So, personal computer (PC) or PC (English Personal Computer) is a computer that can be used (or owned) by one person (from the word “personal”, that is, for one person).
Moreover, using this means such everyday functions as “walking” on the Internet, watching videos, playing games, working, studying, etc. That is, everything that we usually do on a PC in our free time, everything that is available to most users.
Typically, desktop or mobile (laptop, tablet) computers are used as a PC.
A little history of the personal computer
At the beginning of their journey, the first computers (1964) were created exclusively as computing machines. That is, various computational operations were carried out on them, due to their large volume and quantity.
The first buyers of such computer equipment were exclusively firms and organizations; for ordinary people it was of no value. PCs began to acquire modern features 20 years later, when the mass-produced IBM PC architecture appeared in the 1980s.
Now the PC has become the most widespread type of computing device, and this happened not so long ago, in 1995. This year was marked by the release of the operating system (OS) Windows 95, which had gone a long way to adapt to the average person and now represented great opportunities for home use.
That is, starting with this version, PC and Windows OS began their victorious march around the world, facilitated by maximum simplicity and convenience.
What about your PC developments?
It is worth noting that in the USSR, work was also actively carried out on the creation of various computer equipment, including personal computers.
But since at that time the crisis of the Soviet system was in full swing, and subsequently the collapse of the USSR in general (which led to a decline in the economy, the curtailment of many industries, and the relocation of many development engineers to other countries), the creation of a domestic PC remained at the original level.
Although some developments are currently underway in the post-Soviet space (Russia - Elbrus processor, Belarus, Ukraine, etc.), they are proceeding extremely slowly, mainly for the military industry or government organizations.
Modern personal computer (PC)
This is an extremely convenient and useful device. Now, with the help of a home (or work) PC, we can carry out a lot of useful and simply entertaining activities. Today, every PC owner can freely:
- Use the Internet (news, social networks, searching for various information in search engines)
- Watch countless movies, videos
- Read e-books, magazines, scientific, educational literature, etc.
- Play games from small to large-scale, made with amazing realism (these are various military operations, auto and air simulators, fantasy, adventure, which are often an interactive film)
- Self-education, now on the Internet you can find a huge number of different educational materials (audio or video lessons) in any discipline, study them and thereby obtain a specialty without leaving home
- Plus, the presence of a large number of different programs on the PC also expands the possibilities of its use to almost endless
As a result of what has been said, we note that over its 50 years of existence, the personal computer has gone through a simply phenomenal path in the development of its functions and capabilities. In this short period of time (on the scale of history), we have received opportunities that collectively cover entire millennia of the existence of our civilization.
Also thanks to this entire process of technology development, you can read articles on
- I like it
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- October 13, 2015
- Alex website
This article contains a brief computer review: talks about what computers are, how they differ and what they are needed for.
What is a personal computer
Computers are electronic computing machines that perform tasks or calculations in accordance with a set of instructions, or programs. The first all-electronic computers, created in the 1940s, were huge and required many people to operate them. Compared to those early machines, today's computers are this is just a miracle. They are not only thousands of times faster, but also incomparably more compact: Can fit on your desk, lap or even in your pocket.
Computers operate by interconnecting hardware and software. Equipment call the visible and material components of a computer, including the case and all its contents. The most important device in the hardware is a small rectangular chip inside the computer called CPU or microprocessor. This is the “brain” of the computer—the part that interprets commands and performs calculations. Hardware components such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and others are often called devices.
Software are commands, or programs, that tell the hardware what to do. For example, one type of software is a text editor, which you can use to write letters on your computer. An operating system is the software that runs your computer and the devices connected to it. Windows is a widely used operating system.
ENIAC
Developed in 1946, the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) was the first general-purpose electronic computer. It was built for the United States Army to calculate the trajectories of artillery shells.
ENIAC was enormous in size, weighing over 27,000 kilograms and filling a large room. To process the data, ENIAC used about 18,000 vacuum tubes, each the size of a regular light bulb. The lamps burned out quickly and constantly needed to be replaced.
Computer types
Computers vary in size and capabilities. At one end of the scale are supercomputers, very large computers with thousands of interconnected microprocessors that can perform extremely complex calculations.
On the other side are small computers built into cars, televisions, stereos, calculators and home appliances. These computers are designed to perform a limited number of tasks.
Personal Computer or PC, is a computer designed to be used by one person at a time. This section describes the different types of personal computers: desktop, laptop, pocket and tablet PCs.
