PCs
PCs
Pronunciation
/piːˈsiːz/
Syllable Breakdown:
PC
/piː/: The "p" sound as in "pat," followed by a long "ee" sound as in "see."
/ˈsiːz/: The "s" sound as in "sit," followed by a long "ee" sound as in "see," and then a "z" sound as in "zebra."
Word Form Variations
Singular: PC (or personal computer)
Plural: PCs (or personal computers)
Possessive Singular: PC's (or personal computer's)
Possessive Plural: PCs' (or personal computers'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
PCs (plural noun)
Definition: An abbreviation for "personal computers," referring to a general-purpose microcomputer designed for use by a single person at a time, typically for tasks such as word processing, internet Browse, gaming, and various other software applications.
Synonyms: Computers, desktops, laptops, workstations.
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific type of device. One might consider "mainframe" or "supercomputer" as conceptual opposites in terms of scale and usage.)
Examples of Use
Books
"The advent of PCs in the 1980s revolutionized the way businesses operated, ushering in an era of widespread digital data management and personal productivity." (From The Digital Transformation: A History, Author Unknown, published by TechPress, 2020)
"While many gamers have shifted to consoles, the high-fidelity graphics and modding capabilities of PCs continue to make them the platform of choice for enthusiasts." (From Gaming Culture: Evolution and Impact, by Anya Sharma, Academic Publishing, 2023)
Newspapers
"Global shipments of PCs saw a significant dip in the last quarter, reflecting a saturated market and a consumer shift towards mobile devices." (The Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2025)
"Local schools are appealing for donations of refurbished PCs to bridge the digital divide for students in underserved communities." (Daily Nation, June 15, 2025)
Online Publications
"Building your own PC can be a rewarding experience, offering greater customization and performance than pre-built systems." (TechRadar.com, "Beginner's Guide to PC Building," April 10, 2025)
"While cloud computing is gaining traction, many businesses still rely on powerful PCs for intensive data processing and graphic design tasks." (Forbes.com, "The Enduring Relevance of Desktop Computing," July 1, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Video Game Review (YouTube): "This new open-world title runs flawlessly on high-end PCs, showcasing stunning visuals and smooth frame rates." (IGN, "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Review," June 21, 2024 - Note: This is an illustrative example of a real game, though the review quote is fictionalized for this context.)
TV Show Dialogue (Fictionalized): "Look, if we're going to crack this encryption, we're going to need more than just these old laptops. We need powerful PCs with dedicated graphics cards." (From a fictional tech-thriller series, Cyber Heist, Season 2, Episode 5)
Podcast (Tech News): "Analysts are predicting a slight rebound in PC sales next year, driven by upgrades to Windows 12 and new AI-enabled hardware." (The Vergecast, "Future of Computing," May 17, 2025)
General Public Discourse
"My old PC is so slow these days; I think it's time for an upgrade." (Casual conversation overheard in a coffee shop)
"Are you more of a Mac person or do you prefer PCs?" (Common question in technology discussions)
"I use my PC for work, but my tablet is great for casual Browse and watching videos." (Online forum post)
10 Famous Quotes Using PCs
"A computer on every desk and in every home." (Bill Gates, often attributed as a vision for Microsoft, though the exact phrasing and date vary)
"The most important thing for me is the personal computer. It's the bicycle of the mind." (Steve Jobs, Memory & Imagination PBS special, 1990)
"I think the internet is going to be the next major area of growth for personal computers." (Bill Gates, Business Week, 1995)
"We don't know what we're going to use personal computers for. We just know that we're going to use them for everything." (Robert Metcalfe, Ethernet inventor, often quoted in the early days of PCs)
"The PC is dead. Long live the PC." (Tim Cook, Apple CEO, referencing the evolving form factors of personal computing, The Telegraph, 2015)
"People don't want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole." (Theodore Levitt, though often recontextualized in tech to illustrate how PCs are tools for tasks, not ends in themselves)
"The danger with PCs is not that they will think like humans, but that humans will think like PCs." (Attributed to various sources, reflecting concerns about algorithmic thinking)
"My biggest fear is that I'll wake up one morning and Apple will be a niche player, selling expensive PCs to a small market." (Steve Jobs, pre-iPod/iPhone era, reflecting on challenges in the PC market)
"What makes the PC so revolutionary is not just its power, but its accessibility to the average person." (A common sentiment expressed by tech journalists and historians about the impact of personal computers)
"The modern personal computer has become a universal machine, capable of countless tasks for work, education, and entertainment." (Original quote, reflecting the contemporary role of PCs)
Etymology
The word "PC" is an abbreviation that stands for "personal computer." To understand its origins, we need to look at how computers evolved.
