Kotitietokone

Kotitietokone, Finnish for "home computer", refers to personal computers that became widely accessible and affordable for home use, particularly during the late 1970s and 1980s. This era saw a significant shift from large, expensive mainframe computers primarily used by institutions to smaller, user-friendly machines suitable for individuals and families.

The rise of the kotitietokone was driven by technological advancements in microprocessors and decreasing manufacturing costs. Early models like the Commodore PET, Apple II, and TRS-80 paved the way for a new market. These machines, while less powerful than today's computers, offered functionalities like word processing, basic programming, and games, making them attractive for educational and recreational purposes.

In Finland, the adoption of kotitietokone paralleled global trends. Families and educational institutions acquired these devices, fostering digital literacy and introducing a generation to computing. The availability of software, often distributed on cassette tapes or floppy disks, further fueled their popularity. The concept of the kotitietokone laid the groundwork for the ubiquitous personal computing we experience today.