Computers: A Technological Revolution To The Modern World

There is one way to define a PC: a general purpose information processing device. "Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention." (The History of Computers- Mary Bellis) In simpler terms for those whose expertise are lacking in the technical world; a PC can take information from a keyboard, floppy disk, or modem and process it. A computer takes in data, works with the data, and puts out information; also known as input, processing, and output. Every functional computer is made of hardware and software.

Hardware features Software features

- input devices: keyboard and mouse

- CPU and memory

- storage devices: hard drives

- output devices: printers and monitors - system software

- programs (applications)

"We have lots of special-purpose processors in our lives. An MP3 player is a specialized computer for processing MP3 files. It can't do anything else. GPS is a specialized

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computer for handling GPS signals. It can't do anything else. A Game Boy is a specialized computer for handling games, but it can't do anything else. A PC can do it all because it is general-purpose." (How PC's Work- Jeff Tyson).

In 1985 the battle between Macintosh Inc. and Microsoft Corp. began. This may very well be the longest running feud known to the digital age. Apple was on the verge of collapsing, until Steve Jobs came to the rescue and began to prove to the technological world that Apple computers are back and better than ever. Jobs soon exposed the IMac, which is why and how Apple is at the point that it's at to this very day. Macintosh and PC hardware systems are no longer as diverse as they once were said to be. Now, when buying a computer, the distinct and significant differences that both types have aren't as critical in the decision process.

What a person needs to regard is how the potential computer works for them. Buying a computer is about what an individual desires and requires it to do. Macintosh is well-known for it's user-friendly operating system, outstanding multimedia programs, and overall simplicity. Windows PCs are well-known for their wide application base, variety of hardware, and some would argue that PCs have never been at the bottom of the totempole, like their competitor. Whether you prefer one over the other, Apple is certainly not going anywhere but forward into the future. Since the arrival of Steve Jobs, Macintosh has only increased it's sales in the past two years. And not to forget the infamous PC, they do have particular advantages over the Apple computer. If you are looking for an online computer that is easily accessible and easy to maintain, perhaps

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Macintosh is your match. If you are looking for a more business functional network computer, with more game applications, then maybe PC is a good match. If we lived in a fair world, each company would have a 50/50 market share. But since that statement is completely false, each company must work twice as hard to insure

their customers that their product is better than the other, continuing this never ending battle between PC and Macintosh.

"When the Macintosh was introduced in 1984, I had to have it. It was the computer built for the rest of us. Never mind that I could have had everything I needed in a computer--word processing program, a few games, as soon as I sat down in front of the Macintosh, my life changed. The Macintosh, and the entire graphical user interface concept, was truly insanely great." (Insanely Great- The Life and Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything- Steven Levy, p.48)

"Macs seem to appeal most to both absolute beginners and extremely advanced users." (Mac v. Windows: The Sequel). It's probably safe to say that you should never listen to anyone but yourself about how Macs are, or how PCs are, it's your personal opinion on which you believe to work for you in your environment. What one person says Macs can't do and PCs can, could very possibly be the exact opposite. It comes down to the "don't