Desktop computers
Desktop computers designed for desk work. They are usually larger and more powerful than other types of personal computers. Desktop computers are made up of individual components. The main component is called the system unit - usually a rectangular case that is located on or under the table. Other components, such as a monitor, mouse and keyboard, are connected to the system unit.
Laptops and netbooks
Laptop computers- These are lightweight mobile PCs with a thin screen. Laptop computers can run on batteries, so you can take them with you anywhere. Unlike desktop PCs, laptops combine the central processor, screen and keyboard in one case. When not in use, the screen folds down onto the keyboard.
Netbooks(often called mini-laptops) are small, affordable portable PCs designed to perform a limited number of tasks. They are usually less powerful than laptops, so they are used primarily for browsing the Internet and checking email.
Smartphones
Smartphones- These are mobile phones that have capabilities similar to a computer.
You can use your smartphone to make phone calls, access the Internet, store contact information, send emails and text messages, play games, and take photos. Smartphones usually have a keyboard and a wide screen.
Pocket computers
Some PDAs have advanced capabilities, such as making phone calls or the Internet. Instead of a keyboard, Pocket PCs are equipped with a touch screen that recognizes the touch of a finger or stylus.
Tablet computers
Tablet PCs- These are mobile computers that combine the capabilities of laptops and pocket computers. Like laptops, they are powerful and have a built-in screen. Like pocket PCs, they allow you to write notes or draw on the screen.
Typically, this is done not with a stylus, but with a tablet PC pen. They can also turn handwritten text into printed text. Some tablet computers have a universal solution - a screen that rotates and reveals a keyboard hidden underneath.
What can you use a computer for?
At work, many people use computers to store records, analyze data, conduct research, and manage projects. At home, computers can be used to search for information, store music and pictures, keep track of finances, play games and communicate - the list goes on.
You can also use your computer to connect to the Internet, a network that connects computers all over the world. Internet access is usually available for a monthly fee in most cities and is now spreading to less populated areas. By connecting to the Internet, you can communicate with people from all over the world and find large amounts of information.
Here are some popular ways to use computers:
Surfing the Internet
Web (also called the World Wide Web or the Internet) is a giant repository of information. The web is the most popular part of the Internet, partly because it displays information in a visually appealing format.
On one page, headlines, texts, images (like on a magazine page) can be combined with voiceovers and animation. A website is a collection of interconnected web pages. The web contains millions of sites and billions of web pages.
Internet navigation means browsing various web pages. On the Internet you can find information on almost any topic imaginable. For example, you can read news and movie reviews, check flight schedules, view a city map, get a weather forecast, or learn about health conditions. Most companies, institutions, museums and libraries have websites with information about their products, services or collections. Reference sources such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are also widely available.
The Internet is also a joy for the buyer. On the websites of large retail establishments you can view and buy goods: books, music, toys, clothes, electronics and much more. You can also buy and sell used items through websites that offer them through auctions.
Electronic mail (abbreviated as email) is a fast and convenient way to communicate. An email message appears almost instantly in the recipient's email inbox.
You can send email messages to multiple recipients at once, and you can save, print, and forward them to others. You can send almost any type of file in an email message: documents, pictures, and music. Plus, you don't need stamps for email!
Instant messages
Instant messaging resembles a conversation with another person or group of people in real time. After you type and send an instant message, it immediately appears to everyone in the conversation.
Unlike email, instant messaging requires all participants to be online (connected to the Internet) and in front of their computer screens. Communication via instant messages is called chat.
Picture, music and films
If you have a digital camera, you can transfer images from the camera to your computer. You can then print these images, create slideshows from them, or share them by posting them on a website or sending them by email.
In addition, you can listen to music on your computer: music recordings need to be imported from CDs or purchased from a music website. You can also set up your computer to receive any of the thousands of radio stations that broadcast their programs on the Internet. If your computer is equipped with a DVD player, you can also watch movies.
Games
Do you like games? There are thousands of computer games of all possible categories. Test yourself behind the wheel of a sports car, in battle with terrible underground creatures, or rule civilizations and empires!
Many games allow you to compete with players from all over the world via the Internet. Windows includes a variety of card games, strategy games, and puzzles. For more information, see
Computer translated from English means “computer”. It is a device that performs a certain, predetermined sequence of operations. A given sequence of operations is called software. Computers have a very wide range of applications. They are used for any complex calculations, for accumulating, processing, storing, receiving and transmitting information, controlling machines and mechanisms in production, for creating graphic and video images with the ability to process them, etc.
