"Is it a PC or a laptop?"

Pawnless Endgame · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:07

My old IT manager was the first person that I noticed to fall foul of this. He would ask if a particular machine was a PC or a laptop, hoping that people would assume that a "PC" meant a desktop. Laptops can also be PCs if they are IBM-compatibles, if not, then we are talking about a different type of computer and OS. Since my old boss left 12 months ago, I have noticed that the PC/laptop confusion is rearing its ugly head further afield. This is manifesting itself as bad IT vocabulary.

Bad IT vocab is occurring with memory sticks too, by referring to them as a "USB".

Have anyone else noticed this?

Burnsy2023 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:09

Monserrat said:
Laptops can also be PCs if they are IBM-compatibles, if not, then we are talking about a different type of computer and OS.

Laptops are IBM-compatible PCs if they are IBM-Compatible.

PC != WinTel.

An old ZX-81 is still a PC but is neither IBM-compatible nor Windows.

Wicksta · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:14

Burnsy2023 said:
Laptops are IBM-compatible PCs if they are IBM-Compatible.

PC != WinTel.

An old ZX-81 is still a PC but is neither IBM-compatible nor Windows.

A ZX-81 may be a personal computer (note no capitals), but I've never ever heard of it being referred to as a PC before.

As mentioned the most common use for a PC is any IBM compatible computer. Just look at the 'PC Games' section in certain shops and try and find Apple Mac games.

V4NT0M · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:15

Further more it annoys me when you speak to an apple owner and refer to their computer as a PC, they always "correct" you in some condescending way.

PC = Personal computer, any further interpretation is a personal choice.

apatia77 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:16

I would always think of a PC=Desktop and Laptop=Laptop

I also don't get whats wrong with saying USB stick?

alex24 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:19

I think he meant people just saying 'USB'. In context; 'here's that porno I promised you, it's on this USB.'

I always use the desktop/laptop nomenclature, and just ignore Apple machines.

~J~ · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:20

Christ what a subject.

I think it's common sense.

A laptop is a PC/'puter or whatever that you can put on the top of your lap (see the play on words there)

Notebook is a notebook 'cos there's really nowt much there, and it's about the size of a book.

PC in my mind is a computer that is generally running Windows, I wouldn't even say a Mac is a PC, it's a Mac.

ZX81, Spectrum, the general 8bit genre I'd class as a home computer.

A2Z · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:21

PC - running Windows

Burnsy2023 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:21

~J~ said:
PC in my mind is a computer that is generally running Windows

So my machine here running Linux isn't a PC? What is it then?

Wicksta said:
As mentioned the most common use for a PC is any IBM compatible computer.

Common usage doesn't mean it's correct. Like has been said, if it's personal (I.e not a mainframe/server) and it's a computer, then it's a PC.

Caged · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:21

Who honestly cares? It's damned obvious what people mean, that's what context is for. If asked "PC or Laptop" then it's obvious that you're being asked desktop or laptop. If the questions is "PC or Mac" then it's also obvious that one refers to something running Windows and the other is made by Apple.

Burnsy2023 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:23

~J~ said:
PC in my mind is a computer that is generally running Windows, I wouldn't even say a Mac is a PC, it's a Mac.

What about a Macbook running Windows?

People are trying to be anal about a broad term. It simply doesn't work.

bledd · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:25

server
computer
laptop

~J~ · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:25

Burnsy2023 said:
So my machine here running Linux isn't a PC? What is it then?

I still wouldn't class it as a PC, not saying that to take the pee or in a sarcastic manner I have to say

While you'd use it as a PC as such, I'd probably class it as a Linux Box, a Linux Workstation, dunno, just doesn't seem correct classing it as a PC.

Burnsy2023 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:26

~J~ said:
I still wouldn't class it as a PC, not saying that to take the pee or in a sarcastic manner I have to say

While you'd use it as a PC as such, I'd probably class it as a Linux Box, a Linux Workstation, dunno, just doesn't seem correct classing it as a PC.

Bizarre

alex24 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:26

What's more annoying is when people call their desktop PCs their 'hard drive'. That can get confusing on the phone sometimes.

waso_dude · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:37

A2Z said:
PC - running Windows

Or linux or OSX

PC - Personal Computer.

but in context OSX/Apple arn't like to be definded as a pc, just loot at the apple adverts

RobH · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:40

Memory is another one lots of people get confused with, mixing up storage space and RAM. It's easy to see why this has happened though as solid state storage is often called memory in things like MP3 players, cameras phones and memory sticks.

Dark_Angel · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:41

Burnsy2023 said:
So my machine here running Linux isn't a PC? What is it then?

Tormented needlessly?

No I am just kidding, I quite like Linux though haven't used it much.

I personally think a PC as a desktop, a laptop as a umm... well laptop. But that is just me.

Amp34 · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:42

Skyfall said:
Further more it annoys me when you speak to an apple owner and refer to their computer as a PC, they always "correct" you in some condescending way.

PC = Personal computer, any further interpretation is a personal choice.

Definately don't tel iMac users that their iMac is essentially a laptop with a big screen either. They don't like that....

~J~ said:
PC in my mind is a computer that is generally running Windows, I wouldn't even say a Mac is a PC, it's a Mac.

No it's a PC. The only difference between a windows PC (for example) and a Mac is one has windows (generally) and one has OSX (generally). They use exactly the same hardware. In your case I assume a linux based desktop can't be called a PC either? :confused:

Wicksta · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:50

Burnsy2023 said:
Common usage doesn't mean it's correct. Like has been said, if it's personal (I.e not a mainframe/server) and it's a computer, then it's a PC.

Languages evolve by common use of words/phrases.

Are you a gay fag? I do of course mean a happy cigarette.