Final answer:
A minicomputer is a type of computer positioned between a mainframe and a personal computer that once enabled multiple users to conduct computing tasks simultaneously, but has now been largely replaced by modern PCs. Microchips were key in scaling down computer size and advancing personal computing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A minicomputer is a computer, usually a high-powered workstation, a minicomputer, or a mainframe, that houses information for manipulation by networked clients. Minicomputers, although less powerful than mainframes, supported many users simultaneously and brought computing capabilities to smaller businesses and university labs. Acts like a bridge between the large mainframe computers and the personal computers, minicomputers have largely been supplanted by the powerful desktops we see today.
The development of the microchip, which contains a large amount of electronic circuitry on a small silicon chip, played a pivotal role in the evolution of digital computers. Microchips enabled the same technology that once filled an entire room to be condensed into a small box, leading to the proliferation of personal computers. These computational advancements changed the way we communicate, manage information, and conduct business, greatly contributing to the modern era of digitalization, where computers have become an essential staple in society.