Which generation of computers utilized integrated circuits rather than thermionic valves or transistors?

The third generation of computers marked a significant advancement in technology with the introduction of integrated circuits (ICs). These circuits allowed for the miniaturization of computer components, which not only reduced the size of computers but also increased their speed and efficiency. Integrated circuits combine multiple transistors and other electronic components into a single chip, enabling computers to perform more complex calculations and operations at a much faster rate than was possible with the earlier generations that relied on individual thermionic valves (vacuum tubes) or discrete transistors.

The move to integrated circuits also resulted in improved reliability and reduced power consumption compared to earlier generations, which relied on bulkier and less efficient technologies. As a result, the third generation saw computers that were more accessible to a wider range of businesses and individuals, paving the way for widespread computer adoption. This transformation marked a pivotal shift from the large, cumbersome machines of the first two generations to more compact and versatile systems, characteristic of the era defined by integrated circuits.