Desktop computer

A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers were designed to lie flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright. Most modern desktop computers have separate screens and keyboards.

Prior to the widespread use of microprocessors, a computer that could fit on a desk was considered remarkably small; the type of computers most commonly used were minicomputers, which were themselves desk-sized. Early personal computers, like the IBM PC, were enclosed in "desktop" cases, horizontally oriented to have the display screen placed on top, thus saving space on the user's actual desk. Over the course of the 1990s, desktop cases gradually became less common than the more-accessible tower cases that may be located on the floor under the desk rather than on a desk.

An all-in-one PC integrates the system's internal components into the same case as the display, allowing for easier portability and a smaller footprint, especially on designs using flat panel displays. Some recent all-in-one models also include touchscreen displays.

Apple has manufactured several popular examples of all-in-one computers, such as the original Macintosh of the mid-1980s and the iMac of the late 1990s and 2000s. This form factor was popular during the early 1980s for computers intended for professional use such as the Kaypro II, Osborne 1, TRS-80 Model II and Compaq Portable. Many manufacturers of home computers like Commodore and Atari included the computer's motherboard into the same enclosure as the keyboard; these systems were most often connected to a television set for display.

Like laptops, some all-in-one desktop computers are characterized by an inability to customize or upgrade internal components, as the systems' cases do not provide easy access except through panels which only expose connectors for RAM or storage device upgrades. However, newer models of all-in-one computers have changed their approach to this issue. Many of the current manufacturers are using standard off-the-shelf components and are designing upgrade convenience into their products.

 When referring to an operating system or GUI, the Desktop is a system of organization of icons on a screen. The Microsoft Windows Desktop was first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and has been included with all versions of Windows since then. Below is a basic example of the Microsoft Windows desktop.

In the above picture, is an example of the Microsoft Windows 95 Desktop. In this picture, there are Desktop icons on the left-hand-side of the window, blue and white clouds for the wallpaper, and the Taskbar is found on the bottom of the screen.

Tip: Press the shortcut key Windows key + D at any time to get to the Windows Desktop.

What icons and items are found on the Windows Desktop?

Some of the most common icons you're likely to find on the Desktop include the My Computer icon, Recycle Bin, your Internet browser icon (e.g. Internet Explorer), and My Documents. On the Windows Desktop, you'll also have access to the Windows Start Menu through the Start button on the Taskbar and the Windows Notification Area.

In some versions of Windows, you may be missing some or all of these icons, you can change what default icons show by following the steps in the below link.