Micron Document
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<span id="openzim-page-title" class="mw-page-title-main"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Microcomputer</span></span>
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</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">"Microcomputing" redirects here. For the hobbyist magazine, see <a href="Kilobaud_Microcomputing" title="Kilobaud Microcomputing"><i>Kilobaud Microcomputing</i></a>.</div>
<div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">For a <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/micro-" class="extiw external" title="wikt:micro-">small</a> computer on an <a href="Integrated_circuit" title="Integrated circuit">integrated circuit</a>, see <a href="Microcontroller" title="Microcontroller">Microcontroller</a>.</div>


<p>A <b>microcomputer</b> is a small, relatively inexpensive <a href="Computer" title="Computer">computer</a> having a <a href="Central_processing_unit" title="Central processing unit">central processing unit</a> (CPU) made out of a <a href="Microprocessor" title="Microprocessor">microprocessor</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The computer also includes <a href="Computer_memory" title="Computer memory">memory</a> and <a href="Input/output" title="Input/output">input/output</a> (I/O) circuitry together mounted on a <a href="Printed_circuit_board" title="Printed circuit board">printed circuit board</a> (PCB).<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Microcomputers became popular in the 1970s and 1980s with the advent of increasingly powerful microprocessors. The predecessors to these computers, <a href="Mainframe_computer" title="Mainframe computer">mainframes</a> and <a href="Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">minicomputers</a>, were comparatively much larger and more expensive (though indeed present-day mainframes such as the <a href="IBM_Z" title="IBM Z">IBM Z</a> machines use one or more custom microprocessors as their CPUs). Many microcomputers (when equipped with a <a href="Computer_keyboard" title="Computer keyboard">keyboard</a> and <a href="Computer_monitor" title="Computer monitor">screen</a> for input and output) are also <a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computers</a> (in the generic sense). An early use of the term "personal computer" in 1962 predates microprocessor-based designs. <i>(See "Personal Computer: Computers at Companies" reference below)</i>. A "microcomputer" used as an embedded control system may have no human-readable input and output devices. "Personal computer" may be used generically or may denote an <a href="IBM_PC_compatible" title="IBM PC compatible">IBM PC compatible</a> machine.
</p><p>The abbreviation "micro" was common during the 1970s and 1980s,<sup id="cite_ref-microvalid_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-microvalid-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> but has since fallen out of common usage.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Origins">Origins</h2></div>
<p>The term <i>microcomputer</i> came into popular use after the introduction of the <a href="Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">minicomputer</a>, although <a href="Isaac_Asimov" title="Isaac Asimov">Isaac Asimov</a> used the term in his short story "<a href="The_Dying_Night" title="The Dying Night">The Dying Night</a>" as early as 1956 (published in <i><a href="The_Magazine_of_Fantasy_%26_Science_Fiction" title="The Magazine of Fantasy &amp; Science Fiction">The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction</a></i> in July that year).<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Most notably, the microcomputer replaced the many separate components that made up the minicomputer's CPU with one integrated microprocessor <a href="Integrated_circuit" title="Integrated circuit">chip</a>.
</p><p>In 1973, the French <a href="Institut_National_de_la_Recherche_Agronomique" class="mw-redirect" title="Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique">Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique</a> (INRA) was looking for a computer able to measure agricultural <a href="Hygrometry" class="mw-redirect" title="Hygrometry">hygrometry</a>. To answer this request, a team of French engineers of the computer technology company R2E, led by its Head of Development, <a href="Fran%C3%A7ois_Gernelle" title="François Gernelle">François Gernelle</a>, created the first available microprocessor-based microcomputer, the <a href="Micral" title="Micral">Micral</a> N. The same year the company filed their patents with the term "Micro-ordinateur", a literal equivalent of "Microcomputer", to designate a solid state machine designed with a microprocessor.
