What is a Personal Computer?

The Personal Computer (PC), or any computer, is essentially an information tool. It provides the ability to control the flow of information. With the correct software loaded on a PC, it can meet nearly any information processing need. A motor repair organisation can track work done on customers' cars with a specialised database. A legal firm can search CD-ROM legal archives and prepare briefs using a word processor. A graphic design house can manipulate images with graphics software and an accounting firm can track numbers with spreadsheets. Specialist software exists for almost any market niche, such as software to help kitchen fitters design tailored unit arrangements for kitchens.

The diagram below illustrates just some of the benefits a PC can bring: