1. Vacuum tubes: The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as their primary electronic component. These tubes were large, fragile, and generated a significant amount of heat, making early computers bulky and prone to frequent malfunctions.
2. Limited memory: First-generation computers had very limited memory capacity compared to modern computers. For example, the UNIVAC I, one of the first commercially available computers, had a memory capacity of only 1,000 words.
3. Batch processing: Early computers operated on a batch processing system, where users would submit their jobs to be processed in batches. This meant that users had to wait for their turn to use the computer, leading to long processing times.
4. Punch cards: Input and output for first-generation computers were often done using punch cards. Users would punch holes in cards to input data, which would then be read by the computer. Output was also often printed on punch cards.
5. Limited programming languages: Early computers were programmed using machine language, which was difficult and time-consuming to write. As a result, programming was a specialized skill that required a deep understanding of the computer's hardware.
6. Limited applications: The first generation of computers were primarily used for scientific and military applications, such as calculating missile trajectories or performing complex mathematical calculations. They were not yet capable of running the wide range of applications we use today.
7. High cost: Early computers were extremely expensive to build and maintain. For example, the ENIAC, one of the first electronic general-purpose computers, cost over $487,000 to build in the 1940s (equivalent to over $6 million today).
8. Limited reliability: Vacuum tubes were prone to burning out, leading to frequent malfunctions and downtime for early computers. This made them unreliable for critical applications that required continuous operation.
9. Limited speed: First-generation computers were much slower than modern computers. For example, the ENIAC could perform about 5,000 additions per second, while a modern computer can perform billions of operations per second.
10. Limited portability: Early computers were large and heavy, making them difficult to move or transport. For example, the ENIAC weighed over 27 tons and took up an entire room, making it impractical for most users to have their own personal computer.