</p><p>In the US the earliest models such as the <a href="Altair_8800" title="Altair 8800">Altair 8800</a> were often sold as kits to be assembled by the user, and came with as little as 256 <a href="Byte" title="Byte">bytes</a> of <a href="Random-access_memory" title="Random-access memory">RAM</a>, and no <a href="Input/output" title="Input/output">input/output</a> devices other than indicator lights and switches, useful as a <a href="Proof_of_concept" title="Proof of concept">proof of concept</a> to demonstrate what such a simple device could do.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
As microprocessors and <a href="Semiconductor_memory" title="Semiconductor memory">semiconductor memory</a> became less expensive, microcomputers grew cheaper and easier to use.
</p>
<ul><li>Increasingly inexpensive logic chips such as the <a href="7400_series" class="mw-redirect" title="7400 series">7400 series</a> allowed cheap dedicated circuitry for improved <a href="User_interface" title="User interface">user interfaces</a> such as <a href="Keyboard_(computing)" class="mw-redirect" title="Keyboard (computing)">keyboard</a> input, instead of simply a row of switches to toggle bits one at a time.</li>
<li>Use of <a href="Audio_cassette" class="mw-redirect" title="Audio cassette">audio cassettes</a> for inexpensive <a href="Data_storage" title="Data storage">data storage</a> replaced manual re-entry of a program every time the device was powered on.</li>
<li>Large cheap arrays of silicon <a href="Logic_gates" class="mw-redirect" title="Logic gates">logic gates</a> in the form of <a href="Read-only_memory" title="Read-only memory">read-only memory</a> and <a href="EPROM" title="EPROM">EPROMs</a> allowed utility programs and self-<a href="Booting" title="Booting">booting</a> <a href="Kernel_(operating_system)" title="Kernel (operating system)">kernels</a> to be stored within microcomputers. These <a href="Stored_program" class="mw-redirect" title="Stored program">stored programs</a> could automatically load further more complex software from external storage devices without user intervention, to form an inexpensive <a href="Turnkey_system" class="mw-redirect" title="Turnkey system">turnkey system</a> that does not require a computer expert to understand or to use the device.</li>
<li><a href="Random-access_memory" title="Random-access memory">Random-access memory</a> became cheap enough to afford dedicating approximately 1–2 kilobytes of memory to a <a href="Video_display_controller" title="Video display controller">video display controller</a> <a href="Frame_buffer" class="mw-redirect" title="Frame buffer">frame buffer</a>, for a 40x25 or 80x25 text display or blocky color graphics on a common household <a href="Television" title="Television">television</a>. This replaced the slow, complex, and expensive <a href="Teletypewriter" class="mw-redirect" title="Teletypewriter">teletypewriter</a> (such as the popular <a href="Teletype_Model_33" title="Teletype Model 33">Teletype Model 33</a>)that was previously common as an interface to minicomputers and mainframes.</li></ul>
<p>All these improvements in cost and usability resulted in an explosion in their popularity during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
A large number of computer makers packaged microcomputers for use in small business applications. By 1979, many companies such as <a href="Cromemco" title="Cromemco">Cromemco</a>, <a href="Processor_Technology" title="Processor Technology">Processor Technology</a>, <a href="IMSAI" class="mw-redirect" title="IMSAI">IMSAI</a>, <a href="North_Star_Computers" title="North Star Computers">North Star Computers</a>, <a href="SWTPC" title="SWTPC">Southwest Technical Products Corporation</a>, <a href="Ohio_Scientific" title="Ohio Scientific">Ohio Scientific</a>, <a href="Altos_Computer_Systems" title="Altos Computer Systems">Altos Computer Systems</a>, <a href="Morrow_Designs" class="mw-redirect" title="Morrow Designs">Morrow Designs</a> and others produced systems designed for resourceful end users or consulting firms to deliver business systems such as accounting, database management and word processing to small businesses. This allowed businesses unable to afford leasing of a minicomputer or <a href="Time-sharing" title="Time-sharing">time-sharing</a> service the opportunity to automate business functions, without (usually) hiring a full-time staff to operate the computers. A representative system of this era would have used an <a href="S100_bus" class="mw-redirect" title="S100 bus">S100 bus</a>, an <a href="8-bit_computing" title="8-bit computing">8-bit</a> processor such as an <a href="Intel_8080" title="Intel 8080">Intel 8080</a> or <a href="Zilog_Z80" title="Zilog Z80">Zilog Z80</a>, and either <a href="CP/M" title="CP/M">CP/M</a> or <a href="MP/M" title="MP/M">MP/M</a> operating system.
