Talk:Personal computer

Definition

I've been thinking about a definition. I don't think the current one is quite right. But it is obviously a difficult thing to pin down. There are workstations, servers, PDAs, routers, network appliances-- how is a PC different from all these?

But heres what I've got so far.

Criteria:

• Price
  • (Within the current accepted RETAIL norms. IF the price is too high you start to get into workstation territory. For example, the current $3500 Mac Pro Quad Intel systems would make great PCs-- but the average middle class person wouldn't buy them unless he/she had special reason too.)
• Completeness
  • The computer system is complete and able to run applications by itself. (Not a terminal, PDA cell phone etc) It has a UI and graphics ability consistent with the expected norm. (So right now the norm is a mouse keyboard and nice GUI)
• Configuration

The hardware is chosen to target the profile of a basic complete computer with a little but of user preference.

• • So for example if you have a $2000 PC that has a RAID array with accounts for $1000 or the cost... thats not really a PC since a PC with RAID is so out of the norm (low cost workstation)
• Role
  • designed as a general purpose computer that is targets to one user use.
  • It's OK if server features are thrown in because the OS supports them.
  • An appliance is not a PC no matter how nice it interface is. Your Tivo isn't a PC, A play station with a mouse plugged in isn't a PC etc..

Glen Pepicelli 05:35, 8 February 2007 (CST)

As I see it, a major question you're not addressing is processor type. What are we going to do about non-IBM-compatibles? Declare them to be something else? Should we say "a Personal computer is capable of running a consumer OS", and so include Macs and PCs? -- ZachPruckowski (Talk) 09:00, 8 February 2007 (CST)

Yeah thats a good point that should be part of the definition too:

• Can be operated by a layman-- This would also exclude some hobbyist computers

I don't think it has to be IBM compatible to be a personal computer. Macs, Amigas, Commodore 64, those are all personal computers and could all have their own articles. Obviously when people say PC sometimes they mean windows and sometimes the mean any personal computer. What do you think? Glen Pepicelli 16:45, 8 February 2007 (CST)

• I think that PPC Macs (I'm typing on one now, actually) are personal computers and Amiga/Commodore are older PCs, but I don't know how much the article needs to focus on current computers using SPARC or ARM processors, if at all. -- ZachPruckowski (Talk) 17:25, 8 February 2007 (CST)

History

I reorganized the article because I feel as though the primary interest here will be in the computer itself (uses, configuration, etc.), as opposed to the history. As such, coverage of the history can be moved a bit further back. Of course, that's open to discussion --ZachPruckowski 14:28, 16 January 2007 (CST)

Why not split the history into a separate (future) article? If you think about it the history is going to be HUGE since there are tons of different personal computers. For example the Soviet Union had it own PCs, Amigas and Ataris were popular in Europe, Latin American has some unique ones too.

--Glen

Not a bad idea. I may do just that. Or you can, if you want to. I'd also like to split the "early personal computers" out too. Also, please sign with ~~~~, because that links to your userpage for you. -- ZachPruckowski (Talk) 21:42, 6 February 2007 (CST)

Plans for article? Anyone?

The History section needs a good bit of clean-up. I'm not really qualified to do that. Also, we need to work out the deal with the non-IBM-compatible PCs. I think we want to say something, obviously, but I'm not sold on a huge list like that. --ZachPruckowski 15:01, 18 January 2007 (CST)