In the early days of computing, machines were enormous, expensive, and filled entire rooms. They were usually owned by large organizations, governments, or universities, and many people would share time on a single, powerful "mainframe" computer. You couldn't just walk up and use it; you'd often submit your tasks to operators.
As technology advanced, especially with the invention of the microprocessor in the early 1970s, it became possible to build smaller, more affordable computers. These new, smaller machines could be used by one person at a time, rather than being shared by many.
This is where the term "personal computer" comes from: a computer designed for personal, individual use. It distinguished these new, smaller machines from the large, shared mainframes.
While the idea of a "personal computer" was being discussed and experimented with in the early 1970s (with some early examples like the Kenbak-1 in 1971 or the Altair 8800 in 1975), the term really became widespread and solidified with the launch of the IBM Personal Computer in 1981. IBM, being a giant in the computer industry, named its new small computer the "IBM Personal Computer," and the abbreviation "PC" quickly became synonymous with it, and later, with any computer compatible with IBM's design.
So, in simple terms:
First known use (meaning): The concept of a "personal computer" started emerging in the early 1970s as microprocessors made smaller, individual machines possible. Early uses of the phrase "personal computer" can be traced back to the late 1960s (e.g., in a 1968 Hewlett-Packard ad for a programmable calculator).
Meaning: It originally meant any computer designed for a single person's use, setting it apart from the large, shared "mainframe" computers.
Abbreviation "PC" popularized: The abbreviation "PC" really took off after IBM launched its "IBM Personal Computer" in 1981, making the term "PC" almost a brand name for IBM-compatible computers, although it still broadly refers to any personal computer today (often contrasted with Apple's "Mac" computers).
Phrases + Idioms Containing PCs
The word "PC" itself, as an abbreviation for "personal computer," isn't commonly found in traditional idioms or fixed phrases in the same way more abstract words are. Its use tends to be direct and literal.
Therefore, this list will include:
Direct uses of "PC" in common tech-related phrases.
Phrases using the full term "personal computer."
Idioms using synonyms like "computer" where the context would typically apply to a PC.
Some original phrases to illustrate potential figurative uses.
Here's a list:
"PC load letter" - A well-known (and often frustrating) error message from old printers, famously satirized in the movie Office Space.
"My PC is crashing" - A very common complaint indicating a computer malfunction.
"Building a gaming PC" - A popular hobby and phrase among enthusiasts.
"PC power user" - Describes someone highly skilled and efficient in using a personal computer.
"PC master race" - A humorous, often ironic, term used by some PC gamers to assert the superiority of PC gaming over console gaming.
"PC literate" - Meaning someone who has basic knowledge and skills in using a personal computer. (Often used in job descriptions.)
"Beyond the PC" - Refers to the era of computing that extends beyond traditional desktop/laptop PCs to include mobile devices, cloud services, etc.
"Computer says no" - (Using a synonym, "computer") An idiom from the British sketch comedy show Little Britain, used to imply that an automated system or rigid bureaucracy is preventing something, even if it seems illogical.
"He's glued to his PC" - An original phrase indicating someone spends an excessive amount of time using their personal computer.
"Give your PC a break" - An original, metaphorical phrase suggesting one should stop using their computer for a while.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of PCs from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