The term "computer"
Strictly speaking, the term “computer” is very broad, since the principle of its operation can be based on the use of a wide variety of working environments and components. A computer can be electronic, mechanical, quantum, optical, etc., working due to the movement of photons, quanta, mechanical parts, etc. In addition, functionally, computers are divided into two types - electronic and analog (mechanical).
By the way, the word computer was first introduced in 1887 into the Oxford English Dictionary. The compilers of this textbook understood the word “computer” as a mechanical device for computing. Only much later, in 1946, was the dictionary supplemented with terms that clearly describe mechanical, analog and digital computers.
Today, the concept of a computer has narrowed significantly, since many devices are outdated and are no longer used in work, thereby reducing the existing range of these devices.
Computer performance
The speed of a computer directly depends on its computing power, that is, the speed at which certain operations are performed per unit of time. This quantity is called “ flops».
In practice, the speed strongly depends on many additional conditions: the type of task that is performed on the computer, frequent data exchange between system components, etc. Therefore, the peak computing speed is taken as this parameter - a certain hypothetical number that characterizes the maximum possible execution speed operations.
For example, supercomputers are devices capable of performing calculations at speeds of more than 10 teraflops (that's ten trillion flops). For comparison, the average household personal computer operates at approximately 0.1 teraflops.
In order to evaluate the practical performance of computer devices, special tests have been developed (in computer slang they are often called “ benchmarks") which are based on special mathematical calculations. The performance of personal computers is usually assessed from the point of view of all its components to obtain a final, average assessment of its performance.
Types of modern computers
As noted above, depending on their design, technical parameters, and application, all computers can be divided into several types:
Electronic computers (computers)
In fact, this device is a collection of a whole complex of means, where all its constituent elements are made using electronic elements. The main purpose of such a device is to perform various calculations and solve computational or information problems.
Today, the term is used to refer to a specific hardware implementation of a device and as a legal term in legal documents. In addition, this concept is used both to designate computer equipment produced in 1950–1990, and to modern large electronic computing devices, in order to distinguish them from personal computers.
Personal Computer
An inexpensive, universal, fairly compact device designed for a single user to use at home or in the office and perform various individual tasks - computing, typing, watching videos, listening to music, etc. It is thanks to this versatility and affordability that personal computers have become so widespread.
The company's computers are most famous Apple and the so-called IBM compatible devices, which currently occupy the lion's share of the entire PC market. IBM's wide popularity was ensured by its lower price with almost equal capabilities.
Until recently, these devices did not have any compatibility with each other - neither hardware nor software. Today, there is special software (“emulators”) that makes it possible to run Apple programs (with restrictions) on IBM-compatible computers and vice versa.
All personal computers, in turn, can be divided into several types:
Desktop PCs.
Term Personal Computer (abbreviation - PC) was introduced by Apple in the late 70s and in 1981 by IBM, which released the IBM PC (Wikipedia). At first there were several models of personal computers. They all had their own operating systems and, as a rule, unique equipment.
Company IBM has been developing and producing computers for decades. In particular, the IBM 360 and then the IBM 370, which were considered the best computers in the 60-80s. On their basis, a series of EC-type computers were produced in our country (EC 1020, EC 1033, EC 1045 and others). In the mid-70s, small computers began to appear that could be called personal, but they all had their own technical and mathematical support, which was not transferred to other companies. Each computer had its own central processor, which had its own structure and commands, different from others. When moving from one machine to another, it was necessary to relearn. IBM also decided to participate in the development of small computers. Since she did not consider this direction to be promising, it was decided not to develop, but to purchase technical and mathematical support. Thus, an agreement was concluded with Intel for the supply of the 8080 processor. Now it was necessary to purchase an operating system. The young company Microsoft received the purchase order. She purchased one of the versions of the CP / M system, which she later modified.
This operating system is known as Ms DOS or Microsoft DOS, for the development of which it regularly received payments from IBM. In the early 90s, the first Windows system appeared - Windows 3.1, in 1995 - Windows 95, in 1998 - Windows 98, then began to appear different Windows systems - Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7.
Of all the companies that produced computers, two lines have survived to this day - IBM personal computers and Apple computers, which have different principles for constructing processors and operating systems. On this site we will only consider IBM computers. True, this name has ceased to be relevant and computers are simply called “personal computers” or even “computers”.
