Computer Names

The last time I checked we were calling computers 100% IBM compatible. That shows it is a long time since I last checked. When did people stop saying "100% IBM compatible"?

Now it seems "PC" refers to a computer that has one of Microsoft's Windows disk operating systems and "Mac" one that has an Apple operating system. If, for any reason, you wanted to be very precise is there a term now to describe a Windows PC in the same vein as "100% IBM Compatible"?

 

You mean, other than "Windows PC"?

People stopped saying "100% IBM compatible" when IBM fell by the wayside of technology and were no longer the only other computer manufacturer other than Apple. Now, "PC" is the accepted term for a non-Apple computer, while "Mac" is the accepted term for an Apple computer.

 

"This Stupid Thing!"

C'Mon LauraR, you are OLDER than you make it sound.
(I had a Tandy Box for first system)

 

What if it's not yours? You can't say PC.:-D What about saying microcomputer?

 

It just comes from the '70's and early '80's when "Personal Computers" were made from scrounged I.B.M. parts, which early P.C.'s were. That's when they were relatively primitive and all the software and O.S. were also "borrowed" from other companies. That's basically how W.Gates Jr. made his fortune. E.g. D.O.S. sneakily purchased from Digital Research, GUI from Xerox, etc.
Back then, I.B.M. were the standard everyone associated with computers, because that's what was normally used in commercial and Govt. Co.'s.
Ironically., "P.C.'s" as such mainly came into their own through Non-I.B.M. companies. (Commodore, Sinclair, Atari, etc.), in the eighties, mainly. I.B.M., after trashing Commodore Co., wrongly assumed that they were "too serious" to be fooling around with Mr & Mrs. average and video-games. This was the era when Steve Jobs and the Apple P.C. were being introduced. Apple's problem then, as now, was that even though it may have been a market leader in many areas, it was always over-priced and not the best value for money.

 

I went to see "War Games", then went to Sears and bought a C64. Since then I've owned nearly every Mac model, and many, many PCs. I always assumed PC meant a Windows box. Not so much anymore tho I suppose...

 

After going through basic training, infantry school and jump school, I was lucky enough to pass a couple of tests and joined the Army Security Agency (the military arm of the NSA). We had all sorts of computers - everything from normal voice intercept systems and direction finding electronics to exotic machines that would track the fuel loading sequences of Russian ICBMs. In that dark world, we never cared if IBM or Apple or Cray or DEC had their brand name on the equipment - our only concern was that the units worked...

Sorry - got off topic. Old computers are a passion of mine - one of my prized possessions was a Heathkit hybrid machine that I dubbed "ENIAC II"...

Now I've told y'all too much, and I got to kill ya...:major

 

At least Wang is long gone. I really would be freaked out if people came into my shop saying, "My Wang isn't working properly. Can you take a look at it and fix it?" :-D

 

Not to worry, all this intel, and more I might add, is in the rather complete dossier we keep on you. :cool

 

I joined MG in 2002..... I was dabbling about 8 or 10 years prior to that. I had 2 friends forced out of tech in the 90's due to "being too old" aka "over 40."