The increasing availability and power of <a href="Desktop_computer" title="Desktop computer">desktop computers</a> for personal use attracted the attention of more software developers. As the industry matured, the market for <a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computers</a> standardized around <a href="IBM_PC_compatible" title="IBM PC compatible">IBM PC compatibles</a> running <a href="DOS" title="DOS">DOS</a>, and later <a href="Microsoft_Windows" title="Microsoft Windows">Windows</a>. Modern desktop computers, <a href="Video_game_console" title="Video game console">video game consoles</a>, <a href="Laptop" title="Laptop">laptops</a>, <a href="Tablet_computer" title="Tablet computer">tablet PCs</a>, and many types of <a href="Handheld_device" class="mw-redirect" title="Handheld device">handheld devices</a>, including <a href="Mobile_phone" title="Mobile phone">mobile phones</a>, pocket <a href="Calculator" title="Calculator">calculators</a>, and industrial <a href="Embedded_system" title="Embedded system">embedded systems</a>, may all be considered examples of microcomputers according to the definition given above.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Colloquial_use_of_the_term">Colloquial use of the term</h2></div>

<p>By the early 2000s, everyday use of the expression "microcomputer" (and in particular "micro") declined significantly from its peak in the mid-1980s.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The term is most commonly associated with the most popular <a href="8-bit_computing" title="8-bit computing">8-bit</a> <a href="Home_computer" title="Home computer">home computers</a> (such as the <a href="Apple_II" title="Apple II">Apple II</a>, <a href="ZX_Spectrum" title="ZX Spectrum">ZX Spectrum</a>, <a href="Commodore_64" title="Commodore 64">Commodore 64</a>, <a href="BBC_Micro" title="BBC Micro">BBC Micro</a>, and <a href="TRS-80" title="TRS-80">TRS-80</a>) and small-business <a href="CP/M" title="CP/M">CP/M</a>-based microcomputers.
</p><p>In colloquial usage, "microcomputer" has been largely supplanted by the term "<a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computer</a>" or "PC", which specifies a computer that has been designed to be used by one individual at a time, a term first coined in 1959.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> IBM first promoted the term "personal computer" to differentiate the <a href="IBM_Personal_Computer" title="IBM Personal Computer">IBM PC</a> from <a href="CP/M" title="CP/M">CP/M</a>-based microcomputers likewise targeted at the small-business market, and also IBM's own mainframes and minicomputers. However, following its release, the IBM PC itself was widely imitated, as well as the term. The component parts were commonly available to producers and the <a href="BIOS" title="BIOS">BIOS</a> was <a href="Reverse_engineered" class="mw-redirect" title="Reverse engineered">reverse engineered</a> through <a href="Cleanroom_design" class="mw-redirect" title="Cleanroom design">cleanroom design</a> techniques. <a href="IBM_PC_compatible" title="IBM PC compatible">IBM PC compatible</a> "clones" became commonplace, and the terms "personal computer", and especially "PC", stuck with the general public, often specifically for a computer compatible with DOS (or nowadays Windows).
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Description">Description</h2></div>
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<p>Monitors, keyboards and other devices for input and output may be integrated or separate. Computer memory in the form of <a href="Random-access_memory" title="Random-access memory">RAM</a>, and at least one other less volatile, memory storage device are usually combined with the CPU on a <a href="System_bus" title="System bus">system bus</a> in one unit. Other devices that make up a complete microcomputer system include batteries, a <a href="Power_supply" title="Power supply">power supply</a> unit, a keyboard and various input/output devices used to convey information to and from a human operator (<a href="Computer_printer" class="mw-redirect" title="Computer printer">printers</a>, <a href="Computer_display" class="mw-redirect" title="Computer display">monitors</a>, <a href="Human_interface_device" title="Human interface device">human interface devices</a>). Microcomputers are designed to serve only one user at a time, although they can often be modified with software or hardware to concurrently serve more than one user. Microcomputers fit well on or under desks or tables, so that they are within easy access of users. Bigger computers like <a href="Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">minicomputers</a>, <a href="Mainframe_computer" title="Mainframe computer">mainframes</a>, and <a href="Supercomputer" title="Supercomputer">supercomputers</a>, however, take up large <a href="Cabinet_(computer)" class="mw-redirect" title="Cabinet (computer)">cabinets</a> or even dedicated rooms.
