Final answer:
Microprocessors, key to the fourth generation of computers, emerged in 1971 and revolutionized personal computing by miniaturizing processing power onto a single chip. They led to the development of affordable personal computers such as the Apple II and IBM PC, underlining the exponential growth of technology as described by Moore's Law.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microprocessors allowed computers of the fourth generation to perform multiple calculations, applications, games, and communication. The history of the microprocessor dates back to 1971, with both Texas Instruments and Intel inventing it independently around the same time.
By the end of the 1980s, personal computers had become commonplace, and microprocessors were integrated into an array of devices. They were a revolutionary technology that allowed for an entire computer processor to be integrated onto a single chip, making personal computing affordable and widely accessible. Well-known early personal computers such as the Apple II and the IBM PC used these and set the stage for the modern computer age.
The rapid evolution of computing technology, described by Moore's Law, has led to the powerful desktop and laptop machines we use today. In the computer industry, engineers have played a crucial role in this technological advancement that has reshaped our society and economy.