Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
The first machine advertised as a “personal computer” was the Hewlett-Packard 9100A, a
40-pound programmable desktop electronic calculator released in 1968. Advertisements for
the $4,900 system called it “the new Hewlett-Packard 9100A personal computer.” The end
of the ad stated, “If you are still skeptical, or of faint heart, ask for a demonstration. It will
affirm, assure (and only slightly delay) your entry into the solid-state of personal computing
power.” (See
www.vintagecalculators.com
.
)
The reality today is that although IBM clearly designed and created the PC in 1981 and
controlled the development and evolution of the PC standard for several years thereafter,
IBM is no longer in control of the PC standard; that is, it does not dictate what makes
up a PC today. IBM lost control of the PC standard in 1987 when it introduced its PS/2
line of systems. Up until then, other companies that were producing PCs literally copied
IBM's systems right down to the chips, connectors, and even the shapes (form factors) of
the boards, cases, and power supplies. After 1987, IBM abandoned many of the standards
itcreatedinthefirstplace,andthedesignation“IBMcompatible”startedtobeconsidered
obsolete.
If a PC is no longer considered an IBM-compatible system, what is it? The real question
seems to be, “Who is in control of the PC standard today?” That question is best broken
down into two parts. First, who is in control of PC software? Second, who is in control of
PC hardware?
Who Controls PC Software?
Most of the people in my seminars don't hesitate for a split second when I ask this ques-
tion;theyimmediatelyrespond,“Microsoft!”Idon'tthinkthereisanyargumentwiththat.
Microsoftclearlycontrolsthedominantoperatingsystems(OSs)usedonPCs,whichhave
evolved from the original MS-DOS to DOS/Windows 3.x, then to Windows 9x/Me, then
to Windows NT/2000/XP, and now to Windows Vista/7.
Microsoft has effectively used its control of the PC OSs as leverage to also control other
typesofPCsoftware,suchasdrivers,utilities,andapplications.Forexample,manyutility
programs originally offered by independent companies, such as disk caching, disk com-
pression,filedefragmentation,filestructurerepair,firewalls,andevensimpleapplications
such as calculator and notepad programs, are now bundled in Windows. Microsoft has
even bundled more comprehensive applications such as web browsers, word processors,
and media players, ensuring an automatic installed base for these applications—much to
the dismay of companies who produce competing versions. Microsoft has also leveraged
itscontroloftheOStointegrateitsownnetworkingsoftwareandapplicationssuitesmore
seamlessly into the OS than others. That's why it now dominates most of the PC software
