Up until the introduction of Mobile Computing in the 2000s, what phrase best describes the progression of computer development from the beginning of the 20th century?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

From the early 20th century through the late 1990s, computing followed a clear trajectory of increased computational power combined with dramatic reductions in physical size and cost.

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Hardware evolution: vacuum tubes → transistors → integrated circuits → microprocessors.
- Moore’s Law: transistor density (and thus potential processing power) roughly doubling every ~18–24 months.
- Form-factor trends: room-sized mainframes → refrigerator-sized second-generation machines → cabinet-sized minicomputers → desktop PCs → laptops.
- Economic trend: cost per unit of computing fell as performance rose.

2. Step-by-step reasoning
- Early machines (e.g., ENIAC) occupied rooms and consumed large power but performed basic calculations.
- The transistor (1950s–60s) and later integrated circuits enabled more components in smaller spaces, improving speed and reliability.
- Minicomputers (1960s–70s) made smaller systems available for labs and businesses; microprocessors (1970s onward) brought personal computers.
- Through the 1980s–1990s, performance steadily increased while devices shrank from desks to laps, enabling more powerful desktops and portable laptops.
- Only in the 2000s did “mobile computing” (smartphones, pervasive wireless) shift emphasis to ubiquitous connectivity and extreme mobility.

3. Intermediate steps / evidence
- Examples: ENIAC → IBM mainframes → PDP minicomputers → IBM PC / Apple II → laptops. Moore’s Law explains how more transistors (thus power) fit in smaller chips, enabling the size reduction.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
- “More powerful machines yet with smaller size” captures the persistent pattern: steadily increasing capability paired with miniaturization up to the 2000s, when mobility and always-on connectivity became defining.

5. Why other options are incorrect
- “Increasingly intelligent machines”: AI progress was intermittent and not the dominant, continuous trend through the 20th century.
- “Faster Internet connections”: Broadband and rapid Internet growth became significant later and do not describe hardware progression from the century’s start.
- “Increasingly expensive”: Opposite occurred—cost per computing unit generally decreased, making computing more accessible.

6. Conclusion
The historical progression is best described as “More powerful machines yet with smaller size,” which matches the provided answer.

Up until the introduction of Mobile Computing in the 2000s, what phrase best describes the progression of computer development from the beginning of the 20th century?单项选择题

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