</p><p>A microcomputer comes equipped with at least one type of data storage, usually <a href="Random-access_memory" title="Random-access memory">RAM</a>. Although some microcomputers (particularly early 8-bit home micros) perform tasks using RAM alone, some form of <a href="Secondary_storage" class="mw-redirect" title="Secondary storage">secondary storage</a> is normally desirable. In the early days of home micros, this was often a data <a href="Cassette_deck" title="Cassette deck">cassette deck</a> (in many cases as an external unit). Later, secondary storage (particularly in the form of <a href="Floppy_disk" title="Floppy disk">floppy disk</a> and <a href="Hard_disk" class="mw-redirect" title="Hard disk">hard disk</a> drives) were built into the microcomputer case.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2></div>

<div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="TTL_precursors">TTL precursors</h3></div>
<p>Although they did not contain any microprocessors, but were built around <a href="Transistor-transistor_logic" class="mw-redirect" title="Transistor-transistor logic">transistor-transistor logic</a> (TTL), <a href="Hewlett-Packard" title="Hewlett-Packard">Hewlett-Packard</a> calculators as far back as 1968 had various levels of programmability comparable to microcomputers. The HP 9100B (1968) had rudimentary conditional (if) statements, statement line numbers, jump statements (<a href="Go_to" class="mw-redirect" title="Go to">go to</a>), registers that could be used as variables, and primitive subroutines. The programming language resembled <a href="Assembly_language" title="Assembly language">assembly language</a> in many ways. Later models incrementally added more features, including the <a href="BASIC" title="BASIC">BASIC</a> programming language (HP 9830A in 1971). Some models had tape storage and small printers. However, displays were limited to one line at a time.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The <a href="Hewlett_Packard_9100A" class="mw-redirect" title="Hewlett Packard 9100A">HP 9100A</a> was referred to as a <a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computer</a> in an advertisement in a 1968 <a href="Science_(journal)" title="Science (journal)">Science</a> magazine,<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> but that advertisement was quickly dropped.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> HP was reluctant to sell them as "computers" because the perception at that time was that a computer had to be big in size to be powerful, and thus decided to market them as calculators. Additionally, at that time, people were more likely to buy calculators than computers, and, purchasing agents also preferred the term "calculator" because purchasing a "computer" required additional layers of purchasing authority approvals.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>The <a href="Datapoint_2200" title="Datapoint 2200">Datapoint 2200</a>, made by <a href="Datapoint" title="Datapoint">CTC</a> in 1970, was also comparable to microcomputers. While it contains no microprocessor, the <a href="Instruction_set" class="mw-redirect" title="Instruction set">instruction set</a> of its custom TTL processor was the basis of the instruction set for the <a href="Intel_8008" title="Intel 8008">Intel 8008</a>, and for practical purposes the system behaves approximately as if it contains an 8008. This is because Intel was the contractor in charge of developing the Datapoint's CPU, but ultimately CTC rejected the 8008 design because it needed 20 support chips.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>Another early system, the <a href="Kenbak-1" title="Kenbak-1">Kenbak-1</a>, was released in 1971. Like the Datapoint 2200, it used <a href="Integrated_circuit#SSI" title="Integrated circuit">small-scale integrated</a> <a href="Transistor%E2%80%93transistor_logic" title="Transistor–transistor logic">transistor–transistor logic</a> instead of a microprocessor. It was marketed as an educational and hobbyist tool, but it was not a commercial success; production ceased shortly after introduction.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Early_microcomputers">Early microcomputers</h3></div>
<p>In late 1972, a French team headed by <a href="Fran%C3%A7ois_Gernelle" title="François Gernelle">François Gernelle</a> within a small company, Réalisations &amp; Etudes Electroniques (R2E), developed and patented a computer based on a microprocessor – the Intel 8008 8-bit microprocessor. This <a href="Micral" title="Micral">Micral-N</a> was marketed in early 1973 as a "Micro-ordinateur" or <i>microcomputer</i>, mainly for scientific and process-control applications. About a hundred <a href="Micral" title="Micral">Micral-N</a> were installed in the next two years, followed by a new version based on the Intel 8080. Meanwhile, another French team developed the Alvan, a small computer for office automation which found clients in banks and other sectors. The first version was based on LSI chips with an Intel 8008 as peripheral controller (keyboard, monitor and printer), before adopting the <a href="Zilog_Z80" title="Zilog Z80">Zilog Z80</a> as main processor.
