What is desktop personal computer?

Answer 1

In the early days (1980s) these types of machine were called micro-computers, for example, schools often had a BBC micro-computer. But now we tend to call them 'desktop personal computers' or just 'PC'.

The desktop PC has a central processing unit housed in a metal or plastic case (often called a tower unit). A keyboard and mouse are usually used to input data and a monitor to output the data.

Until recently, most PCs all looked the same, a very boring beige or grey box. Now manufacturers are coming up with some really interesting designs such as the 'alien' design on the right.

Modern PCs are quite powerful. They can carry out millions of calculations per second.

They are useful for lots of different types of tasks:

• Running office applications such as word processors, spreadsheets and databases
• For CAD design such as designing kitchens
• Editing videos
• Creating and playing music
• Accessing the internet for research, work and entertainm

In the early days (1980s) these types of machine were called micro-computers, for example, schools often had a BBC micro-computer. But now we tend to call them 'desktop personal computers' or just 'PC'.

The desktop PC has a central processing unit housed in a metal or plastic case (often called a tower unit). A keyboard and mouse are usually used to input data and a monitor to output the data.

Until recently, most PCs all looked the same, a very boring beige or grey box. Now manufacturers are coming up with some really interesting designs such as the 'alien' design on the right.

Modern PCs are quite powerful. They can carry out millions of calculations per second.

They are useful for lots of different types of tasks:

• Running office applications such as word processors, spreadsheets and databases
• For CAD design such as designing kitchens
• Editing videos
• Creating and playing music
• Accessing the Internet for research, work and entertainm

Answer 2

Personal computers are used to ask questions and receive answers on wiki.answers.com. I believe that there are a few other web-sites, too. And e-mail. And computer games. Etc.

Answer 3

Someone may have simply coined the term "personal computer" from PC, but what PC actually stands for is Program Counter, which keeps track of where a program is in its path of execution.

Actually, it is called a personal computer since it can be used at home, and each employee can have their own at work. Before that, there were only mainframes and other large computers which only large companies could afford, and employees only had terminals which were tied to the mainframe. Nothing was standalone. But as parts got smaller, individual computers on each desk became practical, and they became affordable for private individuals.

Answer 4

A computer built around a microprocessor for use by an individual, as in an office or at home or school.