Desktop PC

Desktop PC, also known as a ëDesktop Personal Computerí, is a micro-computing device which has been designed to be used by individuals. It is made for use on a desk in office or at home and is essentially not mobile. Hence it is different from portable computers such as laptops or PDAs. Desktop PCs are the most widely used computers and are very affordable.

Desktop PCs are very versatile and are used for organizing digital photos, performing office tasks, video editing, and Internet access. They are also used for general purpose tasks like word processing, Internet browsing, Internet faxing, e-mail and other digital messaging, multimedia playback, computer game play, computer programming, etc. High-end desktop PCs are used by gamers, 3-D artists and video artists.

Nearly all desktop PCs have a modular structure and are made from components which can be easily upgraded or replaced. Typical components of the desktop PC include processor, cooling fan(s), motherboard, HDD(s), ODD(s), RAM, graphics card, physics card, sound card, speaker set, modem, network card, power supply unit, FDD, keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.

Sometimes the term "PC" is used exclusively for Windows-based computers, however this is incorrect as a Macintosh running Mac OS, or an IBM compatible PC running Linux, are also personal computers.