- A small, low cost computer originally designed for individual users Recently, microcomputers have become powerful tools for many businesses that, when networked together, have replaced minicomputers and in some cases mainframes as information tools
A category of computer that is generally used for personal computing, for small business computing, and as a workstation attached to large computers or to other small computers on a network
A computer that uses a microprocessor and its own memory/storage space to perform applications Also called a personal computer because it usually doesn't have the power to operate other computers
A microprocessor-based computer, consisting of an MPU, internal semiconductor memory, input and output sections, and a system bus, all on one, or several monolithic IC chips inserted into one or several PC boards The addition of a power supply and connecting cables, appropriate peripherals (keyboard, monitor, printer, disk drives, etc ), an operating system and other software programs can provide a complete microcomputer system The microcomputer is generally the smallest of the computer family, however, the improvement in performance capability of newer microcomputer systems can make the microcomputer as powerful as larger systems
A computer (a) in which the processing unit is a microprocessor and (b) that usually consists of a microprocessor, a storage unit, an input channel, and an output channel, all of which may be on one chip
A microcomputer is a small computer, especially one used for writing documents. a small computer. Small digital computers whose CPU is contained on a single integrated semiconductor chip. As large-scale and then very large-scale integration (VLSI) have progressively increased the number of transistors that can be placed on one chip, the processing capacity of microcomputers has grown immensely. The personal computer is the most common example of a microcomputer, but high-performance microcomputer systems are widely used in business, in engineering, and in "smart" machines in manufacturing. See also integrated circuit, microprocessor
A traditional view of computing saw three main categories of computers: mainframes, minicomputers and microcomputers Microcomputers were considered less powerful than other types of computer but were more flexible and relatively inexpensive to purchase
Small computers, inexpensive enough to be purchased by individuals and small businesses Also called personal computers IBM, APPLE, Radio Shack, Zenith and Commodore are common manufacturers of micros [Wow, that was written a while ago IBM and Apple are still around, along with Micron, Dell, Compac, and Gateway All the big Web search sites have special pages with information on purchasing and using personal computers; see, for example, Excite's Computers and Internet hardware page at: http: //my excite com/computers_and_internet/hardware/ ]
n 1 A computer designed for use by a single user, employing a single chip Processing Unit with fixed microcode and a single-user operating system 2 An embedded system employing a single chip CPU
This term is associated with computer chip based equipment that has independent, stand-alone, computing capacity, and may also be linked to large computers via communications networks The terms Desktop, Laptop and Personal Computer are also used interchangeably with microcomputer
(1) A computer system whose processing unit is a microprocessor; or, (2) A microprocessor, complete with stored program memoryread-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and input/output (I/O) logic on a single chip
A very small digital computer, normally able to process and store less data than a minicomputer and far less than a mainframe while doing so less rapidly than a minicomputer and far less rapidly than a mainframe Includes desktop, laptop, and hand-held models Also called a personal computer See also COMPUTER, MAINFRAME COMPUTER, MINICOMPUTER