personal computer
Individual's computing device
A personal computer is a general-purpose computer designed for individual use, as opposed to mainframes or servers shared among many users.
The term emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as computing moved from institutions into homes and offices.
Desktop and laptop computers are the primary forms.
Often abbreviated PC, which in common usage specifically means Windows-based machines as distinct from Macs.
Primary computer interface
- GUIVisual computer interface
- iconsRepresentative small images
- clickBrief sharp noise
- drag-and-dropMoving items via cursor
multitasking · taskbar · window · menu · cursor · shortcut · wallpaper · notification
Computer's primary circuit platform
- CPUMain computing chip
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- hard driveComputer's internal storage device
power supply · monitor · keyboard · mouse · cooling fan · sound card · optical drive · peripheral
Software managing computer resources
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- macOSApple computer operating system
- LinuxOpen-source operating system kernel
- applicationFormal request document
browser · antivirus · firewall · word processor · spreadsheet · database · email client · driver
1981 personal computer standard
- DOSText-based computer platform
- floppy diskFlexible magnetic storage medium
- dial-upPhone-line internet connection
- CRT monitorElectron-beam display device
Commodore · Apple II · Macintosh · desktop publishing · microprocessor · Intel · AMD · clone
Portable hinged computer
- notebookBlank pages for jottings
- netbookCompact budget laptop
- MacBookAluminum portable computer brand
- ChromebookGoogle's lightweight laptop
Surface · ThinkPad · convertible · 2-in-1 · clamshell · trackpad · battery life · mobility
desktop
Primary computer interface
drag-and-drop · multitasking · taskbar · window · menu · cursor · shortcut · wallpaper · notification · folder
motherboard
Computer's primary circuit platform
- CPUMain computing chip
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
hard drive · power supply · monitor · keyboard · mouse · cooling fan · sound card · optical drive · peripheral · BIOS
operating system
Software managing computer resources
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- macOSApple computer operating system
- LinuxOpen-source operating system kernel
application · browser · antivirus · firewall · word processor · spreadsheet · database · email client · driver · update
IBM PC
1981 personal computer standard
- DOSText-based computer platform
- floppy diskFlexible magnetic storage medium
- dial-upPhone-line internet connection
CRT monitor · Commodore · Apple II · Macintosh · desktop publishing · microprocessor · Intel · AMD · clone · beige box
laptop
Portable hinged computer
Chromebook · Surface · ThinkPad · convertible · 2-in-1 · clamshell · trackpad · battery life · mobility · carrying case
ethernet
Wired networking standard
HDMI · VGA · USB-C · networking · router · modem · dongle · port · cable · wireless
- computersdesktop, desktops, laptop, laptops, PC
- Innovationselectricity, steam engine, printing press, telephone, telegraph
- American InnovationEdison, Thomas Edison, Bell Labs, Silicon Valley, Wright brothers
- Computing HistoryENIAC, UNIVAC, mainframe, mainframes, punch card
- Steve JobsSteve Jobs, Apple, iPhone, iPad, iPod
- 1970s ScienceVoyager missions, CT scan, recombinant DNA, gene splicing, microprocessor
personal computermainframe
Large centralized computer system
mainframe computer · supercomputer · minicomputer · server · data center
personal computersmartphone
Handheld connected computer
mobile device · tablet · handheld device · wearable computer · smartwatch
personal computercloud computing
Internet-delivered digital infrastructure
dumb terminal · remote server · terminal · virtual machine · cloud server
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