The term PC has taken on two meanings in the realm of computers, and while they are related, they have exclusive definitions.
MAC: Measurement and Analysis Center: MAC: Maritime Area Commander: MAC: Maintenance Availability Computer: MAC: Multiple Access Contract: MAC: Multi-Sensor Air Campaign: MAC: Magnetic Anomaly Concealment: MAC: Chief Machine Accountant (naval rating) MAC: Material Accounting Center: MAC: Mortuary Affairs Coordinator: MAC: Multi-Static Active. $1,000 Apple Mac Pro display stand sparks anger: 'The ultimate middle finger' The price of Apple's Pro Stand, unveiled at WWDC, sends the internet into sticker shock. In the strictest definition, a Mac is a PC because PC stands for personal computer. However, in everyday use, the term PC typically refers to a computer running the Windows operating system, not the operating system made by Apple. So, how does a Mac differ from a Windows-based PC? PC or Mac and PC?
Originally, PC was an abbreviation for 'Personal Computer.' In this context, any computer designed for personal use by a person can be considered a PC or a personal computer. Computers used in the home or the office are considered personal computers. By this definition, a Mac computer is a PC. A Mac is designed for personal use and is a computer, so that makes it is a PC.
However, when IBM introduced their first computer in August 1981, model number 5150, the term PC became something more specific. From that point on, the PC became a reference to IBM-compatible computers. Today, when PC is used to talk about a computer, it usually is referring to an IBM-compatible computer. By this definition, a Mac computer is not a PC, as it is not IBM-compatible.
The MAC address (short for media access control address) is the worldwide unique hardware address of a single network adapter. The physical address is used to identify a device in computer networks. Since MAC addresses are assigned directly by the hardware manufacturer, they are also referred to as hardware addresses.
PC is still an abbreviation for personal computer at times, however, in most cases it is referring to the IBM-compatible type of computer. While a Mac is considered a personal computer, it is not a 'PC' in the specific sense that it doesn't run Microsoft Windows.
Additional information
- See our Mac and PC definitions for further information on each of these terms.
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Technology changes so quickly that it's often hard to keep up or stay current. But here's one small business networking question that's as relevant today as it was 6 years ago, and it keeps coming up year after year: What's a MAC address and how can I find it?
Our small business networking expert fields a reader's question about a MAC address, and he shows you how to find it on a Windows XP desktop PC or a notebook PC.
How to Find a Mac Address on a Windows XP Desktop PC or a Notebook PC | |
| • Click on START, and then click on RUN | |
| • The RUN dialogue box will appear. Type CMD and press ENTER | |
| • A DOS window will appear. This is also commonly called a Command Prompt | |
| • Now type IPCONFIG /ALL at the command prompt and hit ENTER. This window will now display the configuration of all of your network adapters. If you have multiple network adapters in your PC you'll see multiple addresses. The MAC Address you're looking for will be listed under the heading Ethernet Adapter Wireless Network Connection | |
| • Now look for the Physical Address. It should look something like 00-50-BA-D1-BA-71 | |
| • To close the window when you are finished, type EXIT at the command prompt and hit the ENTER key |
A Reader Asks: What's a MAC Address?
A while back I saw an article of yours that described how to properly set up a secure wireless network. Based on that, I replaced my aging router with a new wireless router, and I implemented all of your security suggestions. I'm using WEP with 256-bit encryption, and I'm not broadcasting my SSID.
My router also offers something called MAC address filtering. According to the documentation, this would restrict access to the network to only the PCs that have been registered with the router. So even if someone managed to get my WEP key, they still wouldn't be able to connect to my network.
I know what my IP address is and tried using that, but it didn't work. Exactly what is a MAC address, and how do I find it?
Our Small Business Networking Expert Explains 'MAC Address'
MAC is an acronym and stands for Media Access Control. The MAC address (also known as the physical address) is your computer's unique hardware number. When you're connected to the Internet from your computer (or the 'host'), a correspondence table relates your IP address to your computer's physical (MAC) address on the LAN. This is how the router knows where to send IP packets destined for your system.
On a PC or a laptop with an integrated network adapter, you need to find it using software. The process is almost identical to the utility you use to see your systems IP address. On a Windows 2000 or Windows XP machine you would use IPCONFIG. To see the MAC address, you need to add /ALL to the command.
See the bulleted box for step-by-step instructions for finding your MAC Address on a Windows XP note book or desktop PC.
Ronald V. Pacchiano is a systems integrator and technology specialist with expertise in Windows server management, desktop support and network administration. He is also an accomplished technology journalist and a contributing writer for Small Business Computing.
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What Is Mac Stands For In Computer Language
This article was originally published on March 23, 2011
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