The term “personal computer” itself implies its use by a single user, but modern computers have the ability to be used by several people. According to the degree of mobility, computers are divided into two groups:
Stationary (desktop computer);
Mobile (laptop; tablet; pocket computer).
Desktop computers initially had a block architecture and consisted of a system unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other peripheral devices. There are two forms of system units - horizontal (“desktop”, fromdesktop- working surface of a desk), when the monitor could be installed on the upper surface of the system unit and vertical (tower system unit, Tower), when the unit was located on the floor or in a special niche of the table.
In fact, computers do not always use the Windows operating system, but also other operating systems, such as Linux. This operating system has proven itself well and requires a special description. This site will cover the Windows system.
Existing personal computers can be divided into four types.
Desktop computers were previously the most common. They consist of a system unit and a display connected to each other by wires (see figure above). Next we will look at this type in more detail.
Laptops. A laptop differs from a desktop computer in that all the main devices (system unit, display, speakers, etc.) are located in one case. In addition, it has an additional device - a battery. As a result, the laptop can be used anywhere, including where there is no electricity (on the road, in the country). In order for the computer to work longer, devices are usually installed with less power consuming devices than in stationary ones. Since the laptop may not be in a stable place, for example, on a table, but on your lap, usually the devices inside the computer are more protected from minor shocks. The laptop comes with a touchpad device with buttons that can be used instead of a mouse. The remaining devices and connectors are identical to stationary computer ones.
Netbooks(English Netbook) is a compact laptop with relatively low performance, intended mainly for accessing the Internet and working with office applications (Wikipedia). It has a small screen diagonal of 7-12 inches, low power consumption, and relatively low cost. Cheapness is achieved through the use of less capacious devices, for example, the hard drive for laptops now (August 2011) is 250, 320 or more, and for netbooks - 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 gigabytes. They have less RAM, a cheaper processor and do not have a DVD-ROM drive. All other devices and connectors are the same as for laptops.
Monoblock– a computer whose system unit is located behind the display. It has the same devices and connectors as a laptop, except for the power cable.
In laptops, netbooks and all-in-one devices, you can usually change the hard drive and RAM module, and in some models the battery. Other devices, such as a central processor, keyboard, motherboard, etc., cannot be replaced, that is, they can only be replaced at service centers.
Most computers in the world are personal. What a PC is will be covered in this article. We will not be talking about PC, which is a fire hydrant, or about abbreviations of other words; We will not talk about such a gaming term in online games as Player Keller, which is actually also a PC, but rather about the term personal computer and its abbreviation PC.
What is a PC?
A personal computer or PC is, first of all, a computer that allows the user to use it during one work session.
In English-language sources, PC sounds like Personal Computer and is abbreviated PC. In our country you can also find another name for PC - this is an abbreviation for Personal Electronic Computer. In general, a PC, as is clear from the terminology, is a computing machine used to work, access and use the capabilities of networks; this is a platform for games and multimedia capabilities, you can find out more about this in the articles: what is a computer used for and what is a computer.
Background to the appearance of the PC
A personal computer is generally referred to as a familiar computer with a system unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse, but this is not entirely true. Many people don’t even imagine what a personal computer can actually be, because they don’t know what types of computers there are and how great their variety is.
What led to the personalization of the computer? At the beginning of their development, computers were very rare, and their main buyers were organizations, but over time, they began to appear in open sales, which made them more accessible to ordinary buyers, with the possibility of using them for personal purposes, which established the name of such computers - personal computers. Previously, the term PC (personal computer), like a hard drive, was considered jargon.
The term personal computer itself was used for the first time in 1964 by the Italian company Olivetti. In 1975, the mass production of the Altair 8800 computer served as the beginning of the personal computer production line, but personal computers similar to modern ones appeared only in the 80s of the 20th century. In those years, a PC was any computer that had the IBM PC architecture, which meant the compatibility of the components of some computers with others.
The mass production of PCs similar to modern computers began in 1995, which was facilitated by the release of such an operating system as Windows 95. If skills were required to use computers running it, it was much less than before its release. In the USSR, the term PC was widely used; in fact, these were still the same computers, and the personal use of such computers was their purpose by definition.
Modern personal computer
A modern personal computer can be used by several people at the same time. The whole family can use the PC, not only in order of priority, but also at the same time: watching a movie and listening to music together, playing games at the same time. Although with the development of computers their capabilities are expanding, such a computer will still be considered personal, regardless of what computing capabilities it has, provided it is used for personal purposes.
