Without a doubt we can say that the personal computer has transformed our lives and is still shaping our future. Show As we have seen in the first chapter, the history of PCs started decades ago, as computers became more compact, less expensive, and more efficient. Although the idea that everyone would have their own computer seemed unlikely, personal computers emerged from the minds and passions of electronics hobbyists and entrepreneurs who realised the opportunity to bring computing capabilities to a much broader market. To avoid confusion when searching for your next computer, it is important to note that while the term PC refers in general to all personal computers, Apple-branded personal computers are commonly referred to as Macs or Macbooks and their unique operating system distinguishes them from other PCs. Note The first cheap, easy-to-use, mass-market computer was released by IBM in 1981 and called Personal Computer – which is where the term PC comes from. Because of the IBM PC’s open architecture, it was easy for other companies to replicate it, leading to the PC considerably influencing the personal computer market. Its specifications became one of the most popular computer design standards in the world. Among the first uses that made personal computers so attractive for the mass population was gaming. Although limited in graphics capabilities, these games made ordinary individuals realise that they could operate a computer. Soon, personal computers also demonstrated other capabilities and made everyday tasks quicker and simpler, in particular for small-business owners. The popularity of PCs has brought with it many connected businesses. Other products like scanners, printers, cameras and modems have created new industries to supply the demand of PC users. The confluence of networking, computing and storage capacities in the 1990s and 2000s – coupled with the open-source culture for software development – led to the development of technologies that were increasingly focused on catering to the needs of the individual user, enabling new functions that allowed technology to enter every area of our lives. The way we use PCs has evolved in parallel with these technologies and soon individual users turned to the PC as the preferred device to carry out an ever-increasing number of activities: communicating, working and studying, making online purchases, managing our money, and entertainment. In recent years we have entered a new era of personal computers where PCs have been integrated with other devices to facilitate our daily lives, making their way into most of our experiences. Types of personal computersLet’s look at the types of personal computers we use today: Desktop and laptop computersAmong the most popular personal computers are desktops and laptops. The main and most obvious difference between the two concerns portability. As the name suggests, desktop computers are meant to be set-up and used in a permanent location – usually a desk or table. Not long ago, desktops had better capabilities than their portable alternatives, but laptops have quickly improved to achieve similar or even higher performance. Today we use these computers both at home and at work, for a large variety of tasks such as web browsing, text, image and sound editing, gaming and so on. Note When thinking of buying a new computer, here are some features to consider in advance:
TabletsA tablet is an ultra-portable computer typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display, processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery, all in a single, thin and flat casing. Tablets are smaller and more compact than laptops, and while they can carry out the majority of functions other personal computers do, their internal components are less powerful than those in regular laptops. Note Tips for easily handling any tablet Every gadget has its own specific set of user instructions, but there are some very basic gestures you can use to easily navigate on your tablet without having to connect a keyboard or mouse. Here are some of the most commonly used gestures:
SmartphonesSmartphones are mobile devices that combine the functionalities of phones with those of mobile computers. With strong hardware capabilities and dedicated mobile operating systems which support multimedia functionalities (including music, cameras and gaming), as well as internet access alongside core phone functions, smartphones have become the most popular mobile devices. Additionally, they include various sensors such as a magnetometer, proximity sensors, barometer, gyroscope, or accelerometer, that allow us to use the smartphone well beyond its traditional functions, like measuring health parameters or determine orientation in space. We will discuss more about the remarkable functions of smartphones in the next section. WearablesAs the name suggests, wearable computers are electronic devices that are integrated in objects that we wear close to or on the surface of the skin, such as watches, sport equipment, glasses or even clothes. These devices are used for health and fitness, navigation, social networking and gaming. Undoubtedly, wearables represent a new horizon in personal computing. Example Wearables for health and fitness Wearables are most associated with the health and wellness sectors. Smart watches, like Fitbit or Apple Watch, have reshaped the way we look after and monitor our health, from heart rate monitoring to tracking our daily steps. These devices inherently encourage healthier lifestyles because of the data they collect. They are usually paired with a mobile app where you can clearly see the information gathered by the device, with different methods used to support users in reaching their fitness goals, from brightly coloured graphs and progress bars to notifications, challenges and the motivation of being connected with other users. Knowing how far you run encourages you to push yourself further to beat your old record. Seeing that you’re almost at your daily 10,000 step goal encourages you to go for a walk outside. Even tracking your sleep could help you understand how your habits influence your sleep quality. Wearable technology is intended to make your health and wellness journey more enjoyable. Looking at the multitude of personal computers and how we use them today it's clear that personal computing has moved beyond hardware to fit into every aspect of our lives, from relationships and work to entertainment, hobbies and even our homes. As we allow more technology into our lives to make it easier, we are also spending more and more time interacting with it to the detriment of real-life interaction – the average office worker sends and receives tens of electronic messages a day, but spends less and less time talking to colleagues face-to-face and relaxing with friends and family. Tech-life balanceWe often talk about work-life balance, but maybe we should be talking about tech-life balance too. No doubt technology largely improves our lives, but if we don’t find the best way to control our tech-life balance it can take a heavy toll on our work, relationships, health, and overall well-being. Here are some simple tips to help you balance technology use:
Today, the definition of a personal computer has changed because of varied uses, forms, new systems, and the possibility to connect them to larger networks. They have become the main tools we use for entertainment, as well as information, being much more affordable, and anyone can learn to use them. An increasing number of people do business at home on their own personal computers, or one provided by the company, and only need to travel to a place of employment a few days a week. Even more, having just a personal computer with internet connection it is possible to start, manage and grow a business. Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Alibaba all are websites created by the use of computers and the internet. What type of computer is designed as a single user system for an individual user?Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor.
What are personal computers called?An antiquated term, a microcomputer is now primarily called a personal computer (PC), or a device based on a single-chip microprocessor. Common microcomputers include laptops and desktops. Beyond standard PCs, microcomputers also include some calculators, mobile phones, notebooks, workstations and embedded systems.
What do you call a type of computer that is designed to be placed on a table?A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or near a desk due to its size and power requirements.
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