After about twenty years of personal computing we now have a vast number of computer available to use. In general the modern personal computer is a:

High Powered System

Capable of linking to a High Capacity Network

With Sophisticated Graphics

Sound

Colour

Today's systems start at around £500 (Rm 3,100) and run up to £2,500 (Rm 15,750). With a printer, modem and an Internet connection working systems for home use, found in middle class families though out the developed world, are available for a starting price of about £650 (Rm 4,000).

But what do these systems  actually do ? Most people do not use their personal computers to do software development or build Web sites. Most personal computers perform simple tasks:

Word Processing  (and spell checking)

Spreadsheet

Database work

Complex E-mail and the Internet

Games

How does this compare with the systems from a few years ago ?  Well it is useful to look at The History of Personal Computing