What were computers like 20 years ago?

Answer 1

Most all computers in the 90s were still big desktops, and not really powerful enough for much of anything (or at least of what we would expect today). Most computers had extremely weak memory; enough to store only a few dozen documents, and also a floppy disk drive that will store 1 MB of information. Apple came out with the first successful "portable" computer, simply called the Macintosh Portable in 1989, which led the way to the current-day laptops. But technology has greatly changed in the past 20-25 years. The year 1990 was actually when the internet was first started, called the "hypertext" system. But all-in-all, computer technology in 1990 is the year when computers were used more and more by many people, instead of only by businesses. It really was the year when the gateway to computer technology was opened to the public.

Answer 2

Large, power hungry (due to vacuum tubes), small memory (100 to 1000 words only typical), memory cycle time ~20 microseconds, no such thing as general purpose registers (dedicated acc, mq, index, etc. registers), some used bit serial recirculating memory (delay lines or magnetic drums) for main memory.

Answer 3

• Command line user interfaces.
• 2400 baud modems, 9600 baud just being introduced but expensive.
• CRT displays, often monochrome (green/black common).
• Maximum memory available a few megabytes.
• Non-portable. The few portable ones severely limited by short battery life.
• No small embedded machines.

Answer 4

The computres back then were very slow usless pieces of art they didnt even hardly run that's how bacd they were people of today need to relize how lucky they are to have such improvements

Answer 5

the size of a room

Answer 6

Computers became common in homes.

Answer 7

Computers.