I've been writing on CPU technology here at Ars for almost five years now, and during that time I've done my best to communicate computing concepts in as plain and accessible a manner as possible ...

The Birth of the Microprocessor The Intel 4004 is considered the first microprocessor, but its creation by Intel came down to a combination of hard work, the right timing, and just plain luck.

A microprocessor is a complex, programmable integrated circuit (IC) on a single chip that can execute instructions. This generally includes CPUs found in computers but also refers to the ...

The big picture: Intel forever changed the trajectory of computing - and really, human history - with the introduction of the first commercially available microprocessor. The Intel 4004 launched 50 ...

Creating the 8080: The Processor That Started the PC Revolution If the introduction of the Intel 8008 led to a variety of interesting devices that can be considered the first early PCs, it was its ...

Thirty years ago, on June 8, 1978, Intel Corp. introduced its first 16-bit microprocessor, the 8086, with a splashy ad heralding “the dawn of a new era.” Overblown? Sure, but also prophetic. While the ...