Personal Computers are ubiquitous tools. As of 2014, there were almost 2 billion Personal Computers being used around the world.

That number has likely increased steadily since then. ‘Personal Computer’ is a rather broad umbrella term. Here are some of the kinds of PC that make up that wide technological classification.

All in One

All in one, computers integrate all of the components – minus the keyboard and mouse – of a personal computing hardware setup into one case. This means that there is no desktop ‘tower’ that needs to be connected to a monitor to make the computer usable. Apple computers are still designed in this way. The benefits of an all-in-one computer are largely spatial and aesthetic. All in one, PCs take up very little space. They are popular in office spaces, where they allow for a less cluttered environment to be nurtured. Unfortunately, these computers usually come with a hefty price tag. They cannot usually be upgraded easily by the user and suffer from slightly diminished performance compared to conventional desktops of similar price.

Laptop

The laptop computer has been a truly epoch-defining technological innovation. Laptops have largely eclipsed desktops when it comes to domestic use. Traditionally designed with a clamshell-type folding screen and keyboard, laptop computers are not usually very powerful. What they are, however, is portable and convenient. A laptop fits snugly into a rucksack on its way to school, work, or a café. It is highly likely that you are reading this article on a laptop right now.

Laptops have been around longer than you might imagine. The first truly recognizable laptop was the Osborne 1. Developed by Adam Osborne in 1981, it weighed roughly 11 kilograms and had a tiny 5-inch screen. Osborne’s humble invention was revolutionary. The miniaturization of electronic components in the 21^st Century allowed for the basic design to be constantly improved. Companies like Lenovo produce millions of laptops each year, with even the cheapest models being adequate for most day-to-day computing tasks.

Gaming Desktop

As well as producing laptops, Lenovo is one of the companies that has been investing heavily in the development of gaming PCs in recent years. The rise of competitive PvP gaming and Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games has led to a growing demand for high-performance Personal Computers. In the past, gamers had to build their own high-performance rigs. Large established tech brands, noticing this trend in the market, have stepped in to offer their own pre-assembled gaming computers.

Compact Business Desktop

Like the all-in-one personal computer, the compact business desktop was developed to save space. In offices, you’ll often see row upon row of these diminutive desktops lining the desks. These machines are not very powerful – but they don’t need to be. The users of these computers are only expected to need a predetermined selection of programs, so the necessary performance is easy to calculate for business owners. Compact business desktops are cheap, small, and can often be purchased as a ‘fleet’ by organizations looking to provide their workforce with computing power.