IBM-compatible PC

An IBM PC (often shortened to PC) is the term used for a personal computer which is compatible with the IBM line of personal computers (in the sense of 'it will run all the software for the IBM personal computer'). IBM no longer makes PCs, but the terminology persists.

Compaq was the first company to make a machine which could run any and all software for the actual IBM PC. Nowadays, other than personal computers from Apple, essentially all personal computers follow the IBM PC standard.

The first IBM PC was the IBM 5150.