</p><p>In early 1973, <a href="Sord_Computer_Corporation" title="Sord Computer Corporation">Sord Computer Corporation</a> (now <a href="Toshiba" title="Toshiba">Toshiba Personal Computer System Corporation</a>) completed the SMP80/08, which used the <a href="Intel_8008" title="Intel 8008">Intel 8008</a> microprocessor. The SMP80/08, however, did not have a commercial release. After the first general-purpose microprocessor, the <a href="Intel_8080" title="Intel 8080">Intel 8080</a>, was announced in April 1974, Sord announced the SMP80/x, the first microcomputer to use the 8080, in May 1974.<sup id="cite_ref-ipsj_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ipsj-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>Virtually all early microcomputers were essentially boxes with lights and switches; one had to read and understand binary numbers and machine language to program and use them (the Datapoint 2200 was a striking exception, bearing a modern design based on a monitor, keyboard, and tape and disk drives). Of the early "box of switches"-type microcomputers, the MITS <a href="Altair_8800" title="Altair 8800">Altair 8800</a> (1975) was arguably the most famous. Most of these simple, early microcomputers were sold as <a href="Electronic_kits" class="mw-redirect" title="Electronic kits">electronic kits</a>—bags full of loose components which the buyer had to solder together before the system could be used.
</p>

<p>The period from about 1971 to 1976 is sometimes called the first generation of microcomputers. Many companies such as <a href="Digital_Equipment_Corporation" title="Digital Equipment Corporation">DEC</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="National_Semiconductor" title="National Semiconductor">National Semiconductor</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="Texas_Instruments" title="Texas Instruments">Texas Instruments</a><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> offered their microcomputers for use in terminal control, peripheral device interface control and industrial machine control. There were also machines for engineering development and hobbyist personal use.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 1975, the <a href="Processor_Technology" title="Processor Technology">Processor Technology</a> <a href="SOL-20" class="mw-redirect" title="SOL-20">SOL-20</a> was designed, which consisted of one board which included all the parts of the computer system. The <a href="SOL-20" class="mw-redirect" title="SOL-20">SOL-20</a> had built-in EPROM software which eliminated the need for rows of switches and lights. The <a href="Altair_8800" title="Altair 8800">MITS Altair</a> just mentioned played an instrumental role in sparking significant hobbyist interest, which itself eventually led to the founding and success of many well-known <a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computer</a> hardware and software companies, such as <a href="Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a> and <a href="Apple_Computer" class="mw-redirect" title="Apple Computer">Apple Computer</a>. Although the Altair itself was only a mild commercial success, it helped spark a huge industry.
</p>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Home_computers">Home computers</h3></div>
<p>By 1977, the introduction of the second microcomputer generation as <a href="Consumer_goods" class="mw-redirect" title="Consumer goods">consumer goods</a>, known as <a href="Home_computer" title="Home computer">home computers</a>, made them considerably easier to use than their predecessors because their predecessors' operation often demanded thorough familiarity with practical electronics. The ability to connect to a monitor (screen) or TV set allowed visual manipulation of text and numbers. The <a href="BASIC" title="BASIC">BASIC</a> language, which was easier to learn and use than raw machine language, became a standard feature. These features were already common in <a href="Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">minicomputers</a>, with which many hobbyists and early produces were familiar.
