What is a PC?

Coke Robot

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Well, what is in name? The PC, Personal Computer. The term is used so much, especially as of late, to describe a dying technology. It's been used by apple to be a target of their ipad. But what is it?

Is it a desktop machine? It is a laptop? It is it a desktop running Windows? It is Windows itself? Is it desktop running Linux or ubuntu? Is it an ipad? Is it a tablet? Is it iOS or android?

What is a PC to you guys?

To me, I think a PC is either a laptop, tablet, or a desktop running the Windows operating system. Why? Personal Computer means it's a computer that you can personalize. It can have an AMD, ARM, or Intel processor with either an NVIDIA or AMD or ATI graphics card with whatever RAM you want. It can use a mouse or keyboard or a touchscreen or even a Kinect sensor. And on top of that, it runs a Windows operating system to use whatever hardware you want.

I ask this because every time I read something saying, "The PC is dead" or "Apple declares war on the PC", I find it puzzling because my definition of a PC isn't what many other people think.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
well a Personal Computer to me is a "stand-alone" machine to use by one person at a time.

It usually contains your data (whatever data) while somebody elses PC contains different software/hardware and data.

A company computer has a computer room, mostly closed to not authorized personnel, one uses or a dummy screen connected to that machine where everything is kept on or also via a PC, so connected to the mainframe or that can work stand-alone. Work done on the PC prevents (=big companies) overload of the hardware as processors, memory, data throughput.

Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    INTEL CORE I--3770K LGA1155
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V
    Memory
    KINGSTON 2400 MHZ KHX24C11K4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD GRAFICS 4000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philip BDL3245€ 32 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SAMSUNG 840 PRO RAID 0 ON BOARD 2 x 128 GB
    Keyboard
    LOGITEC MX™ 5500
    Mouse
    LOGITEC MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    120 Mbps
The term PC is now slightly narrowed. In the past all that stand-alone computer machine labeled as it is. But now, my brain just got the picture of a desktop one if say or hear those two-letter word. Laptops and tablets are having their own picture in my head.

I don't know if this thought is inappropriate. But, that is what I got in mind about PC. (now)

Mas Catoer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
I'm with Mas Catoer, PC to me conger's up an image of a desktop computer. If I'm talking about a laptop or tablet I call them that and usually don't refer to them as PC's. Now if someone asked me to look at their "computer" I'd be inclined to ask is it a laptop or a desktop. Showing my age yet. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I'm with Mas Catoer, PC to me conger's up an image of a desktop computer.

Ditto.

Just as computers have evolved, so too has the definition of what constitutes a 'Personal Computer'.

Traditionally a 'Personal Computer' was defined as Desktop Machine like your IBMS, Atari, Sinclair, Radio Shack, Casio, Commodore, Epson, Apple, Intel etc. Basically proprietary machines that didn't share common, unified components.

As time went buy and companies failed/merged/standards become more unified and proprietary machines became less common leaving companies like Apple for example, part of a growing minority.

Fast forward to the intel/AMD dominance era (coupled with growing MS DOS and Windows market) and further unified standards that allowed people to have an ever increasing choice of parts as to how their PC's are put together. Apple's proprietary system becoming even further of a minority. With this minority came an ever decreasing presence and viability in the Personal Computer market place. They were going bust.

Despite Apple now primarily using the same components as the 'PC' counterparts, in an effort to remain 'different' - PR spin came to fruition. Saving the company were non PC devices like the iPod which saved Apples arse. Their PC division sales were still hurting.

Time for some more PR.

They focused on aesthetics and their own modified Unix based OS, all delivered with more 'savvy' spin. (Ignoring the fact that at it's core, Apple Macs are still Personal Computers).

The "I'm a Mac and I'm a PC campaign" further differentiated to the public that despite being the same, Macs were OSX (not Personal computers) and PC's were all 'uncool' Windows Personal Computers.

A growing subset of personal computers were Laptops. Laptops, once limited can now do pretty much everything thing a desktop can do and why waste all that space when a smaller device will do.

Then came the 'iPad tablet revolution' touting the 'future' of how computing is to be done. Keen to entrench their position as leaders in a niche created market, Apple now declares war on PC's and the with the advent of handheld devices that can ostensibly replace those pesky and bulky archaic desktops and laptops, now tout the death of PC's as well.

Essentially it's a lot of market spin based on truisms. Having a big desktop machine is becoming redundant for a lot of tasks. Why use a desktop when a laptop will do the same job? Why use a laptop when a tablet will do? Why use a tablet when a phone will do?