If not so long ago PCs were considered IBM compatible devices (the same type of computer), then today the understanding of a personal computer has expanded. Any computer used by a person at his whim can be considered personal, and constructability today is far from the most important criterion for a personal computer.
Concluding the answer to the question, what is a PC or personal computer, we can conclude that almost any computer can become personal, depending on the need and possibilities of its use, but still most users use mainly stationary or portable versions as a PC computer versions.
ProComputer.su
What is a personal computer? or just PC
A personal computer or simply PC is a computer intended for use by one user, that is, for personal use. Any other computer used by a specific person as his personal computer can also be considered a PC.
The term was coined in the 1970s by Apple for its Apple II computer. For some time, a personal computer was called any machine using Intel processors, but with the advent of other processors, the name began to have a broader interpretation.
Most often, PCs are understood as desktop PCs, laptops, netbooks, pocket PCs and tablet PCs. A PC can be considered any computer used as a personal computer, that is, a personal computer.
Types of personal computers:
Desktop PCs
1. Desktop - a stationary computer, it is more convenient to place it on a table. 2. Tower - tall and therefore usually located under the table. 3. Monoblock - a PC in which the system unit, monitor, etc. are structurally combined into one device.
Mobile PCs
1. Laptops - Compact, portable computers containing all the necessary components in one small case. 2. Netbooks - compact laptops designed primarily for accessing the Internet and working with office applications. 3. Tablets - Similar to laptops, but contain a touch screen and do not contain a mechanical keyboard. 4 PDA - Ultra-portable PCs that fit in your pocket.
Custom PCs
Barebones are computers built by the user to perform specific tasks. Protected - resistant to aggressive environments. Quiet - producing minimal noise or operating completely silently. Server - used as a personal server.
The terms “computer”, “personal computer”, “home computer” are gradually losing their original meaning and are merging into one shorter and more familiar term “computer”.
linuxguru.ru
What is a personal computer?
Any child knows what a personal computer is and why it is needed. But older people and even some representatives of the middle generation treat this device with caution, sometimes vaguely understanding the capabilities of a computer. Meanwhile, everything is very simple and you can learn to use this gift of civilization quickly and easily.
Any modern personal computer is a set of devices: a system unit, a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are input and output devices, in other words, with the help of these devices we “communicate” with the computer. Thus, the computer itself, that is, the device that performs calculations, stores information, and this is the system unit.
The system unit, sometimes incorrectly called a processor, is a box with a metal case in which the components are located, that is, all the microcircuits, boards, and hard drives. Actually, the processor is one of the important, but not the only part of the computer. Another important part necessary for the operation of a computer is software. The program that powers the PC is called the operating system.
All these components of the computer are connected to each other using special cables connected using special connectors-ports. These connectors, as well as the cables, are made in such a way that it is impossible to “get the wires mixed up.” So, only a monitor cable can be connected to the monitor port, and only a printer can be connected to the printer port.
There are many additional devices connected to the computer through ports and cables. These are printers, scanners, speakers, video cameras, external storage devices. All these devices open up additional possibilities for us to use a personal computer.
Today, there are many types of personal computers, such as laptops, all-in-one computers, netbooks, tablet PCs, etc., and even a modern cell phone (smartphone) is a miniature personal computer. Even children's computers for kindergarten age have appeared on sale.
Why is a computer called a personal computer? It turns out that everything is very simple: a personal computer is any personal computer used by ordinary people, and, as Wikipedia says, intended for users who do not have special knowledge in the field of programming and computer technology. In addition, only one person (one person) can use one computer at a time.
Why do you need a personal computer? Most people use a computer like a typewriter to type, edit, and store text. The PC is also used for games, storing movies, photos, and clips. With the development of the Internet and almost everyone getting the opportunity to connect to it, it became possible to search for the necessary information, communicate and make acquaintances, etc.
The computer with the development of the Internet gave impetus to the development of such a form of employment as “remote work”. When an employee of any organization performs all the work (of course not related to physical labor) without leaving home, but by receiving tasks and sending the completed work to the employer via the Internet. By the way, such an employee usually also does the work on a computer.