</p><p>In 1979, the launch of the <a href="VisiCalc" title="VisiCalc">VisiCalc</a> <a href="Spreadsheet" title="Spreadsheet">spreadsheet</a> (initially for the <a href="Apple_II" title="Apple II">Apple II</a>) first turned the microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a business tool. After the 1981 release by IBM of its <a href="IBM_PC" class="mw-redirect" title="IBM PC">IBM PC</a>, the term <a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computer</a> became generally used for microcomputers compatible with the IBM PC architecture (<a href="IBM_PC%E2%80%93compatible" class="mw-redirect" title="IBM PC–compatible">IBM PC–compatible</a>).
</p>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2></div>
<ul><li><a href="History_of_computing_hardware_(1960s%E2%80%93present)" title="History of computing hardware (1960s–present)">History of computing hardware (1960s–present)</a></li>
<li><a href="Lists_of_microcomputers" title="Lists of microcomputers">Lists of microcomputers</a></li>
<li><a href="Mainframe_computer" title="Mainframe computer">Mainframe computer</a></li>
<li><a href="Market_share_of_personal_computer_vendors" title="Market share of personal computer vendors">Market share of personal computer vendors</a></li>
<li><a href="Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">Minicomputer</a></li>
<li><a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">Personal computer</a></li>
<li><a href="Keyboard_computer" title="Keyboard computer">Keyboard computer</a></li>
<li><a href="Small_form_factor_(desktop_and_motherboard)" class="mw-redirect" title="Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)">SFF computer</a></li>
<li><a href="Supercomputer" title="Supercomputer">Supercomputer</a></li>
<li><a href="Workstation" title="Workstation">Workstation</a></li></ul>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes_and_references">Notes and references</h2></div>
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</style><div id="Computer_sizes_and_classes279" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="List_of_computer_size_categories" title="List of computer size categories">Computer sizes</a> and <a href="Classes_of_computers" title="Classes of computers">classes</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Static</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Computer_appliance" title="Computer appliance">Appliances</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Arcade_cabinet" title="Arcade cabinet">Arcade cabinet</a></li>
<li><a href="Diskless_node" title="Diskless node">Diskless node</a></li>
<li><a href="Internet_appliance" title="Internet appliance">Internet appliance</a></li>
<li><a href="Intelligent_terminal" class="mw-redirect" title="Intelligent terminal">Intelligent terminal</a></li>
<li><a href="Interactive_kiosk" title="Interactive kiosk">Interactive kiosk</a></li>
<li><a href="Rich_client" title="Rich client">Rich client</a></li>
<li><a href="Simulator_ride" title="Simulator ride">Simulator</a></li>
<li><a href="Smart_speaker" title="Smart speaker">Smart speaker</a></li>
<li><a href="Smart_TV" title="Smart TV">Smart TV</a></li>
<li><a href="Thin_client" title="Thin client">Thin client</a></li>
<li><a href="Video_game_console" title="Video game console">Video game console</a>
<ul><li><a href="Home_video_game_console" title="Home video game console">Home console</a></li>
<li><a href="Microconsole" title="Microconsole">Microconsole</a></li></ul></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Computers</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">By use</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Gaming_computer" title="Gaming computer">Gaming</a></li>
<li><a href="Home_computer" title="Home computer">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="Industrial_PC" title="Industrial PC">Industrial</a></li>
<li><a href="Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">Personal</a>
<ul><li><a href="Personal_supercomputer" title="Personal supercomputer">Personal super</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Public_computer" title="Public computer">Public</a></li>
<li><a href="Server_(computing)" title="Server (computing)">Server</a>
<ul><li><a href="Home_server" title="Home server">Home server</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Workstation" title="Workstation">Workstation</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">By size</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="All-in-one_computer" title="All-in-one computer">All-in-one</a>
<ul><li><a href="Panel_PC" title="Panel PC">Panel</a></li>
<li><a href="Table_computer" title="Table computer">Tabletop</a></li>
