The evolution of the personal computer

The evolution of the personal computer - that is, a computer built around a microprocessor for use by an individual - has a huge role in how people function in their daily lives.

First prototypes of the early 1970s, almost exclusively reserved for those contraptions in academia and research, the omnipresent hand held the 21st century, travel Laboratory for Pocket enable a lively discussion in itself.

In a word, however, the introduction of the microprocessor in the mid 1970s has helped to release the personal computer and open the way for pioneers such as IBM, Commodore and Apple to develop machines that would not only be a success commercial, but act as building blocks for an industry that most people take for granted today.

Indeed, it may be difficult to imagine life without computers, but it has only been fifteen years since the Internet is located in the world and helped make computers ultimately a global phenomenon .

From the moment we wake up to when we go to bed at night we are surrounded by computers of all shapes and sizes, with many mobile phones now serving as handheld computers equipped with powerful operating systems, Internet access the ability to play and almost everything to default, a desktop computer full scale can offer.

Today, it is estimated that approximately one billion computers networked throughout the world. Consumerism has gradually shifted from offline to the online environment and countless people now do their banking, book holidays, shop for clothes and groceries and even buy their cars through the World Wide Web. Saying that computers are ubiquitous would be an understatement.

For business or pleasure, the computers go everywhere with us now. Laptops are great for those who travel frequently because it allows them to use the cyber highway wherever they can access a Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Those who have a requirement can use more mobile phones and PDAs to connect to the Web.

These pocket-size options may be great for occasional use of Internet or e-mail, but the screen size and limited power can be restrictive for those who need something with a little help walk more.

Netbooks are becoming an option increasingly popular with people who want a halfway house between a full-sized laptop and a handheld device. Designed primarily for web-browsing and applications that do not require much power, netbooks now represent approximately 20% of the total market for portable computers and are usually much cheaper than traditional desktop or laptop.

Discount netbooks made computers affordable for everybody and prove to be contributing to the effort to make the Internet accessible to people of all social and financial circles.

In the UK alone, an estimated 65% of all UK households are currently connected to the World Wide Web and with the introduction of new computers affordable and portable personal, this figure can only increase.

Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not intended to promote, but should be considered professional content.