A slot is an opening or groove in something. For example, a mail slot at a post office lets mail go through, while an airplane’s slot allows passengers to get off the plane. A slot is a valuable tool in managing air traffic at busy airports. When you make a slot, you allow multiple planes to use it simultaneously, preventing repeated delays. But what exactly is a “slot?” How does it work?

A slot is a hole or narrow opening where a computer processor connects. The idea behind this connection is to make it easier to replace the processor. In 1997, Intel Corporation released the original slot, which is still in use today. A year later, AMD released Slot A, which is not compatible with Slot 1. Then, in 1999, Intel introduced a bigger version of the same type of socket, the so-called “Slot 2.” This version of the slots was used by the Pentium II processor. Since then, slotted processors are no longer used in new computers. Instead, sockets are the replacement.

Despite its relatively recent introduction, it remains a common misconception among computer users that the slot has become obsolete. While there are a few other types of connections, the majority of modern computers have a slot for connecting the processor. Its original purpose was to make the process of replacing the processor easier. The Intel Corporation released the first slot in 1997, followed by AMD in 1999. Both of these slots are incompatible with each other, so the two slots are often confused.