<li><a href="Surface_computer" title="Surface computer">Surface</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Desktop_computer" title="Desktop computer">Desktop</a>
<ul><li><a href="Deskside_computer" class="mw-redirect" title="Deskside computer">Deskside</a></li>
<li><a href="Pizza-box_form_factor" title="Pizza-box form factor">Pizza box</a></li>
<li><a href="Computer_tower" title="Computer tower">Tower</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Portable_computer" title="Portable computer">Portable</a></li>
<li><a href="Small_form_factor_PC" title="Small form factor PC">Small form factor</a>
<ul><li><a href="Mini_PC" title="Mini PC">Mini PC</a></li>
<li><a href="Plug_computer" title="Plug computer">Plug</a></li>
<li><a href="Stick_PC" title="Stick PC">Stick PC</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="19-inch_rack" title="19-inch rack">Rack</a>
<ul><li><a href="Blade_server" title="Blade server">Blade server</a></li>
<li><a href="Blade_PC" title="Blade PC">Blade PC</a></li></ul></li></ul>
</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Mobile_computing" title="Mobile computing">Mobile</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Laptop" title="Laptop">Laptop</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="2-in-1_laptop" title="2-in-1 laptop">2-in-1</a>
<ul><li><a href="2-in-1_laptop#2-in-1_convertible" title="2-in-1 laptop">Convertible</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Cloudbook" title="Cloudbook">Cloudbook</a></li>
<li><a href="Mobile_workstation" title="Mobile workstation">Mobile workstation</a></li>
<li><a href="Notebook_computer" title="Notebook computer">Notebook</a></li>
<li><a href="Subnotebook" title="Subnotebook">Subnotebook</a>
<ul><li><a href="Netbook" title="Netbook">Netbook</a></li>
<li><a href="Smartbook" title="Smartbook">Smartbook</a></li></ul></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Tablet_computer" title="Tablet computer">Tablet</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="2-in-1_laptop#2-in-1_detachable" title="2-in-1 laptop">Detachable</a></li>
<li><a href="Phablet" title="Phablet">Phablet</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Mobile_device" title="Mobile device">Handheld</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Electronic_organizer" title="Electronic organizer">Electronic organizer</a></li>
<li><a href="E-reader" title="E-reader">E-reader</a></li>
<li><a href="Handheld_game_console" title="Handheld game console">Handheld game console</a></li>
<li><a href="Handheld_PC" title="Handheld PC">Handheld PC</a></li>
<li><a href="Mobile_data_terminal" title="Mobile data terminal">Mobile data terminal</a></li>
<li><a href="Mobile_phone" title="Mobile phone">Mobile phone</a>
<ul><li><a href="Camera_phone" title="Camera phone">Camera</a></li>
<li><a href="Feature_phone" title="Feature phone">Feature</a></li>
<li><a href="Smartphone" title="Smartphone">Smartphone</a>
<ul><li><a href="Foldable_smartphone" title="Foldable smartphone">Foldable</a></li></ul></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Palmtop_PC" title="Palmtop PC">Palmtop PC</a></li>
<li><a href="Personal_digital_assistant" title="Personal digital assistant">Personal digital assistant</a></li>
<li><a href="Pocket_computer" title="Pocket computer">Pocket</a></li>
<li><a href="Portable_data_terminal" title="Portable data terminal">Portable data terminal</a></li>
<li><a href="Portable_media_player" title="Portable media player">Portable media player</a></li>
<li><a href="Siftable" title="Siftable">Siftable</a></li>
<li><a href="Ultra-mobile_PC" title="Ultra-mobile PC">Ultra-mobile PC</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Calculator" title="Calculator">Calculator</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Graphing_calculator" title="Graphing calculator">Graphing</a></li>
<li><a href="Programmable_calculator" title="Programmable calculator">Programmable</a></li>
<li><a href="Scientific_calculator" title="Scientific calculator">Scientific</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Wearable_computer" title="Wearable computer">Wearable</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Fitness_tracker" title="Fitness tracker">Fitness tracker</a>
<ul><li><a href="Smart_band" class="mw-redirect" title="Smart band">Smart band</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Watch#Digital" title="Watch">Digital wristwatch</a>
<ul><li><a href="Calculator_watch" title="Calculator watch">Calculator watch</a></li>
<li><a href="Smartwatch" title="Smartwatch">Smartwatch</a></li>
<li><a href="GPS_watch" title="GPS watch">Sportwatch</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Smartglasses" title="Smartglasses">Smartglasses</a></li>
