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A '''personal computer''' (often called a "PC"), is a computing device intended for one user.  When they first appeared, there was a question as to whether or not they would catch on or were a fad.  Those who recognized the potential of personal computers turned out to be right, and one of the world's largest organizations, [[Microsoft]], and the world's richest man [[Bill Gates]], accomplished what they have in business because of personal computers.

A '''personal computer''' (or "PC"), is a computing device intended for one user.  When these devices first appeared, there was a question as to whether or not they would catch on or were a passing fad.  Those who recognized the potential of personal computers turned out to be right, and one of the world's largest organizations, [[Microsoft]], and the world's richest man [[Bill Gates]], accomplished what they have in business because of personal computers.

For a long time the personal computer market was dominated by IBM (hardware) and Microsoft (software).  But the market is much more diverse now, with many hardware manufacturers, and 3 major [operating system] vendors:

For a long time, the personal computer market was dominated by [[IBM]] (a hardware manufacturer) and [[Microsoft]] (a software provider).  But the market is much more diverse now, with many hardware manufacturers, and 3 major [operating system]s:

*[[Microsoft]] (with various versions of their [[Windows]] operating system)

*[[Microsoft]] [[Windows]]

*[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] (their principle product, comprising both hardware and software, is the Macintosh, generally called the "Mac")

*[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] (their principle product, comprising both hardware and software, is the Macintosh, generally called the "Mac")

*Several varieties of [[Linux]].

*Many varieties of [[Linux]]

The terms "PC" and "IBM PC" used to be nearly synonymous.  But the term is much more general at present.  The connotation of small "personal" size has diminished over the years, as ever more powerful computers could be put into small packages.  Nowadays the term "PC" is commonly used to denote ''any'' general-purpose computer other than enormous supercomputers.  The reason is just conciseness—"PC" is two syllables and two letters.  "Computer" is 3 syllables and 8 letters.

The terms "PC" and "IBM PC" used to be nearly synonymous.  But the term is much more general at present.  The connotation of small "personal" size has diminished over the years, as ever more powerful computers could be put into small packages.  Nowadays the term "PC" is commonly used to denote ''any'' general-purpose computer other than enormous supercomputers.  The reason is just conciseness—"PC" is two syllables and two letters.  "Computer" is 3 syllables and 8 letters.

== As a gaming platform ==

== As a gaming platform ==

The The increasing power and capabilities of video game consoles can often be met and even exceeded with various forms of aftermarket PC hardware such as:

The The increasing power and capabilities of video game consoles can often be met and even exceeded with various forms of aftermarket PC hardware such as:

*An aftermarket [[Graphics Processing Unit|GPU]] designed specifically for high end gaming.

*An aftermarket or even integrated [[Graphics Processing Unit|GPU]] designed specifically for high end gaming

*A [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] that meets or exceeds software publisher system requirements.

*A [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] that meets or exceeds the game engine's requirements

*A [[Computer cooling]] system, recommended for any [[overclocking|overclocked]] hardware. This varies greatly in sophistication from a larger cooling fan to a sophisticated [[refrigerator]]-like system complete with [[liquid nitrogen]] and tubing for the transfer of heat.

*[[Computer cooling]] systems, necisary for any moder computer, but especially important for any [[overclocking|overclocked]] hardware. These systems vary greatly in sophistication from simple cooling fans to liquid cooled systems or even sophisticated [[refrigerator]]-like designs complete with [[liquid nitrogen]] and tubing for the transfer of heat.

*A [[motherboard]] (mo-bo) capable of supporting existing and future hardware (some past motherboards fail to support [[PCI Express]] hardware). Upgrading hardware reduces [[E-waste]] generation and the effects of [[planned obsolescence]].

*A [[motherboard]] capable of supporting existing and future hardware (some past motherboards fail to support [[PCI Express]] hardware). Upgrading hardware reduces [[E-waste]] generation and the effects of [[planned obsolescence]].

*A [[sound card]] that meets or exceeds software publisher system requirements.

*A [[sound card]] which supports the game's sometimes complex audio output

== References ==

== References ==

*[http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9134545/This_old_PC_Revitalizing_an_aging_desktop_computer_on_the_cheap]

*[http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9134545/This_old_PC_Revitalizing_an_aging_desktop_computer_on_the_cheap]

[[Category:Information Technology]]

 

[[Category:Computers]]