Final answer:
The evolution of personal computers began with the invention of the integrated circuit and microprocessor, with the Intel 4004 being the first of its kind. The Apple II took advantage of these technologies, bringing about a revolution in personal computing. Minicomputers, modems, magnetic tape, and motherboards were also critical to the development of modern computers.
Step-by-step explanation:
History of Personal Computers
The transformation of computing machines from massive, expensive systems to the affordable and compact personal computers we know today has been dramatic. The journey began with groundbreaking innovations such as the integrated circuit and the microprocessor.
In 1971, Intel changed the course of computing history with the release of the Intel 4004, the first microprocessor, which became the vital core for subsequent personal computers. The Apple II, released in 1980, was one of the early personal computers that capitalized on these technologies, bringing computing power into homes and businesses.
Minicomputers like the PDP-12 laid the groundwork by making computers accessible to smaller institutions. Modems further expanded the potential by enabling early computer networks, which blossomed into the connectivity we have today.
Magnetic tape was used for data storage in the early days of computing, while the motherboard has been the main circuit board within a computer, holding important components and allowing them to communicate.