Select hundred people randomly and ask each one of them what the biggest invention of the century is and quite surely, more than ninety percent of them will say that it is the invention of computer. Just think how significantly computers have contributed to the rapid development in global technology. Computers have benefited us in all possible spheres of life. From mere clerical jobs to the making of million dollar movies, computers are bound to be used in each and every activity that takes place in today's world. The first personal computer was invented in 1970 and since then, there have been constant developments in the field of computers and now, almost all homes in the urban world have a PC to flaunt.

The factors which have made computers a success are definitely speed, accuracy, data storage and multi tasking. How much time does it take for you to communicate with someone sitting in a different continent of the world using a computer? The answer will be not more than 5 seconds. You can say that it is possible more because of the internet but computer and internet is largely interdependent on each other. Even for performing complex calculations, computer hardly takes a noticeable amount of time. Computer has also enabled storing large quantity of data in a digital format to make things more convenient for us. Not a single big organization in the world can now think of operating without using computers. The progress that has taken place in businesses and economies worldwide in recent years wouldn't have been possible without computers.

There isn't a single machine invented till date having so many multiple uses. Be it education, entertainment, business or communication, for whatever purpose you want to use a computer, it will successfully satisfy you. The advent of portable computers has made things better for us. Nowadays, there are various types of computers which we may choose from according to our needs and requirements.

Desktop models are the most commonly used computers worldwide. A desktop model computer normally comprises of a CPU, monitor, USP, mouse and keyboard. It is called desktop because it can be fitted on the top of a desk easily. The main disadvantage of a desktop computer is the lack of mobility. To solve this problem, IBM came up with the first ever Laptop in 1986. Laptops are compact computers weighing extremely light and small in size which can be taken places. Laptop computers are nowadays referred to as Notebooks and they are constantly becoming popular worldwide. One can do the same work in a notebook which he/she does in a desktop computer but at the same time it is possible to carry a notebook to any place as it hardly weighs more than 6 pounds.

Other specialized laptops are also built nowadays which are meant for specific purposes. For example, laptops that are made only for the objective of internet browsing are called Netbooks. These are even lighter and smaller forms of computers. Many other innovations are also happening and you can also have devices like Palmtops or PDAs which are very much fall under different types of computers but their functions are limited to a certain extent.