A personal computer (often shortened to PC) is a computer designed for use by one person at a time, small enough to fit on or under a desk, and affordable enough for individuals or families to own. Before personal computers existed, computers were massive machines that filled entire rooms, cost millions of dollars, and could only be used by large organizations like universities, governments, or corporations.

The development of the personal computer in the 1970s and 1980s changed the world dramatically. Suddenly, people could write documents, play games, create art, manage their finances, and solve problems right at home. Early personal computers like the Apple II and IBM PC were simpler than today's machines, but they sparked a revolution. Students could type their reports instead of using typewriters. Small business owners could track their inventory without hiring accountants. Programmers could write software in their bedrooms and share it with the world.

Today's personal computers are far more powerful than those early models. They connect to the internet, display high-definition video, run complex games, and store thousands of photos and documents. Whether it's a desktop computer that sits on a table or a laptop you can carry around, a personal computer puts enormous computing power in your hands. The smartphone in your pocket is actually a type of personal computer too, with more processing power than the computers that helped land astronauts on the Moon.