Personal Computers

Personal Computers have become an essential for everyone. Whether they are a student, a businessman, or a stay at home mom. As we know, computers weren't always like this. In the past, computers would take up a whole room. So, how did we go from that to the 5 pound machine we can take with us wherever we go?

Computers small and affordable enough to be purchased and used in homes first became available in the 1970s when large-scale integration allowed a microprocessor to be sufficient on a single semiconductor chip. A small firm known as MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) located in Albuquerque, New Mexico decided to use Intel's new 8080 chip to create a personal computer that could be used by anyone. The computer was created by MITS co-founder Ed Roberts in 1974. The first ever personal computer was created, and was named the Altair 8800. The Altair 8800 was sold for $297, or $395 if you wanted to purchase the computer with a case.

(The Altair 8800 Computer)

Obviously, this computer looks nothing like the ones we see today. But, it was the foundation for all computers we see now. Although at first this computer was only appealing to hobbyists, it introduced the idea of personal computers to people we know now, like Steve Jobs. Although it all began with the Altair 8800, the personal computer industry really began to blow up with the introduction of pre-assembled personal computers. In 1977, the Apple Computer, Inc. (now Apple Inc.), Apple II, the Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80, and the Commodore Business Machines Personal Electronic Transactor (PET). 

(The Apple II)

These computers could do much more than just calculations. These computers used eight-bit microprocessors which have the ability to process information in groups of 8 binary digits at a time. It also introduced the concept of computers being able to store (very limited) memory like we know today. These computers were small and affordable, all being under $500. Compared to the price of the larger scale computers used by large industries, which could sometimes go for over a million dollars. Obviously, these computers could carry out much more than these simple computers would be, but the average person would have no need for these systems. Although all of these computers were the beginning of personal computers, I know when I think of a personal computer, I think of portable computers. Portable computers weren't invented until 1981 by a man named Adam Osborne with his company, Osborne. This computer was able to fulfill almost all of the same capabilities as the other personal computers, but was able to be brought back and forth from the office and home. 

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It's hard to even explain the impact personal computers have had on our world. Personal Computers and laptops are now a necessity for every student and nearly every single job. Although these computers are incredibly helpful when it comes to typing, searching for information, and expanding our knowledge on thousands of topics, we have become incredibly reliant on these machines to get us through almost everything. Because we have these smart machines, we have no reason to be smart ourselves. There is little reason for anyone to remember or retain information, because we have access to the internet. We don't necessarily have to know anything, because we constantly have access to machines to tell us, and solve our problems. I believe the invention of personal computers have transformed the lives of everyone for good, and bad. This invention has allowed us to expand our knowledge and connect with others around the world.