Softwareli

Personal computer

This is in comparison to the time-sharing models which used to allow large expensive mainframe systems to be used by many different users, usually at the same time, or large data processing systems which used to require a full-time team to operate efficiently.

Desktop computers, a laptop, tablet PC or a handheld PC (also called palmtop) are considered as personal computers. Microprocessors x86-compatible CPUs are the most common in personal computers. Software applications developed for personal computers may include features as word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsers and e-mail clients, games, databases and special-purpose software. High-speed or dial-up connections to the Internet may often be found on modern personal computers, permitting access to the World Wide Web and a wide variety of other resources.

A personal computer may be used in an office, or at home as well. A local area network (LAN) can be established with a number of personal computers interconnected between them, either by a cable or wirelessly.

In earlier times, PC users and owners had to write their own programs in order to get any useful benefit of the machines, but today, users can have access to a wide range of commercial and non-commercial software which is provided in ready-to-run form.