Wasn’t ‘home computer’ the generally used term before the IBM 5150 ?

wumpus · on July 18, 2021

I don't think so. Comparing use of these terms in books:

https://books.archivelab.org/dateviz/?q=home+computer

https://books.archivelab.org/dateviz/?q=personal+computer

Personal computer was used a lot more when books were eventually written about the era.

jen20 · on July 19, 2021

As far as I'm aware, the UK the phrase "microcomputer" (or simply "micro") was used before IBM-compatible machines.

reaperducer · on July 19, 2021

Wasn’t ‘home computer’ the generally used term before the IBM 5150 ?

"Home computer" was things like the VIC-20 and the TI-99 4/A. "Personal Computer" was machines that you had in your home or office that you didn't have to share, or timeshare with someone else. Think Cromemco, Kaypro, PET, and SuperBrain.