personal computer (PC)

personal computer (PC)
Microcomputer designed for use by one person at a time.

A typical PC assemblage comprises a CPU; internal memory consisting of RAM and ROM; data storage devices (including a hard disc, a floppy disc, or CD-ROM); and input/output devices (including a display screen, keyboard, mouse, and printer). The PC industry began in 1977 when Apple Computer introduced the Apple II. Radio Shack and Commodore Business Machines also introduced PCs that year. IBM entered the PC market in 1981. The IBM PC, with increased memory capacity and backed by IBM's large sales organization, quickly became the industry standard. Apple's Macintosh (1984) was particularly useful for desktop publishing. Microsoft Corp. introduced MS Windows (1985), a graphical user interface that gave PCs many of the capabilities of the Macintosh, initially as an overlay of MS-DOS. Windows went on to replace MS-DOS as the dominant operating system for personal computers. Uses of PCs multiplied as the machines became more powerful and application software proliferated. Today, PCs are used for word processing, Internet access, and many other daily tasks.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • personal computer — ➔ PC * * * personal computer UK US noun [C] ► IT PC(Cf. ↑PC): »Many individuals now look to their personal computers to receive information about their investments …   Financial and business terms

  • personal computer — /ˈpɛrsonal komˈpjuter, ingl. ˈpYːsən(J)l kJm&pju:tJ(r)/ [vc. ingl., comp. di personal «personale, individuale» e computer (V.)] loc. sost. m. inv. home computer (ingl.), personal, PC □ (est.) elaboratore, cervello elettronico, computer,… …   Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione

  • personal computer — [n] computer clone, desktop computer, home computer, IBM PC, laptop*, MAC, Macintosh, microcomputer, minicomputer, PC; concepts 269,463 …   New thesaurus

  • personal computer — / pə:snl kəm pju:tə/, it. / pɛrsonal kom pjuter/ locuz. ingl. (propr. calcolatore personale ), usata in ital. come s.m. (inform.) [apparecchio per l elaborazione di dati numerici e di altro tipo] ▶◀ calcolatore (elettronico), computer,… …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • personal computer — personal com puter noun count a small computer designed to be used by one person at home or in an office. A personal computer is often simply called a PC …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • personal computer — personal computers N COUNT A personal computer is a computer that is used by one person at a time in a business, a school, or at home. The abbreviation PC is also used …   English dictionary

  • personal computer — n. a small, relatively inexpensive computer whose central processing unit is a microprocessor: used in the home, small businesses, etc …   English World dictionary

  • personal computer — ► NOUN ▪ a microcomputer designed for use by one person at a time …   English terms dictionary

  • Personal computer — This article is about personal computers in general. For computers generally referred to as PCs , see IBM PC compatible. For hardware components dealing with personal computers, see Personal computer hardware. Personal computer An illustration of …   Wikipedia

  • Personal Computer — Apple II Commodore PET 2001 IB …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • personal computer — a microcomputer designed for individual use, as by a person in an office or at home or school, for such applications as word processing, data management, financial analysis, or computer games. Abbr.: PC [1975 80] * * *       a digital computer… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”