This article discusses the early commercial computers that tended to be used in the home rather than for commercial purposes - during the 1980s. This breed of computer largely died out at the end of the decade due to the rise of the IBM PC compatible personal computer.
Home Computer is a consumer-friendly word for the first generation of microcomputers (the techical term that was previously used). The home computer became affordable for the general public due to the development of the silicon chip based microprocessor.
In a manner resembling the expansion of new animal forms in the Cambrian period, large numbers of new machines of all types, including such exotica as the Forth-based Jupiter Ace appeared on the market, and disappeared again. A few types remained for much longer, some, such as the BBC Micro still having a devoted following. However by the end of the decade most were squeezed out between the IBM compatible Personal Computer and the newer generations of video game consoles because they eached used their own incompatible formats. The IBM revolution was caused by the 1981 release of the IBM PC (5150).
Many of these computers were superficially similar, having a usually very cheap-to-manufacture keyboard integrated into the processor unit and displaying output on a home television. Many used compact audio cassettes as a (notoriously unreliable) storage mechanism since floppy disk drives were very expensive at the time. Cheapness was the order of the day for most of these machines.
Most computers employ an operating system which acts as an interface between the operator and the computer's internal hardware devices and central processing unit. Software is any additional application which sits above the operating system to perform a specific task, e.g. wordprocessor.
As many older computers have become obsolete it has become popular amongst enthusiasts to enable one type of computer to emulate another via the use of emulation software. Thus, many of the operating environments for the computers listed below can be recreated on a modern PC.
The home computer was commonly based on 8-bit microprocessor technology, typically the Zilog Z80 or the MOS Technologies 6502. During the 1980s a large variery of 8-bit home computers were designed, but there was also a second wave based on 16-bit microprocessor, like the Motorola 68000.