<li><a href="Smart_ring" title="Smart ring">Smart ring</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="Midrange_computer" title="Midrange computer">Midrange</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">Mini</a></li>
<li><a href="Superminicomputer" title="Superminicomputer">Supermini</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Large</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Grid_computing" title="Grid computing">Grid</a></li>
<li><a href="Mainframe_computer" title="Mainframe computer">Mainframe</a></li>
<li><a href="Minisupercomputer" title="Minisupercomputer">Minisuper</a></li>
<li><a href="Supercomputer" title="Supercomputer">Super</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Others</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="Embedded_system" title="Embedded system">Embedded system</a></li>
<li><a href="Information_appliance" title="Information appliance">Information appliance</a></li>
<li><a href="Microcontroller" title="Microcontroller">Microcontroller</a></li>
<li><a href="Nanocomputer" title="Nanocomputer">Nano</a></li>
<li><a href="Rugged_computer" title="Rugged computer">Rugged</a>
<ul><li><a href="Rugged_smartphone" title="Rugged smartphone">Rugged smartphone</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Single-board_computer" title="Single-board computer">Single-board</a>
<ul><li><a href="Computer-on-module" title="Computer-on-module">Computer-on-module</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="Smartdust" title="Smartdust">Smartdust</a></li>
<li><a href="Wireless_sensor_network" title="Wireless sensor network">Wireless sensor network</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div>
<ul><li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Category"></span></span>&nbsp;Category</li></ul>
</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
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</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox authority-control" aria-labelledby="Authority_control_databases_frameless&amp;#124;text-top&amp;#124;10px&amp;#124;alt=Edit_this_at_Wikidata&amp;#124;link=https&amp;#58;//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q32738#identifiers&amp;#124;class=noprint&amp;#124;Edit_this_at_Wikidata1560" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><div id="Authority_control_databases_frameless&amp;#124;text-top&amp;#124;10px&amp;#124;alt=Edit_this_at_Wikidata&amp;#124;link=https&amp;#58;//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q32738#identifiers&amp;#124;class=noprint&amp;#124;Edit_this_at_Wikidata1560" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em">Authority control databases </div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">National</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><ul><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://d-nb.info/gnd/4039206-5">Germany</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://id.loc.gov/authorities/sh85084804">United States</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><span class="rt-commentedText tooltip tooltip-dotted" title="Microordinateurs"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11954041f">France</a></span></span></li><li><span class="uid"><span class="rt-commentedText tooltip tooltip-dotted" title="Microordinateurs"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11954041f">BnF data</a></span></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://id.ndl.go.jp/auth/ndlna/001153461">Japan</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><span class="rt-commentedText tooltip tooltip-dotted" title="mikropočítače"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://aleph.nkp.cz/F/?func=find-c&amp;local_base=aut&amp;ccl_term=ica=ph115310&amp;CON_LNG=ENG">Czech Republic</a></span></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nli.org.il/en/authorities/987007531513605171">Israel</a></span></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Other</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><ul><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/concept/f7ebdaf6-2045-4f75-9448-41626dadfcae">Yale LUX</a></span></li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><!--htdig_noindex--><div><div class="zim-footer">
This article is issued from <a class="external text" title="Last edited on 2025-07-01" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?title=Microcomputer&amp;oldid=1298323149">Wikipedia</a>. The text is available under <a class="external text" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0</a> unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.
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