• Home computer.notebook pc image by Albo from Fotolia.com
  
  Personal Computers (PCs) have become a staple device in homes. From "box" computers to laptops to new tablet PCs, computers have almost overtaken the television as the most important home-electronic device. According to Cisco.com "Over the next decade, Internet access will conservatively reach one-fifth of the planet." That was in 2001. Today, according to internetworldstats.com, 25.6 percent of the world's population has Internet access.
  
  

Styles of Home Computers

• Computers make us happy.computer image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com
  
  Home computers come in all shapes and sizes. Many computers come in multiple pieces, with a box that holds the computer attached with cables to a monitor. Older monitors are boxy; new monitors are thin, called "flat screens." Another style of computer is the laptop. These fold closed for easy transportation and commonly come with wireless capability pre-installed. Even newer are netbooks and tablet-style computers. Netbooks are similar to laptops, but usually have smaller hard drives and faster processors, optimized for wireless web-surfing. Tablet computers are even smaller, like a thick clipboard. They have touch-screens that allow greater interactivity between user and computer, resulting in a more organic computing experience.
  
  

Brands of Computers

• Home computers = many brands.Computer image by Altmann from Fotolia.com
  
  There are dozens of brands of computers, but several have been around for as long as computers have. Some of these are used in the home, such as Acer (bought out eMachines and Gateway), Apple, Asus, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba.
  
  

Operating Systems in the Home

• Which OS is for you?laptop computer image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  The most popular home Operating System (OS) is Microsoft Windows. According to w3schools.com, Windows XP still accounts for about 60 percent of computers in the U.S. Vista and Windows7 own another 25 percent. The remaining 15 percent is taken by Macintosh and Linux, who have been taking a larger percentage of the market in recent years.
  
  The Mac OS is the most expensive, but has an excellent reputation for quality and stability. Microsoft owns the largest share of the market and is best known for its founder Bill Gates. Linux, relatively unknown, continues to grow due to its constant innovation and dedication to the perfect price tag (free).