microprocessor is a tiny computer that is found in many electronic devices. The first microprocessor was the Intel 4004, released in 1971. It could perform 60,000 operations per second. The 4004 was used in the Japanese Busicom 141-PF calculator, as well as the first pocket calculator, the Busicom LE-120A. The 4004 was followed by the Intel 8008 in April 1972, which had 8,500 transistors. The 8008 was used in the Datapoint 2200, the first commercial microprocessor-based computer. The next major milestone in microprocessor development was the release of the Intel 8086 in 1978. The 8086 had 29,000 transistors and was clocked at 5 MHz. It was used in the IBM PC, as well as a number of other early personal computers. The 8086 was followed by the 8088 in 1979, which was used in the IBM PC XT. The 8086/8088 architecture is still in use today, in the form of the Intel x86 processors. These processors are used in PCs, servers, and a variety of other devices.