Prospective capabilities in hardware
Margaret K. Butler · 1976
Today we can look back over the past thirty years and view the entire history of the electronic digital computer! In addressing the topic of prospective capabilities in hardware, this paper first attempts to extrapolate, from today's state-of-the-art and vantage point, general industry-wide trends and likely achievements. Then, an effort is made to cover in more detail specific areas of interest to the ERDA community. Subjects discussed include available large-scale computers---their architecture and viability. The microprocessor's impact on computer systems is considered, and potential applications of the microcomputer are identified. Then mass storage offerings and their role in predicted memory hierarchies is assessed; progress in the development of alternate storage technologies is reviewed. New products and anticipated innovations in peripheral and input-output equipment, probably the most lethargic segment of the dynamic hardware market, are described, and a survey of network and communications activity examines future directions this rapidly-expanding field might be expected to follow.