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Part 4

Family Range, Compatibility, and Evolution

The relentless pace of technology has fostered the concept of computer systems that are related through some architectural similarity. Such sets of related computer systems form a family. At least three types of computer families have been historically identified.

Part 4 focuses on six families ranging from microcomputers to maxicomputers. Each family grew up under a different set of constraints. The evolution of these families and the decisions on how to utilize technology are traced. The range, compatibility, cost, and cost/performance will be analyzed for each family.


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