Comparison with vacuum tubes:

Prior to the growth of transistors, vacuum (electron) tubes (or in the UK (United Kingdom) "thermionic valves" or just "valves") were the major active components in electronic equipment.

Advantages:

The main advantages that have permitted transistors to replace their vacuum tube predecessors in several applications are

• Small size and minimal weight that permitting the development of miniaturized electronic devices.
• Highly automated manufacturing processes that resultant in low per-unit cost.
• Lower possible operating voltages, creating transistors appropriate for small, battery-powered applications.
• No warm-up period for cathode heaters needed after power application.
• Lower power dissipation and usually greater energy efficiency.
• Higher reliability and bigger physical ruggedness.
• Very long life. Some transistorized devices have been in service for much more than 50 years.
• Complementary devices available that facilitating the design of complementary-symmetry circuits, something not possible with vacuum tubes.
• Insensitivity to mechanical shock and vibration so avoiding the problem of microphonics in audio applications.