personal computer
Japanese Name
ぱそこん
pasokon
Description
- A personal computer (PC) is an electronic machine used for many tasks such as writing documents, browsing the internet, watching videos, playing games, and more. It can be a desktop (a larger computer placed on a desk) or a laptop (a smaller, portable computer).
History
- The concept of a personal computer — a small, affordable computer designed for individual use — emerged in the 1970s.
- The first personal computers were developed in the early 1970s, such as the Kenbak-1 (1971) and the Altair 8800 (1975).
- In 1977, Apple released the Apple II, one of the first successful mass-produced personal computers.
- The introduction of the IBM PC in 1981 popularized the term and standard for personal computers worldwide.
- The growth of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as those in the Apple Macintosh (1984) and Microsoft Windows (1985), made computers easier to use for the general public.
- In Japan, the term パソコン became popular as personal computers spread widely during the 1980s and 1990s, both for home and business use.
- Today, personal computers include desktops, laptops, and tablets, and they are essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and education globally.