Thus, a personal computer and all its varieties open up wide opportunities for users for study, work, communication, dating, hobbies and much more. On the other hand, the ability to use a PC and knowledge of at least basic computer programs increases a person’s chances of success. Therefore, everyone should master the basics of using a computer.
compone.ru
What is a personal computer (PC), basic functions
So, a personal computer (PC) or PC (English Personal Computer) is a computer that can be used (or owned) by one person (from the word “personal”, that is, for one person).
Moreover, using it means such ordinary functions as “walking” on the Internet, watching videos, playing games, working, studying, etc. That is, everything that we usually do on a PC in our free time, everything that is available to most users.
Typically, desktop or mobile (laptop, tablet) computers are used as a PC.
A little history of the personal computer
At the beginning of their journey, the first computers (1964) were created exclusively as computing machines. That is, various computational operations were carried out on them, due to their large volume and quantity.
The first buyers of such computer equipment were exclusively firms and organizations; for ordinary people it was of no value. PCs began to acquire modern features 20 years later, when the mass-produced IBM PC architecture appeared in the 1980s.
Now the PC has become the most widespread type of computing device, and this happened not so long ago, in 1995. This year was marked by the release of the operating system (OS) Windows 95, which had gone a long way to adapt to the average person and now represented great opportunities for home use.
That is, starting with this version, PC and Windows OS began their victorious march around the world, facilitated by maximum simplicity and convenience.
What about your PC developments?
It is worth noting that in the USSR, work was also actively carried out on the creation of various computer equipment, including personal computers.
But since at that time the crisis of the Soviet system was in full swing, and subsequently the collapse of the USSR in general (which led to a decline in the economy, the curtailment of many industries, and the relocation of many development engineers to other countries), the creation of a domestic PC remained at the original level.
Although some developments are currently underway in the post-Soviet space (Russia - Elbrus processor, Belarus, Ukraine, etc.), they are proceeding extremely slowly, mainly for the military industry or government organizations.
Modern personal computer (PC)
This is an extremely convenient and useful device. Now, with the help of a home (or work) PC, we can carry out a lot of useful and simply entertaining activities. Today, every PC owner can freely:
- Use the Internet (news, social networks, searching for various information in search engines)
- Watch countless movies, videos
- Read e-books, magazines, scientific, educational literature, etc.
- Play games from small to large-scale, made with amazing realism (these are various military operations, auto and air simulators, fantasy, adventure, which are often an interactive film)
- Self-education, now on the Internet you can find a huge number of different educational materials (audio or video lessons) in any discipline, study them and thereby obtain a specialty without leaving home
- Plus, the presence of a large number of different programs on the PC also expands the possibilities of its use to almost endless
As a result of what has been said, we note that over its 50 years of existence, the personal computer has gone through a simply phenomenal path in the development of its functions and capabilities. In this short period of time (on the scale of history), we have received opportunities that collectively cover entire millennia of the existence of our civilization.
Also thanks to this entire process of technology development, you can read articles on the website Rempc.by
- October 13, 2015
rempc.by
What is PC?
If I ask you what a PC is, you will probably answer that it is a Personal Computer and you will be right. Most people think that a PC is nothing more than a small computer system used by one person. Unfortunately, this definition is not entirely accurate. We can agree that a PC is a personal computer, but not all personal computers can be classified as a PC. Take, for example, the Apple Macintosh system, of course, it is a personal computer, but have you ever heard of it being called a PC, it is usually called a Mac. Take a look at this option. Fake Christmas tree. Buy for New Year. To understand the correct definition of PC, you need to dig a little deeper.
By PC we mean something more unique than the primitive combination of the words “personal computer”. Naturally, this “something” is somehow connected with the first IBM computer, which appeared in 1981. It turns out that it was IBM that invented the PC.
IBM Company
However, we must understand the fact that IBM is not the inventor of the PC as such, since the first personal computer appeared in 1975, the MITS company introduced the new Altair. Based on this, it is more correct to define a PC as any personal computer compatible with IBM systems. And for many years now, the term PC has been used to refer to IBM compatible computers.
First Altair PC
In fact, despite the fact that IBM developers created the first PC in 1981 and worked on improving this standard, it currently does not control this standard. She lost control in 1987 when she introduced the PS/2 computer model. And soon IBM began to abandon many of the standards that it had originally developed.
For this reason, the term "IBM compatible" is no longer entirely suitable for defining a personal computer.
To understand this, you will have to find out who sets the standards in the industry:
- software
- hardware
PC software. Who sets the standards?
Who do you think sets the standards for PCs and whose operating system is the most popular in our country? I am sure that you will accurately say: “Microsoft!” And I completely agree with you.
