personal computers
Home computing devices
Personal computers are general-purpose computing devices designed for individual use, distinguished from larger machines shared among many users or specialized devices with limited functions.
The term emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when computers became affordable for homes and small businesses: Every student needs access to a personal computer.
Often abbreviated PC, though that term has come to mean specifically Windows-based machines as opposed to Macs.
Main computing chip
- motherboardComputer's primary circuit platform
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- hard driveComputer's internal storage device
- SSDChip-based storage device
graphics card · power supply · case · cooling fan · heatsink · USB ports · optical drive · sound card
1981 personal computer standard
- Apple IILandmark 1977 microcomputer
- Commodore 64Popular 1982 home computer
- DOSText-based computer platform
- floppy diskFlexible magnetic storage medium
dial-up · CRT monitor · dot matrix printer · Macintosh · microcomputer · home computer · Intel · Microsoft
- ergonomicsStudy of work efficiency
- monitor standPlatform elevating a display
- keyboard trayRetractable typing surface
- cable managementArranging cords systematically
webcam · microphone · speakers · docking station · external drives · mouse pad · lighting · home office
Software managing computer resources
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- macOSApple computer operating system
- LinuxOpen-source operating system kernel
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
drivers · antivirus · firewall · browser · installation · updates · patches · registry
Visual processing hardware
- frame rateDisplay refresh frequency
- gaming rigHigh-end computer for play
- mechanical keyboardSwitch-based typing device
- gaming mouseSpecialized cursor controller
headset · streaming · modding · overclocking · RGB lighting · refresh rate · resolution · benchmarks
Document creation software
- spreadsheetTabular data organizer
- presentation softwareApplication for creating slideshows
- databaseOrganized digital information collection
- email clientProgram for electronic correspondence
project management · document editing · workflow · multitasking · dual monitors · cloud storage · backup · templates
CPU
Main computing chip
- motherboardComputer's primary circuit platform
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- hard driveComputer's internal storage device
SSD · graphics card · power supply · case · cooling fan · heatsink · USB ports · optical drive · sound card · network card
IBM PC
1981 personal computer standard
- Apple IILandmark 1977 microcomputer
- Commodore 64Popular 1982 home computer
- DOSText-based computer platform
floppy disk · dial-up · CRT monitor · dot matrix printer · Macintosh · microcomputer · home computer · Intel · Microsoft · hobbyist
desk setup
- ergonomicsStudy of work efficiency
- monitor standPlatform elevating a display
- keyboard trayRetractable typing surface
cable management · webcam · microphone · speakers · docking station · external drives · mouse pad · lighting · home office · workstation
operating system
Software managing computer resources
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- macOSApple computer operating system
- LinuxOpen-source operating system kernel
applications · drivers · antivirus · firewall · browser · installation · updates · patches · registry · file system
graphics card
Visual processing hardware
- frame rateDisplay refresh frequency
- gaming rigHigh-end computer for play
- mechanical keyboardSwitch-based typing device
gaming mouse · headset · streaming · modding · overclocking · RGB lighting · refresh rate · resolution · benchmarks · gaming laptop
word processor
Document creation software
- spreadsheetTabular data organizer
- presentation softwareApplication for creating slideshows
- databaseOrganized digital information collection
email client · project management · document editing · workflow · multitasking · dual monitors · cloud storage · backup · templates · shortcuts
- computerscomputer, desktop, desktops, laptop, laptops
- technologyelectronics, computing, computer, internet, social media
- 20th CenturyWorld War I aftermath, Cuban Missile Crisis, atomic bomb, New Deal, Nazi Germany
- 80s-90s cultureMTV, VHS, cassette tapes, CDs, Walkman
- 2000siPhone, Wii, MySpace, YouTube, Hurricane Katrina
- tech equipmentlaptops, desktops, monitors, keyboards, mice
personal computersmainframes
Large central computers
servers · supercomputers · minicomputers · data centers · dumb terminals
personal computerscloud computing
Internet-delivered digital infrastructure
software as a service · web applications · streaming services · Chromebooks · virtual desktops
personal computerssmartphones
Handheld touchscreen computers
tablets · mobile devices · wearable computers · handheld devices · smartwatches
personal, personality, personally, impersonal, personable, computers, personnel, personage, compartmentalize