Final answer:
In the late 1960s, the computing environment was transformed by the development of integrated circuits and microprocessors, enabling the creation of smaller and more powerful computers, including the first personal computers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conditions in the computing environment changed dramatically in the late 1960s due to the development of microprocessors and integrated circuits. The invention of the integrated circuit in 1958 by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce was a pivotal moment in computing history. These silicon-based integrated circuits allowed transistors and capacitors to be integrated in a compact form, freeing computer technology from size constraints and enabling the development of more powerful and smaller computers.
The transistor technology of the late 1950s and early 1960s enabled computers to become smaller, faster, and more power-efficient. These advancements paved the way for the creation of minicomputers, which were smaller and more affordable compared to mainframe computers. The emergence of the microprocessor, an entire computer processor on a single chip, revolutionized computing further by allowing the development of personal computers that hobbyists and later the broader market could afford.
Companies like Intel, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Apple played significant roles in advancing these technologies, resulting in rapid progress in computer capabilities-often referred to as Moore's Law-and the emergence of the modern desktop and laptop computers. By the 1970s, the personal computer market burgeoned with the release of the Altair 8800 and Apple II, marking a shift towards widespread consumer and business access to computing power.