Computer

A computer is a machine which manipulates data according to a set of instructions. In the Fallout universe, computers range from simple terminals to Automated Personalities (AP) to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Background
One of the major effects of the timeline divergence is that instead of working to develop supercomputers and miniaturized electronics (in the process creating the first semiconductor, the transistor, in 1947), post-World War II humanity in the Fallout universe invested its technological efforts in further harnessing the atom and robotics. While microchips do exist, they are not uncommon, usually seen among common household items, super computers, and energy weapons alike.

As a result, while computers were developed in the 20th century they are far clunkier than the ones in our world and still use monochromatic, command-line interface UI. The personal computer was developed, but due to these limitations on compactness, most models can only be used to store text files; almost all extremely advanced computers exist as large mainframes which can take up whole rooms. The users access them via terminals. Nonetheless, some mainframes are highly advanced in terms of processing power, such as those capable of running an artificial intelligence.

While the typical 80s and 90s desktop computers are seen as map props in Fallout and Fallout 2, it should be noted that some computers are very advanced. For example; Vault City's central computer is capable of "communication" with voice commands and can reformat/update Pip-Boys via a slot designed for them. It also has the ability to produce an animated (with sound) cartoon animations for its various computation events. Vault City central computer's information: "{103}{}{You see a metal box that is talking to itself in a woman's voice.}" "{104}{}{You see a talking metal box.}" "{105}{}{You see a metal box that is talking to itself in a woman's voice.}" "{166}{}{You see a metal box talking to the air in a woman's voice. The woman must be inside the box! She must be really, really cramped in there.}" "{190}{}{As you replace the panel, however, you suddenly notice a small picture of the Pip Boy located beneath the terminal. Next to the picture is a slot that looks about the size of your Pip Boy.}" "{191}{}{Insert your Pip Boy into the empty slot.}" "{193}{}{As you are about to shamble off, you see the smiling little person from your small blinky Pip Boy under the metal box! He's pointing to an empty space next to him. Maybe he wants to talk to your Pip Boy little person.}" "{194}{}{As you are about to turn away, you suddenly notice a small picture of the Pip Boy located beneath the terminal. Next to the picture is a slot that looks about the size of your Pip Boy.}" "{195}{}{Shove your Pip Boy person hand-held thingee into the slot so they can talk.}}" "{196}{}{Insert your Pip Boy into the empty slot.}" "{198}{}{Boy! The two seem to have a LOT to talk about! They talk in funny words that sound like grinding, beeping, and mantis-chirping. Eventually, there is a beep, and your Pip Boy slides out.}" "{199}{}{Take your Pip Boyeee and leave}" "{200}{}{A small window opens on the terminal screen with a smiling Pip Boy next to it. As you watch, the Pip Boy starts whistling silently and tapping his feet. A red light is flashing beside the computer slot.}" "{201}{}{Wait...}" "{203}{}{An unhealthy grinding noise comes from the Pip Boy slot. The Pip Boy continues to whistle silently and tap his feet.}" "{204}{}{Wait...}" "{206}{}{The Pip Boy suddenly stops and frowns. An exclamation mark appears above his head, and he starts wagging his finger at you. }" "{210}{}{A small display beneath the Pip Boy states that your last scheduled maintenance was 50.352 years ago. The archives are corrupted and need to be "re-formatted." Do you wish to proceed?}" "{211}{}{Uh... sure.}" "{214}{}{Initialization procedure beginning... Reformatting Pip Boy...}" "{216}{}{Wait...}" "{219}{}{ Reformatting Pip Boy...}" "{247}{}{A small window opens on the terminal screen with a smiling Pip Boy next to it. As you watch, the Pip Boy looks right at you, winks, then gives you a thumbs up. A red light is flashing beside the computer slot.}" "{253}{}{The Pip Boy on the screen waves good-bye, and then the screen turns black. The terminal has shut down.}" Also some computers had security devices. Email and touchscreens were invented, as is the case with the Emperor v8.8

Automated personality (AP)
An Automated Personality refers to a computer or a robot created with specific skills and having an automated personality able to speak but only on a preprogrammed set of responses keyed to certain inputs atop a standard operating system. This is achieved using interchangeable computer chips or holotapes that hold different software and can be wired to the AP hardware. They are not able to have logical deduction and reasoning and are less advanced and different than complex AI computers. AP was created in The Sink in the Big MT and appeared only in the Fallout: New Vegas add-on Old World Blues.

