A personal computer (PC) is a microcomputer whose price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals. The term was popularized by Byte magazine, as well as Apple Computer with the Apple II in the late-1970s and early-1980s, and afterwards by IBM with the IBM Personal Computer.[citation needed] Personal computers are also known as home computers. Often, the term "Personal Computer" is used exclusively for computers running a Microsoft Windows operating system, but this is erroneous. For example, a Macintosh running Mac OS and an IBM PC compatible running Linux are both personal computers.
This confusion stems from the fact that the term "PC" is often used as a shorthand form for "IBM PC compatible" and historically Mac OS has run on non-IBM compatible hardware like the PowerPC architecture.
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