Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
What should
I know about
the sizes and
speeds of
computers?
The following true/false quiz highlights several issues related to
the size and speed of computers. Before reading the chapter, make
your guess about each of the following four statements:
1. True or false: The size of computer memory chips has dou
bled about every 18 months since 1965.
2. True or false: The size of disk memory has grown by about
50% every year or so since 1982.
3. True or false: The capacities of central processing units
(CPUs) within a computer have a long record of doubling
about every 18 months.
4. True or false: With the size and speed of computers increas
ing so quickly, and with the cost of computers decreasing reg
ularly, computers should be able to solve most any problem
within a few years.
We'll get to the answers to these true/false questions before
long, but first, let's consider images that are common in the popular
press. Various sources seem to reinforce the perception that state
ment 4 is true—even if some of the details in statements 1, 2, and 3
may not be. But are these perceptions correct?
Advertising and news reports commonly publicize new and im
proved products. In the field of technology, such publicity often
touts faster computers with more storage capacity and expanded
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