Computer: Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. In more modern desktop computers, the connection can be wireless. They are used in a huge variety of ways and can include many different types of network. https://techterms.com/definition/computer. Today, however, the term is most often used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers that most people use. It is common for desktop computer users to pair the device with a printer. This includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Learn how to generate a detailed report that uncovers unusual activity by users on a Windows file share without having to ... All Rights Reserved, The first computer that could be considered a desktop was the Olivetti Programma 101. How to use computer in a sentence. Computer Platform Defined. What Does Computer Vision Mean? This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given. When referring to a desktop model, the term "computer" technically only refers to the computer itself -- not the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. A desktop computer includes the processor, which can be a microtower or minitower designed to fit under the desk or a unit that goes on top of the desk. All definitions on the TechTerms website are written to be technically accurate but also easy to understand. By moving the processor off the desk itself, users could work with larger monitors. The term is most commonly associated with Microsoft Windows workgroups but also applies to other environments. Privacy Policy Desktop computers are commonly used in the enterprise, as well as in consumer use cases such as gaming. You can unsubscribe at any time.Questions? It explains in computing terminology what Computer means and is one of many hardware terms in the TechTerms dictionary. PCs are multipurpose computers suited for individual end users, as opposed to high-performance computers that are typically reserved for IT specialists for carrying out tasks such as managing servers.PCs typically run on commercial operating systems (OS), commercial software applications, and freeway and open source software. Copyright 2008 - 2021, TechTarget It is like imparting human intelligence and instincts to a computer. This page contains a technical definition of Computer. Modern desktop computer displays use light-emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic LED (OLED) displays. The Computer meaning is the digital device that stores information in memory using input devices and manipulate information to produce output according to given instructions. PC stands for personal computer. Start my free, unlimited access. TechTerms - The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary. By the third quarter of 2008, laptops had surpassed desktops in terms of total shipments. The two principal characteristics of a computer are: It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner and it can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).. Modern Computers Defined In the 1990s, the all-in-one style desktop gave way to computer towers that users could store on the floor under their desks. Finally, a "supercomputer" is a machine that can process billions of instructions a second and is used to calculate extremely complex calculations. If you think a term should be updated or added to the TechTerms dictionary, please email TechTerms! How Windows 10 works on desktop computers, Guide for WVD pricing with Microsoft Azure, Why and when to use Windows Virtual Desktop, Compare Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops vs. WVD, SCCM vs. Intune: A closer look at the capabilities of each, How to choose between Azure Files vs. an on-prem file server, Generate a Windows file server audit via PowerShell. Computer networks are the basis of communication in IT. It is designed to execute applications and provides a variety of solutions by combining integrated hardware and software components. Even the smaller computers at the time, known as minicomputers, were at least the size of a desk themselves. Desktop computer motherboards are generally standardized on Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX), microATX or Balanced Technology eXtended form factors. A minicomputer lies between the mainframe and the microcomputer because its size is smaller than the former one and larger than the latter one. Today, however, the term is most often used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers that most people use. A computer is a programmable machine. Computer vision is a field of computer science that works on enabling computers to see, identify and process images in the same way that human vision does, and then provide appropriate output. Some of the major parts of a personal computer (or PC) include the motherboard, CPU, memory (or RAM), hard drive, and video card. It houses the physical hardware that makes a computer run and connects to input devices such as the monitor, keyboard and mouse users interact with. It was released in 1965 and was the size of a typewriter. In the 2000s, the desktop computer gained competition in the form of laptops -- portable computing devices that fit in a user's lap. Computer numerical control (CNC) is a method for automating control of machine tools through the use of software embedded in a microcomputer attached to the tool. Most early desktop computers used cathode ray tube (CTR) displays that sat on top of the actual computer, which laid horizontally on the user's desk. computer synonyms, computer pronunciation, computer translation, English dictionary definition of computer. This page contains a technical definition of Hyperlink. There are also compact desktop computers, which are similar to full-sized desktops but in a smaller form factor. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given. The desktop computer also houses disk storage. Some of the top desktop computer vendors include Dell, HP Inc., Apple and Lenovo. The laptop was particularly damaging to desktop computers in the consumer market because home users prefer the convenience of laptops. Please contact us. If you have any questions, please contact us. The earliest computers in the mid-1960s were large and took up entire rooms. A computer network is a set of computers that are connected together so that they can share information. These are known as full-sized desktops, and the tower connects to the monitor and other aspects of the desktop through cables. While personal computers are by far the most common type of computers today, there are several other types of computers. It is a class of small computers that was introduced into the world in the mid-1960s. Still, it is acceptable to refer to everything together as the computer. The infection is only noticed when the system consumes most of the resources due … Computer hardware is the collection of physical parts of a computer system. We just sent you an email to confirm your email address. It also includes a motherboard, the main circuit board for the computer. Desktop computers became increasingly popular in the subsequent decades with IBM Personal Computer and Apple Macintosh dominating the market. Once you confirm your address, you will begin to receive the newsletter. For example, a "minicomputer" is a powerful computer that can support many users at once. Subscribe to the TechTerms Newsletter to get featured terms and quizzes right in your inbox. Computer worms exploit certain parts of the operating system that are not visible to the user. A desktop computer is a personal computing device designed to fit on top of a typical office desk. In the enterprise, they are important because they are the main means for many users to do their jobs. You can choose to receive either a daily or weekly email. Other desktops popped up through the mid-1970s and the first home computers -- TRS-80, Apple II and Commodore Personal Electronic Transactor -- debuted in 1977. A desktop computer is a personal computing device designed to fit on top of a typical office desk. Sign-up now. They also feature standard extension slots such as Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe). They require an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which means they must be plugged in at all times to function. Computer: A computer is a machine or device that performs processes, calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software or hardware program. These are known as all-in-one desktop computers. See more. All definitions on the TechTerms website are written to be technically accurate but also easy to understand. It is possible to interconnect desktop computers across a local area network (LAN) so users can share resources across devices and connect to peripherals such as printers. Define computer. Do Not Sell My Personal Info. Learn more. The word compute is derived from the Latin word ‘computare’, was meaning “arithmetic, accounting”. It is commonly used in manufacturing for machining metal and plastic parts. wearable computer: A wearable computer is an electronic device capable of storing and processing data that is incorporated into a person's clothing or personal accessories. In addition, the rise of smartphones and tablets cut into the desktop computer's popularity to the point where Google Android became the most used operating system in the world in April 2017, supplanting Microsoft Windows, the most common desktop OS. A computer worm is a type of malicious software program which infects other systems by making multiple copies of itself and spreading itself onto other computers within the network. Computer definition is - one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. A minicomputer is a computer which has all the features of a large size computer, but its size is smaller than those. What is Computer Worm? A "mainframe" is a large, high-powered computer that can perform billions of calculations from multiple sources at one time. In computer networking, a workgroup is a collection of computers on a local area network (LAN) that share common resources and responsibilities. Almost all desktop computers include a built-in modem and multi-gigabyte magnetic storage drive. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of computers. Computer definition, a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. It explains in computing terminology what Hyperlink means and is one of many Internet terms in the TechTerms dictionary. If you want to be really technical, the box that holds the computer is called the "system unit.". computer definition: 1. an electronic machine that is used for storing, organizing, and finding words, numbers, and…. n. 1. a. A computer platform is a system that consists of a hardware device and an operating system that an application, program or process runs upon. Definition: A minicomputer is also known as mini. If you find this Computer definition to be helpful, you can reference it using the citation links above. Cookie Preferences Computer Definition. Together as the computer more modern desktop computers, the box that holds the computer case monitor! 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