The first personal computer, also known as the PC, was built in 1971 by a company called Micral. This French company created the Micral N, which was the first computer designed for personal use. It was a small, single board computer that used Intel’s 8008 processor and ran on 8 kilobytes of memory. The Micral N was also the first computer to use a microprocessor, which made it significantly smaller and more accessible to the average person.

In 1975, the Altair 8800 was released by MITS, which is often considered the first personal computer in the United States. It used Intel’s 8080 processor and was sold as a build-it-yourself kit. The Altair 8800 was a significant milestone in the history of personal computers, as it was the first to receive widespread attention and popularity from hobbyists and enthusiasts.

However, it was not until 1981 that the first truly mass-produced personal computer was released. The IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC) was a huge success, and it set the standard for personal computers to come. The IBM PC used an Intel 8088 processor and was initially shipped with 16 kilobytes of memory. It also had an operating system called MS-DOS, which was created by Microsoft and became the industry standard for many years.

The first personal computers were significantly different from the ones we use today. They were large, bulky, and often required extensive hardware knowledge to operate. They lacked the graphical user interfaces and touch screen capabilities found in modern laptops and desktops. Moreover, the original PCs often had monochrome displays, making them difficult to read for extended periods.

Today’s personal computers are much more user-friendly, streamlined, and powerful than their predecessors. Modern PCs typically use multi-core processors and can have several gigabytes of RAM, making them capable of running multiple applications at once. They also have high-definition displays, touch screen and/or trackpad interfaces, built-in webcams and microphones, and other advanced features that make them more versatile and convenient for daily use.

In conclusion, the first personal computers were built in the early 1970s by Micral and MITS. These early computers were relatively primitive by modern standards but paved the way for the development of personal computing as we know it today. With increasingly powerful chipsets, advanced software, and cutting-edge hardware, personal computers have changed significantly since their inception. However, one thing remains unchanged. The personal computer remains an essential tool for work, communication, and leisure, and is still revolutionizing the way we live and work.