Cultural Artifact, Essay Example

It could be argued that the invention and mass-marketing of desktop computers triggered the industrial revolution at the end of the 20^th century. Desktop computers were the earliest forms of computing machines that were embraced by both businesses and private households at a massive scale. Desktop computers were usually comprised of four individual components which were monitor, motherboard, keyboard, and mouse. Monitor displayed the information while motherboard served as the brain of the whole system since it processed information and ran software. Keyboard would be used to enter data input while mouse, the smallest component, enhanced the user experience by making it easier to navigate through programs.

Desktop computers would be manufactured by several brands. Some brands would manufacture the entire desktop computer system while others would specialize in individual hardware components such as monitors and mouse. The hardware components would have brand logo and company name prominently displayed in plain sight. The desktop computers would mostly come preloaded with operating system of which Microsoft Windows was the most popular. The price of the operating system would be included in the purchase price of desktop computers.

Desktop computers because popular because they offered a promise to significantly speed up the pace of technological progress. Desktop computers had applications in almost all aspects of private and professional lives. They allowed business to improve their operating efficiency by making it cheaper and faster to store data and analyze them. Desktop computers also made it possible to crunch large amounts of data quickly, saving significant time and efforts in the process.

Part of the reason desktop computers were widely embraced might also have been group mentality. Computers were being heralded as the gateway to the future, thus, even those with low computer proficiency had to have it for the sake of keeping up with the Joneses. Parents were also concerned that not having desktop computer at home may deprive their children of valuable learning opportunity. Thus, desktop computers were embraced for both real expected benefits as well as perceived benefits.

Desktop computers also became a commodity because they were the first hardware equipment with internet capability. Even though more portable forms of computer had emerged before the end of the 20^th century, they remained relatively expensive and behind in technological performancefor some time. Desktop computers also suited those with special needs such as large thumbs or vision impairment since desktop computers would have larger monitors than portable computer devices such as notebook computers.

As usually happens with most technologies, prices of desktop computers eventually started declining, making them affordable for even low income groups. Training centers started offering courses and home-based learning programs. In addition, desktop computers also started replacing other lifestyle products such as gaming and video entertainment devices, thus, increasing their economical appeal.

Desktop computers were one of the earliest digital technologytools that changed the economics of several industries that were initially unrelated to the computing sector. Desktop computers triggered mankind’s journey towards globalization because they became the first enabler of internet technologies. Over time, their size became their greatest enemy and moreover, technological performance in other computing devices caught up. Desktop computers started dying a slow death by the end of the first decade in the 21^st century.