Dictionary of Computers - personal computer

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Another name for microcomputer. The term is also used, more specifically, to mean the IBM Personal Computer and computers compatible with it.

The first IBM PC was introduced in the USA in 1981; it had 64 kilobytes of random access memory (RAM) and one floppy-disk drive. It was followed in 1983 by the XT (with a hard-disk drive) and in 1984 by the AT (based on a more powerful microprocessor). Many manufacturers have copied the basic design, which is now regarded as a standard for business microcomputers.

Computers designed to function like an IBM PC were originally known as IBM-compatible computers, but are now more usually called Windows PCs. The power of personal computers has increased year by year, as has their ability to handle sophisticated tasks, such as desktop video editing. The original XT's speed was clocked as 0.25 MIPS (millions of instructions per second), while Pentium-based PCs run in excess of 100 MIPS.

The blue band is lighter than that of the Dutch tricolour. Effective date: 16 August 1972. >>