As more capabilities are being squeezed into ever increasingly smaller devices, the role of the "Personal Computer" is dying to a large degree. Companies like Apple are simply using marketing slogans to stay viable and potentially alter the market to it's favor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vanilla 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    SmartEyeball Custom Systems
    CPU
    Intel 3770K @4.8ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 WS
    Memory
    16GB G.Skill Trident 2666mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    3x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    SB X-FI Surround 5.1 PRO USB + ATH-AD900 Headphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x3 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    5760*1200/1920*1200 / 1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine MX Black // Filco Ninja TKL
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs: Clevo Sager P170HM // 17.3 Matte 1920x1200 // i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz // Dedicated GTX 485M // 240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray // Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0 // NexStar USB 3.0 enclosure 500GB
If I'm not mistaken, in the very past time I often heard the McIntosh machines were named as Power PC. Was it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
Yes.
But in these days it's more chepaer to get a Windows or a linux machine, than just a mac. When Mac and another computer started to look so different (of course there are the same parts inside) but the os and lookout. People satrted to just Call Macs as Macs and the rest are named as pc's (from computers, of course there are tablets and mobile phones too)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Home Premium / Commodore OS Vision / Windows 8 Release preview
    CPU
    AMD Athlon x2 Dual Core 7750 BE 2,7Ghz (2/4)
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-e
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE (ATI) Radeon HD 6870 (1Gb)
    Sound Card
    Do i have one?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    1x HD1080 1x SXGA
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 500 Gb
    1x Samsung 30 Gb
    1x LaCie 1Tb Hard drive.
    PSU
    Antec 500W
    Case
    Antec three hundred
    Cooling
    3 fans + psu and cpu + gpu
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet
    Internet Speed
    110mb/ s
    Other Info
    Look, what i've created... just a few visits at the recyclement center was enough...
I see it here. Macs stay as a luxury, only few people have it, some of them don't even know how to work with it. It's funny that Macs owner come to me for tutorial of something I don't really have? It caused me rushing to read some of its manual. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
well a Personal Computer to me is a "stand-alone" machine to use by one person at a time.

That's a simple answer that I liked. But what to say about "PCs" with more than one monitor and keyboard. There's a version of Windows for this purpose, but I cant remember the name.

:think:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
well a Personal Computer to me is a "stand-alone" machine to use by one person at a time.

That's a simple answer that I liked. But what to say about "PCs" with more than one monitor and keyboard. There's a version of Windows for this purpose, but I cant remember the name.


:think:

Locally I ever heard "Thin client" but have never seen one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
well a Personal Computer to me is a "stand-alone" machine to use by one person at a time.

That's a simple answer that I liked. But what to say about "PCs" with more than one monitor and keyboard. There's a version of Windows for this purpose, but I cant remember the name.


:think:

Locally I ever heard "Thin client" but have never seen one.

I remebered. It's Windows Multipoint Server.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater

Though having several features to run as a PC (with all additional docking accessories). I may still call it as smartphone. Which is now start to distinguish itself away from mobile phone.
I thought it was pretty neat. For those who want a smartphone and a PC, it is handy. No need to sync the files, etc. It is certainly not designed to do any serious PC jobs, but for mail. internet and simple office applications it is probably good enough.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs

Though having several features to run as a PC (with all additional docking accessories). I may still call it as smartphone. Which is now start to distinguish itself away from mobile phone.
I thought it was pretty neat. For those who want a smartphone and a PC, it is handy. No need to sync the files, etc. It is certainly not designed to do any serious PC jobs, but for mail. internet and simple office applications it is probably good enough.

Agree, Sir. Its sync reported to still be in problem. It's pretty handy, just have it jumped from docking to pocket with all data in it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
"well a Personal Computer to me is a "stand-alone" machine to use by one person at a time. "
Best answer!
Whatever it may be wrongly referred to now, it's origin was a breakaway from mainframes to a complete computer for one user.
I think Altair, not much in technology, unfortunately, was the first in the field.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Now to REALLY scare you!! The term PC, or Personal Computer was first coined by Apple WAY back in the days of the Apple Lisa.
Had nothing to do with that box that ran a 8086/8088 processor. *Intel* ahhhhhhh the memories of the old 8086 brings back memories of Samsonite luggage that was handled by a wild gorilla tossing it around in his cage, and then new (At that time) Tonka dump truck and WELL before the very first episode of the Power Rangers. MTV?? What's MTV? ;)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro Retail
Hi there
It's a Smart phone connected to a large plasma TV and a keyboard . It *Might* or *Might not* have facilities available to connect other peripheral devices such as USB devices and / or printers.

Tbalets are only a special case of a "Smart phone".

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
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