Chapter 2. PC Components, Features, and System Design
What Is a PC?
When I begin one of my PC hardware seminars, I like to ask the question, “What exactly is a PC?” Most people immediately answer that PC stands for personal computer, which in fact it does. Many continue by defining a personal computer as any small computer system purchased and used by an individual. Although all of this is true, that definition is not precise enough when you consider that all PCs are personal computers, but not all personal computers are PCs. For example, all of Apple’s Motorola/IBM processor–based Macintosh systems, 8080/Z-80 processor–based CP/M machines, and even my old Apple ][+ system are all personal computers, but most people wouldn’t call them PCs, least ...
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