The term personnel computer [] (abbreviation PC), originating from the English, translated "„personal computer "“, is the trade name of a set of computer systems, which by the company IBM were originally manufactured. This concerns determined types of home or personal computers, which is to an individual person at the disposal and can on their needs be adapted.

Originally only IBM computers with of Intel were called processor 8088 "„PC "“. Today the term firmiert for the demarcation of the x86-Architektur (IBM-PC compatible computers) in relation to other network architectures, however due to the high spreading synonymously for all commercial computers is used, whereby a term monopoly developed. The term "„PC "“was thus a trade mark.

Success history

First kits

Since beginning of the 1970er years were so low-priced computer construction units that enterprises began with the development of computers for private purposes. The first in such a manner computer, which had commercial success, aligned for home users, was the old air 8800 from the year 1974. A whole number of further models, whose most prominent representatives were the devices Apple ii-family as well as the PET of the company Commodore, followed still as kit sold the old air.

Home computer vs. IBM PC

Extended by a television exit and an expenditure for clay/tone many further devices than home computers so mentioned came on the market starting from the 80's. Examples of it are later the usually-sold home computer Commodore C64 and the devices of the Amiga row, and different versions of the Atari pc.

Particularly the success and the innovative architecture Apple of the II alarmed IBM, the market leader at that time with (large) computers and electrical typewriters. 1981 presented, modular developed IBM-PC was as direct competition product in addition conceived. In order development time and - to save, deviated IBM cost from its practice at that time to manufacture a majority of the components themselves. Instead most construction units were bought to go with, among other things the operating system (MS-DOS of Microsoft, of IBM sold as PC DOS) and the processor (Intel 8088).

The IBM-PC was initially in regard to audio abilities and diagram technically far underlaid for the home computers and rightfully high prices was originally sold. However IBM did not have a monopoly on the used components (with exception of the BIOS). So Compaq could bring 1983 the first IBM-compatible PC on the market. Clones, thus copying, different hardware components developed in the Far East to a proper people sport. Thus developed fast a market of IBM reproductions, which led by the competition to sinking prices and intensified innovation. Within one decade the PC displaced the home computers also within the private sector, only Apple created it to hold further a portion worth mentioning. All other manufacturers disappeared to a large extent from the market (Commodore) or turned again to different business fields too (Atari, cutter). The more current PC models of IBM, like the PC 300GL remained as far as possible unknown, and went down on the market of the clones. Similarly it was issued the attempt of IBM, the market with that personnel System/2-Reihe and the operating system OS/2

In the private sector home computers and PC were used first for experimenting, learning and playing. Later they were used data bases (Dbase) and spread-sheet analysis (VisiCalc) for text processing (WordPerfect), so that they found also entrance into the operational everyday life.

Modern PC

Today PC (- reproductions) is very efficiently and almost universally operational. Usually IBM-compatible PCs are used on x86 basis. Of the other earlier network architectures for single place computers in the year 2004 only the Apple Macintosh remained remaining and than niche product Amiga/Pegasos. These are performance-related comparable using modern operating systems such as Mac OS X, LinuxPPC or MorphOS with the numerous IBM-compatible PC clones. Still systems on RISC OS basis (arm CCU) are isolated.

See also

• HP-9100A, IBM-PC, computer

Literature

• Andreas's quiet: Merry Oldies. The PC celebrates its 20sten birthday. In: c't. 18/16/2001. Heise magazines publishing house, P. 172-177,
• Scott Mueller: PC hardware superBible, M. DVD-ROM. Market and technology, April 2005, ISBN 3827267943
• Hans Messmer, Klaus Dembowski: PC hardware book. Structure, function mode, programming. Addison-Wesley, 15 June 2003, ISBN 3827320143

Related links

• The history personnel of the computer lecture in the context of the pro min acre "“history of computer science"”
• The history PC part of 1 - of the invention of the microprocessor up to the entrance by IBM into the market (1971-1981)
• The history PC part of 2 - the end that variety and the victory of Wintel (1982 1982)
• The history PC part of 3 - the development of the peripheral devices from 1975 to today
• Lecture in the context of the pro min acre "“history of computer science"”

Articles in category "Personal computers"

We found here 4 articles.

Related Websites

We found here 4 related websites.

• Howstuffworks "How PCs Work"
  Curious to know what's going on inside that ever-present PC Here's your chance to find out -- without prying open your own. Examine a personal computer ...


• Personal computer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  In today's common usage, personal computer and PC usually indicate an IBM PC ... Mostly, the term PC is used to describe personal computers that use ...


• Personal computer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  In today's common usage, personal computer and PC usually indicate an IBM PC ... Mostly, the term PC is used to describe personal computers that use ...


• What is personal computer - A Word Definition From the Webopedia ...
  This page describes the term personal computer and lists other pages on the Web where you can find additional information.