r/computing • u/ipadtherefor • 14h ago

When did the term microcomputer finally go away?

When was the turning point from toy or hobby to necessary utility or tool?

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u/Slinkwyde 13h ago

I don't know about the question in your title, but the VisiCalc spreadsheet program is considered the Apple ||'s killer app, and got a lot of people to buy the machine for serious business use rather than just an electronics hobby.

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u/PandemicVirus 12h ago

It peaked in ~1986 and declined since. I'd say within ten years of that time it was only used archaically.

The home computer became far more common in this period, consumers aren't going to say "microcomputer" they'll just say computer. Shifts from dummy terminals to stand alone workstations accomplishing more tasks also became prevalent, the "computer" shifted from a basement to the actual desktop so the mini aspect faded away.