microcomputers
Personal computing devices
Microcomputers are small computers built around a microprocessor—a single integrated circuit containing the central processing unit.
The term emerged in the 1970s to distinguish personal and desktop machines from room-sized mainframes and cabinet-sized minicomputers.
Today most computers are microcomputers, so the term appears mainly in historical or technical contexts: The microcomputer revolution made computing accessible to ordinary households.
Landmark 1977 microcomputer
- Commodore 64Popular 1982 home computer
- AmigaCommodore's 1985 home computer
- IBM PC1981 personal computer standard
- SinclairScottish-origin family name
Computer's primary circuit platform
- processorComponent that executes instructions
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- floppy diskFlexible magnetic storage medium
- hard driveComputer's internal storage device
keyboard · monitor · mouse · expansion slots · serial port · parallel port · modem · printer
Self-made alcoholic beverage
- hobbyistsRecreational pursuit enthusiasts
- enthusiastsPeople deeply into something
- hackersUnauthorized computer system intruders
- user groupsOrganized communities of participants
magazines · bulletin boards · garage · DIY · soldering · tinkering · piracy · swapping
Tightly packed together
- portableAble to be carried
- desktopPrimary computer interface
- miniaturizedReduced to tiny size
- all-in-oneCombined into one unit
tower · luggable · laptop · palmtop · embedded · rack-mounted · workstation
Early PC operating system
- BASICBeginner-friendly programming language
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- LinuxOpen-source operating system kernel
- assembly languageMnemonic-based processor instructions
Pascal · FORTRAN · operating system · boot disk · command line · machine code · compiler · debugger
Digital text manipulation
- spreadsheetsTabular data documents
- databaseOrganized digital information collection
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
- desktop publishingComputer-based document creation
programming · graphics · educational · productivity · utilities · communications · email · multimedia
Apple II
Landmark 1977 microcomputer
- Commodore 64Popular 1982 home computer
- AmigaCommodore's 1985 home computer
- IBM PC1981 personal computer standard
motherboard
Computer's primary circuit platform
- processorComponent that executes instructions
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- floppy diskFlexible magnetic storage medium
hard drive · keyboard · monitor · mouse · expansion slots · serial port · parallel port · modem · printer · joystick
homebrew
Self-made alcoholic beverage
- hobbyistsRecreational pursuit enthusiasts
- enthusiastsPeople deeply into something
- hackersUnauthorized computer system intruders
user groups · magazines · bulletin boards · garage · DIY · soldering · tinkering · piracy · swapping · LAN parties
compact
Tightly packed together
- portableAble to be carried
- desktopPrimary computer interface
- miniaturizedReduced to tiny size
all-in-one · tower · luggable · laptop · palmtop · embedded · rack-mounted · workstation
MS-DOS
Early PC operating system
- BASICBeginner-friendly programming language
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- LinuxOpen-source operating system kernel
assembly language · Pascal · FORTRAN · operating system · boot disk · command line · machine code · compiler · debugger · firmware
word processing
Digital text manipulation
- spreadsheetsTabular data documents
- databaseOrganized digital information collection
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
desktop publishing · programming · graphics · educational · productivity · utilities · communications · email · multimedia · file management
microcomputersmainframes
Large central computers
supercomputers · big iron · server farms · data centers · ENIAC