Artificial intelligence
In colloquial parlance, Artificial Intelligence refers to a computer or a robot that is "self-aware" – it is capable of not only logical deduction, reasoning and speaking, but knows of its own existence, the possibility of its own mortality (and immortality), and possesses creativity, desire, and, in many cases, emotion. AIs were first created in the United States in 2059. However, due to restraints on memory accessibility, few advances were made in the following years, but these AIs laid the foundation for future research across the country. It would eventually become so commonplace that not only would it be sold on store shelves, it would become common practice for individuals to personalize their product.

The most advanced AI to date, are the synths, specifically the Generation 3 synths. Almost entirely biological and near-perfect clones of humans with the exception of a number of mechanical components inserted during manufacturing, Generation 3 synths are entirely sapient and self aware, with few exceptions.

Mister Handy models, as well as their various derivatives, appear to display some form of self-awareness despite initially being designed as artificial personalities. Examples include Codsworth, Miss Edna and Curie. Both Codsworth and Curie express desire and creativity and even possess their own moral values. Miss Edna even displays romantic attraction.

Simple computers

 * Pip-Boy 2000 (Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics)
 * Terminal (Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4 and Fallout 76)
 * Pip-Boy 3000 (Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Pimp-Boy 3 Billion (Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Pip-Boy 1.0 (Fallout 4)
 * Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV (Fallout 4)
 * Pip-Boy 2000 Mark VI (Fallout 76)
 * Lil' Pip 3000 (Van Buren)
 * Super Pip-Boy (Van Buren)
 * PIP-Pad (Project V13)

Networks

 * Interweb (Fallout)
 * EnclaveNet (Fallout 2)
 * PoseidoNet (Fallout 2, Fallout: New Vegas and Van Buren)
 * Intra-Vault mail (Fallout 3)
 * ArcNet (Fallout 4)
 * Shop-Tec (Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel)

Automated Personalities
Found only in Old World Blues:
 * Biological research station
 * Blind Diode Jefferson
 * Book Chute
 * Light Switch 01
 * Light Switch 02
 * Muggy
 * Stealth suit Mk II
 * Sink
 * Sink Auto-Doc
 * Sink Central Intelligence Unit
 * Toaster

Artificial Intelligences

 * ZAX 1.2 (Fallout)
 * ACE (Fallout 2)
 * Skynet (Fallout 2)
 * John Henry Eden (Fallout 3)
 * M.A.R.Go.T. (Broken Steel)
 * Jane (Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Mr. New Vegas (Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Yes Man (Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Victor (Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Predictive Analytic Machine (Fallout 4)
 * Ada (Automatron)
 * KYE 1.1 (Far Harbor)
 * S.N.O.W. (Creation Club)
 * MAIA (Fallout 76)
 * MODUS (Fallout 76)
 * Project Motherlode (Fallout 76)
 * A.T.H.E.N.A. (Fallout 76)
 * Grafton mayor (Fallout 76)
 * Huntmaster (Fallout 76)
 * Warden (Fallout 76)
 * ZAX 1.3c (Nuclear Winter)
 * CALIX (Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel)
 * ODYSSEUS (Van Buren)
 * ZAX at Boulder Dome (Van Buren)
 * ZAX-29 (Van Buren)

Applications

 * Auto-dictator v223
 * Inlook Email System
 * Integrated Human Resources Management System v2.3
 * Journal-It Software
 * JournalSoft v2.3
 * National Tax Record Tracking System
 * Sten-o-pool 3500 Word Processing System
 * RobCo Trespasser Management System
 * Vault Medical Data System

Games

 * Atomic Command
 * Automatron
 * Captain Cosmos in "Jangles' Big Day"
 * Grognak & the Ruby Ruins
 * Pipfall
 * Red Menace
 * Reign of Grelok
 * Zeta Invaders
 * Wastelad

System software

 * Fenestra '98
 * MaxLock
 * Pip-OS v7.1.0.8
 * Pip98
 * RobCo Industries Termlink (terminal BIOS firmware)
 * Unified Operating System
 * Winblows 57
 * Wyndoze 99