History of Computer Motherboards<br><br>


Motherboard is the most vital component of a computer, connecting almost all peripherals of a computer. Without it, computer will just be an empty box of tin. Wondering how have they evolved over time! To know about the history of computer motherboards, read on...
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Motherboard is a complex printed circuit board (PCB), that is the central part of many electronic systems, particularly the computers. They are alternately known as mainboard, system board, or logic board (Apple Computers). A motherboard is a platform that offers electrical connections through which other components of a computer communicate, and it also has the central processing unit (CPU), generally referred to as the brain of computer. Motherboards are also present in mobile phones, clocks, stop watches, etc. Motherboards include a lot of essential components of a computer such as microprocessor, main memory, microprocessor's supporting chipset that provides interfaces between CPU and other external components. The devices revolutionized the way computer systems were designed. The earlier versions were confusing and time-consuming. Few things that a motherboard nowadays include are:<br><br>

    * Sockets for microprocessors<br>
    * Slots where main memory (Random Access Memory) is installed<br>
    * A chipset that forms an interface between CPU, main memory and peripheral buses<br>
    * BIOS (Basic input/output system)<br>
    * Expansion card slots, etc<br><br>

History of Motherboard<br><br>

Before the invention of microprocessors, computers were built in mainframes, with components which were connected by a backplane that had countless slots for connecting wires. In old designs, wires were needed to connect card connector pins but, soon they became a thing of past with the invent of PCBs. The CPU, memory and other peripherals were all housed on this printed circuit board.<br><br>

During the late 1980s and 1990s, it was found that increasing the number of peripheral functions on the PCB was very economical. Hence, single Integrated Circuits (ICs), capable of supporting low-speed peripherals like serial ports , mouse, keyboards, etc., were included on the motherboards. By the late 1990s, they began to have full range of audio, video, storage and networking functions on them. Higher end systems for 3D gaming and graphic cards were also include later.<br><br>

Micronics, Mylex, AMI, DTK, Orchid Technology, Elitegroup, etc. were few companies that were early pioneers in the field of motherboard manufacturing but, companies like Apple and IBM soon took over. They offered high-end, sophisticated motherboards that included upgraded features and superior performance over prevailing motherboards.<br><br>

Timeline of Motherboard & its Industry<br><br>

1975: Introduction of Apple I, a device that consisted a motherboard, a keyboard and a display.<br><br>
1987: Elitegroup Computer Systems Co. Ltd was established in Taiwan and became the largest supplier of motherboards in the world.<br><br>
1989: AsusTek, one of Taiwan's top 5 company, started manufacturing graphic cards.<br><br>
1993: First International Computer Inc. becomes the largest motherboard manufacturer in the world.<br><br>
1997: Intel Corp. plans to add to its monopoly in microprocessor by manufacturing motherboards.
2000: ATI Technologies Inc. announces graphic cards technology, an advancement, in computer graphics.
2007: AsusTek becomes the world's largest maker of computer motherboards.<br><br>

Since their inception was late in 1970s, motherboards have revolutionized the way computers are designed and their size have become smaller too. Just the motherboard holds millions of transistors. Research and development is still on their improvement, and there will be a time when we will have supercomputer kind of fast laptops in our hands, all credits being to motherboards.