Home computer

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CoCo3system

Home or Personal Computers from 1977 - Commodore PET 2001, Apple II, TRS-80 Model I, together called 'Trinity77' (edited image)

Mary Allen Wilkes - LINC at Home - 1965

Altair 8800 Computer

Home computer refers to a class of microcomputers that emerged in the late 1970s and became popular in the 1980s. These computers were marketed for household use, offering capabilities for programming, video games, basic office productivity, and later, internet access. Unlike their predecessors, which were primarily used in business and academic settings, home computers were designed to be affordable and accessible to the general public.

History

The concept of the home computer took shape with the advent of microprocessors in the early 1970s. Early examples include the Altair 8800 and Apple I, which, while influential, were more kit-based and hobbyist-oriented. The release of the Commodore VIC-20 and the Commodore 64 in the early 1980s marked a significant milestone in making computing accessible to the masses. These computers, along with the Apple II, ZX Spectrum, and Atari 800, defined the home computer era.

Features

Home computers typically featured a keyboard for input, a connection to a television or dedicated monitor for output, and a range of storage options, from cassette tapes to floppy disks. They ran on proprietary operating systems and were capable of running various software programs for education, entertainment, and productivity. The ability to program in languages such as BASIC was a common feature, encouraging users to learn programming skills.

Impact

The widespread adoption of home computers in the 1980s is credited with familiarizing the general public with computing technology, laying the groundwork for the personal computing revolution. They played a crucial role in the development of the video game industry, with many iconic games and franchises originating on these platforms. Additionally, home computers fostered an early culture of software development and hacking, contributing to the growth of the IT industry.

Decline

By the early 1990s, the distinction between home computers and more powerful personal computers (PCs) began to blur. Advances in PC technology, along with the standardization around the IBM PC compatible platform and the rise of the Windows operating system, led to the decline of the traditional home computer market. Today, the legacy of home computers lives on through emulation, retro computing communities, and the influence they had on modern computing devices and culture.

See Also

• Microcomputer
• Personal Computer
• Video Game Console
• Computer Programming
• Internet

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