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Nothing to do with the article, but about the title: "Apple’s 40% Plunge in PC Shipments..." Historically, I've seen the term "PC" used to refer to Windows mac

Nothing to do with the article, but about the title: "Apple’s 40% Plunge in PC Shipments..." Historically, I've seen the term "PC" used to refer to Windows machines (not that it made much sense.) Has the term "PC" been generalized to also include Macs now?

pjmlp 4y ago
PC started as IBM PC, an alliance between IBM and Microsoft for their respective OSes, of course it made sense.
stametseater 4y ago
The term "personal computer" predates the IBM PC by a few years, and was generally a synonym with "home computer" (which Apple computers also were.) For instance, the TRS-80 was not an "IBM compatible PC", but was advertised as a personal computer. When these terms were new, they weren't yet technical jargon with subtle meanings. "Personal computer" meant simply a computer intended for personal use.
- TuringNYC 4y ago
  That might have been the case at one point, and perhaps again, now, but i've see PCs to not include Macs in common usage for decades. Here is one example directly from Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/tech-tips-and-tricks/pc-vs-mac-the-big-debate.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/tech-tips-and-tricks... Mac* vs. PC: Choose What’s Right for You When it comes to the choice between a Mac or PC, selecting a device that offers the features and flexibility you need is what matters most. Another example: https://woz-u.com/blog/pc-vs-mac-whats-best-for-you/ https://woz-u.com/blog/pc-vs-mac-whats-best-for-you/ PC vs Mac: What’s Best for You? By Woz U|August 4th, 2022|Woz U
  - stametseater 4y ago
    Yes I know, I'm speaking about where the terms came from originally, since you mentioned 'historically.'
  - hbn 4y ago
    I thought a lot of modern people's distinction between PCs and Macs came from Apple's own marketing, like the "get a Mac" ads - "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" With the idea being, "a PC is that old thing you've been using that constantly causes you grief. We're selling you something in an entirely different category."
  - viridian 4y ago
    I think Mac v. PC as a tribal dividing line has largely been replaced by PC v. Phone, given that most of the population no longer interacts with computers outside of work at all any more.
JustSomeNobody 4y ago
PC has always been general (which means it includes Apple computers).

pjmlp 4y ago

PC started as IBM PC, an alliance between IBM and Microsoft for their respective OSes, of course it made sense.

stametseater 4y ago

The term "personal computer" predates the IBM PC by a few years, and was generally a synonym with "home computer" (which Apple computers also were.) For instance, the TRS-80 was not an "IBM compatible PC", but was advertised as a personal computer. When these terms were new, they weren't yet technical jargon with subtle meanings. "Personal computer" meant simply a computer intended for personal use.

TuringNYC 4y ago
That might have been the case at one point, and perhaps again, now, but i've see PCs to not include Macs in common usage for decades. Here is one example directly from Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/tech-tips-and-tricks/pc-vs-mac-the-big-debate.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/tech-tips-and-tricks... Mac* vs. PC: Choose What’s Right for You When it comes to the choice between a Mac or PC, selecting a device that offers the features and flexibility you need is what matters most. Another example: https://woz-u.com/blog/pc-vs-mac-whats-best-for-you/ https://woz-u.com/blog/pc-vs-mac-whats-best-for-you/ PC vs Mac: What’s Best for You? By Woz U|August 4th, 2022|Woz U
- stametseater 4y ago
  Yes I know, I'm speaking about where the terms came from originally, since you mentioned 'historically.'
- hbn 4y ago
  I thought a lot of modern people's distinction between PCs and Macs came from Apple's own marketing, like the "get a Mac" ads - "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" With the idea being, "a PC is that old thing you've been using that constantly causes you grief. We're selling you something in an entirely different category."
- viridian 4y ago
  I think Mac v. PC as a tribal dividing line has largely been replaced by PC v. Phone, given that most of the population no longer interacts with computers outside of work at all any more.

JustSomeNobody 4y ago

PC has always been general (which means it includes Apple computers).