Why has the term "microcomputing" been used less and less since 1986-87 (ngram)?
What term has replaced the term "microcomputing" since 1986?
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Why do you assume it has been replaced? When technology goes out of use, it quite typically takes its name down with it.– RegDwigнt ♦Sep 25, 2013 at 12:31
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2The term "personal computer" replaced micro-computing..– Sweet72Sep 25, 2013 at 12:43
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1 Answer
In the early days of computers, computers were huge machines that filled gymnasium-sized rooms. Over time, they got smaller until a market segment of computers that could sit on a desk appeared. Those computers were called microcomputers.
Eventually, all computers were miniaturized to the same scale; "mainframe" computers were just slightly bigger, more expensive micros. There was no longer a need to distinguish between microcomputers and any other kind of computer so the micro- prefix disappeared.
As for what "replaced" it, the various other computer terms have replaced it. Microcomputing is just computing with a computer.
answered Sep 25, 2013 at 12:33
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1A desk-top sized micro-computer was no longer so micro when an iphone sized smart phone now has more computing power.– bibSep 25, 2013 at 13:02
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There also used to be a class of "minicomputers" between mainframe and micro.– MSaltersSep 25, 2013 at 14:26
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1@bib an iphone has more computing power than any "microcomputer" ever did, but my desktop computer is still way faster than any iphone. Sep 25, 2013 at 16:36