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Evolution and types of Personal Computer

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Evolution and types of Personal Computer

In general term Home computer means computer for personal use. It is also called as PC. It is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end user, with no dominant computer operator. A PC may be used at home, or may be found in an office. Personal comptuers can be connected to a local area network (LAN) either by a cable or wirelessly. While early PC owners usually had to write their own programs to do anything useful with the machines, today’s users have access to a wide range of commercial and non-commercial software which is provided in ready-to-run form. Since the 1980s, Microsoft and Intel have been dominating much of the personal computer market.

Personal Computer was a class of personal computer entering the market in 1977 and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as accessible personal computers, more capable than video game consoles. These computers typically cost much less than business, scientific or engineering-oriented desktop personal computers of the time, and were generally less powerful in terms of memory and expandability. However, a home computer often had better graphics and sound than contemporary business personal computers. Usually they were purchased for education, game play, and personal productivity use such as word processing.

Workstation – SuperFast PC of new world

Types of Personal Computer – PC
A personal computer may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, tablet computer or a palmtop.

* Workstation
A workstation is a high-end personal computer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems.

* Nettop

A subtype of desktops, called nettops, was introduced by Intel in February 2008 to describe low-cost, lean-function, desktop computers. These feature the new Intel Atom processor which specially enables them to consume less power and to be built into small enclosures.

* Desktop computer
Prior to the wide spread of PCs a computer that could fit on a desk was considered remarkably small. Today the phrase usually indicates a particular style of computer case. Desktop computers come in a variety of styles ranging from large vertical tower cases to small form factor models that can be tucked behind an LCD monitor. Most modern desktop computers have separate screens and keyboards.

* Netbook
Netbooks are small portable computers in a “clamshell” design, that are designed specifically for wireless communication and access to the Internet. They are generally much lighter and cheaper than subnotebooks, and have a smaller display, between 7″ and 9″.

* Laptop

A laptop computer or simply laptop, also called a notebook computer or sometimes a notebook, is a small personal computer designed for mobility. Usually all of the interface hardware needed to operate the laptop, such as parallel and serial ports, graphics card, sound channel, etc., are built in to a single unit. Laptops contain high capacity batteries that can power the device for extensive periods of time, enhancing portability.

* Tablet PC
A tablet PC is a notebook or slate-shaped mobile computer. Its touchscreen or graphics tablet/screen hybrid technology allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse.

* Ultra-Mobile PC
The ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is a specification for a small form factor. It was developed as a joint development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung, among others.

* Home theater PC
A home theater PC (HTPC) is a convergence device that combines the functions of a personal computer and a digital video recorder. It is connected to a television or a television-sized computer display and is often used as a digital photo, music, video player, TV receiver and digital video recorder.

* Pocket PC

A pocket PC is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer that runs the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. It has many of the capabilities of modern desktop PCs.

PC- Home Computer Trends, Types and Technology

Evolution of Personal Computer – PC
The introduction of the microprocessor, a single chip with all the circuitry that formerly occupied large cabinets, led to the proliferation of personal computers after about 1975. In what was later to be called The Mother of All Demos, SRI researcher Douglas Englebart in 1968 gave a preview of what would become the staples of daily working life in the 21st century – e-mail, hypertext, word processing, video conferencing, and the mouse.

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