mp v/s microcomputer

[jasneetsingh]

whats the basic difference between a microcomputer and microprocessor :?:

 

[rizzo]

A microprocessor is a CPU, i.e. the "brain" of a computer. A microcomputer is a chip conteining both the CPU and some peripherals (I/O, memory, timers...)
The Pentium (or his ancestor 8080) is a CPU. The PICs are microcomputers.

 

[isaacj]

microprocessor - the chips made by Intel, AMD, Motorola, IBM, etc. etc. such as the x86 family (Pentium, Athlon, C3), 68k, PPC, Power4.

microcomputer - a complete system containing a microprocessor, memory, I/O, peripherals. Your desktop system is but one example.

microcontroller - a subset of microcomputers containing a complete system on one chip. PICs, AVRs, 8051s, H8s, are all examples.