A personal computer (PC) is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator. In contrast with the batch processing or time-sharing models which allowed larger, more expensive minicomputer and mainframe systems to be used by many people, usually at the same time. Large data processing systems require a full-time staff to operate efficiently.

Software applications for personal computers include, but are not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Web browsers and e-mail clients, digital media playback, games, and myriad personal productivity and special-purpose software applications. Modern personal computers often have connections to the Internet, allowing access to the World Wide Web and a wide range of other resources. Personal computers may be connected to a local area network (LAN), either by a cable or a wireless connection. A personal computer may be a desktop computer or a laptop, tablet, or a handheld PC.

While early PC owners usually had to write their own programs to do anything useful with the machines, today's users have access to a wide range of commercial software and free software, which is provided in ready-to-run or ready-to-compile form. Since the early 1990s, Microsoft software and Intel hardware have dominated much of the personal computer market, first with MS-DOS and then with the Wintel platform. Popular alternatives to Microsoft's Windows operating systems include Apple's Mac OS X and open-source Linux-based operating systems such as Ubuntu. AMD provides the major alternative to Intel's central processing units. Applications and games for PCs are typically developed and distributed independently from the hardware or OS manufacturers, whereas software for many mobile phones and other portable systems is approved and distributed through a centralized online store.

In July and August 2011, marketing businesses and journalists began to talk about the 'Post-PC Era', in which the desktop form factor was being replaced with more portable computing such as netbooks, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones.

Adjective

PC (comparative more PC, superlative most PC)

1. Initialism of partially continuous.
2. Initialism of politically correct.
3. Initialism of pro-choice.
4. (Canada, politics, dated) Initialism of Progressive Conservative.

Antonyms

• (politically correct): non-PC, un-PC

Pc Images (Core, Hard Drive, Handle Most Power Hungry Applications ...
600 x 800px [source page] 29 Mac Book laptop computers ... A personal computer (PC) is any general-purpose computer whose size ... Shopping: General Merch. Consumer Info : Classifieds
www.pc0.us/images.htm

---

PC0 US, Personal Computer and Shopping @ PC0.us
600 x 800px [source page] 29 Mac Book laptop computers ... A personal computer (PC) is any general-purpose computer whose size ... Shopping: General Merch.
www.pc0.us

---

Emachines Blogs - PC0 US, Personal Computer and Shopping @ PC0.us
Emachines Blogs. Includes Emachines Desktop, Laptop, Computers, Monitor, Brand, Processor, Windows, Restore, Power Supply and Emachines Computer information plus more ...
www.pc0.us/emachines/blogs.htm

---

Mainframe Computer Information (Mainframes, Computer Types) @ PC0.us
Includes Mainframe Computers, Mainframe Systems ... platforms were increasingly replaced by personal computer ... Shopping: General Merch. Consumer Info : Classifieds
www.pc0.us/mainframe_computer/encyclopedia.htm

	New Location:
city:
state/region:
country:

• Auctions@ (5)
• Books@ (13)
• Games@ (144)

• Gifts (18)
• Hardware Retailers@ (594)
• Software Retailers@ (170)

---

• Consumer Information@ (218)
• Hardware Reviews@ (59)

See also:

• Computers: Companies (582)
• Home: Consumer Information (2,467)
• Shopping (83,008)