<P> The history of the personal computer as a mass - market consumer electronic device began with the microcomputer revolution of the 1980s . The 1981 launch of the IBM Personal Computer coined both the term Personal Computer and PC . A personal computer is one intended for interactive individual use , , as opposed to a mainframe computer where the end user 's requests are filtered through operating staff , or a time - sharing system in which one large processor is shared by many individuals . After the development of the microprocessor , individual personal computers were low enough in cost that they eventually became affordable consumer goods . Early personal computers -- generally called microcomputers -- were sold often in electronic kit form and in limited numbers , and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians . </P>
<P> The history of the personal computer as a mass - market consumer electronic device began with the microcomputer revolution of the 1980s . The 1981 launch of the IBM Personal Computer coined both the term Personal Computer and PC . A personal computer is one intended for interactive individual use , , as opposed to a mainframe computer where the end user 's requests are filtered through operating staff , or a time - sharing system in which one large processor is shared by many individuals . After the development of the microprocessor , individual personal computers were low enough in cost that they eventually became affordable consumer goods . Early personal computers -- generally called microcomputers -- were sold often in electronic kit form and in limited numbers , and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians . </P>
when was the first personal computer sold to the public
when was the first personal computer sold to the public
1981
1981