, located at the NASA Ames Research Center. laptop computer. A 'computer' is a programmable machine that receives input, stores and
manipulates data//information, and provides output in a useful format. While a computer can, in theory, be made out of almost anything (see
misconceptions section), and mechanical examples of computers have existed
through much of recorded human history, the first electronic computers were
developed in the mid-20th century (1940–1945). Originally, they were the size
of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal
computers (PCs).[In 1946, ENIAC required an estimated 174 kW. By
comparison, a modern laptop computer may use around 30 W; nearly six
thousand times less. {{cite web
|url=http://www.upenn.edu/computing/provider/docs/hardware/powerusage.html
|title=Approximate Desktop & Notebook Power Usage |publisher=University of
Pennsylvania |accessdate=2009-06-20}}] Modern computers based on integrated
circuits are millions to billions of times more capable than the early machines,
and occupy a fraction of the space.[Early computers such as Colossus and
ENIAC were able to process between 5 and 100 operations per second. A modern
"commodity" microprocessor (as of 2007) can process billions of operations per
second, and many of these operations are more complicated and useful than early
computer operations. {{cite web |url=http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-
na/eng/products/mobile/processors/core2duo_m/feature/index.htm |title=Intel
Core2 Duo Mobile Processor: Features |publisher=Intel Corporation |accessdate=2009-06-
20}}] Simple computers are small enough to fit into mobile devices, and can
be powered by a small battery. Personal computers in their various forms are
icons of the Information Age and are what most people think of as "computers".
However, the embedded computers found in many devices from MP3 players to
fighter aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are the most numerous.
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