The largest software development company
Undoubtedly, today Microsoft continues to control the development of operating systems used on PCs. It so happened that initially Microsoft products were installed and used on most personal computers: MS-DOS and Windows 3.1/95/98/NT/2000, and now Windows XP/Vista/7 and the new Windows 8. By controlling the development of operating systems, Microsoft , could control the development of other types of PC software, such as utilities, an email client, etc. Therefore, many programs, such as graphics, mail, notebooks, defragmentation and compression utilities, which were offered by independent companies, were included in Windows . It became almost impossible to compete with such capabilities on board the operating system, and this mainly contributed to the popularity of Microsoft. In addition, Microsoft even integrated the Internet Explorer browser, text editor, notepad, and Windows Media Player into the operating system, which caused panic among competitors creating similar programs. Microsoft didn't stop there. By developing networking software and integrating it into Windows, it gained greater control over operating systems than other companies.
It is for these reasons that Microsoft now dominates the personal computer software market, offering a wide range of programs ranging from the Office word processor to server operating systems.
IBM once hired Microsoft to develop software for its first computer. IBM itself was developing the hardware. However, what happened later resulted in IBM losing control of the PC standard, and paying dearly for it. IBM failed to secure exclusive rights to the DOS operating system developed by Microsoft, giving the latter the right to sell MS-DOS code developed for IBM to other companies.
As a result, some companies licensed the operating system code and essentially duplicated its architecture. All this led to the end user buying the same MS-DOS, only under a different name or in a different package.
It was this mistake that IBM made when drawing up the contract that turned Microsoft into a huge, dominant corporation in the software market, and led IBM to lose control of the PC standard that it itself created.
The main reason why IBM lost control of its own standard is that the hardware that IBM was developing could only be protected by copyright in accordance with patents, and this was difficult for IBM due to the fact that in its developments relied on already developed elements from Intel. To obtain a patent, the developed equipment must be unique. By and large, any radio amateur could purchase such elements and develop the hardware. IBM was the first, but it could not obtain copyright, and this led to the fact that the design of the first computer (its hardware) could be duplicated by any company. All that was needed was to buy the same chips as IBM, from the same suppliers, and design a new motherboard with a similar circuitry.
But there were companies (Phoenix Technologies) that, taking good engineers into their team, developed a similar BIOS. In terms of functionality, this BIOS was practically no different from the IBM BIOS, since, in fact, it copied it, but in terms of the program code, it was a unique development.
Phoenix Technologies
The BIOS system is a set of control software components that directly control the computer's hardware devices. These components are called device drivers, so the BIOS is a set of basic device drivers needed to manage and control system hardware. The operating system (DOS or Windows) uses BIOS drivers to interact with hardware and peripheral devices.
Once the IBM I/O system had been duplicated, the last task was to clone the DOS operating system to produce a working system compatible with the IBM system.
However, designing DOS from scratch was a daunting task, unlike BIOS, whose dimensions were much smaller. In addition, the operating system was constantly improved and modified.
To get DOS for an IBM compatible computer, there was only one way - to obtain the rights to use it. This is where Microsoft came into the picture. And as I said earlier, IBM made a big mistake when it entered into an agreement with Microsoft; it did not require it to sign an exclusive license agreement under which Microsoft could grant the right to use their software only to IBM.
Microsoft took advantage of this and began selling DOS to any user. Thanks to the license to copy MS-DOS, IBM finally lost control of the personal computer, because it could now be produced by other companies, regardless of IBM's wishes.
Apple Company
Why do you think there are no analogs to Apple's Macintosh system, despite the fact that Mac hardware can be easily duplicated?
The real problem is that Apple owns the MAC OS and does not allow any other company to sell Apple compatible systems. Moreover, in a MAC system, the BIOS is very complex and large and part of it is integrated into the operating system. Therefore, it is almost impossible to duplicate it, as was the case with the IBM BIOS.
Notice! In 1996-1997, Apple licensed the BIOS and operating system
Now that Apple is using the PC architecture, the only difference between a Mac and a PC is the operating system. Now the computer running OS X automatically becomes a Mac, and the computer running Windows automatically becomes a PC.
Although OS X includes code that checks for the presence of a special chip on the motherboard, preventing it from running on other computers, the OSx86 Project (www.osxproject.org) provides information on how to bypass these restrictions to run OS X on standard computers.
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