This list of early third-generation computers, tabulates those computers using monolithic integrated circuits (ICs) as their primary logic elements, starting from small-scale integration CPUs (SSI) to large-scale integration CPUs (LSI). Computers primarily using ICs first came into use about 1961 for military use. With the availability of reliable low-cost ICs in the mid 1960s commercial third-generation computers using ICs started to appear.
The fourth generation of computers began with the shipment of CPS-1, the first commercial microprocessor microcomputer, in 1972 and for the purposes of this list marks the end of the "early" third-generation computer era. Third-generation computers were offered well into the 1990s.
The list is organized by delivery year to customers or production/operational date. In some cases only the first computer from any one manufacturer is listed. Computers announced, but never completed, are not included. Computers without documented manual input (keyboard/typewriter/control unit) are also not included.
1961
1962
1963
1965
1967
1970
1971
This table of commercial third-generation computers has been constructed by merging of several lists of computers offered from February 1965, the date of the shipment of the first commercial third-generation computer, through 1971 and then finding reliable sources as to the generation of the models listed and the associated dates.