Desktop computer

A desktop computer system. It has a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and a computer tower. The computer tower contains the motherboard and processor.
A computer lab with desktop PCs with flat-panel monitors

A desktop computer (often abbreviated desktop[1]) is a personal computer designed for regular use at a stationary location on or near a desk (as opposed to a portable computer) due to its size and power requirements. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard (a printed circuit board with a microprocessor as the central processing unit, memory, bus, certain peripherals and other electronic components), disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives, solid state drives, optical disc drives, and in early models a floppy disk drive); a keyboard and mouse for input; and a monitor, speakers, and, often, a printer for output. The case may be oriented horizontally or vertically and placed either underneath, beside, or on top of a desk.

Desktop computers with their cases oriented vertically are referred to as towers. As the majority of cases offered since the mid-1990s are in this form factor, the term desktop has been retronymically used to refer to modern cases offered in the traditional horizontal orientation.[2][3]

  1. ^ "desktop". Collins Dictionary. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  2. ^ Dennen, Ed (July 18, 1994). "How can it be a desktop if it isn't on top of the desk?". PC Week. 11 (28). Ziff-Davis: 69 – via Gale.
  3. ^ Prowse, David (2015). CompTIA A+ 220-901 and 220-902 Exam Cram. Pearson Education. p. 201. ISBN 9780134391496 – via Google Books.