Computer

A computer is a machine which manipulates data according to a set of instructions. In the Fallout world, computers range from simple terminals to full blown Artificial Intelligences (or AIs).

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.

As a result, computers are far clunkier than the ones in our world and most still use monochromatic, text-based displays. The personal computer was never developed due to these limitations on compactness, and all 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 capabable of running an artificial intelligence.

It should be noted, however, that typical 80's/90's desktop computers are seen as map props in Fallout 1 and 2.

Artificial Intelligence
In colloquial parlance, Artificial Intelligence refers to a computer that is "self-aware" - it is capable of not only logical deduction and reasoning, but knows of its own existence, the possibility of its own mortality (and immortality), and possesses creativity, desire, and, in many cases, emotion. Several AIs have appeared in the Fallout games.

Simple computers

 * Pip-Boy 2000 (Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics)
 * Terminal (Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Pip-Boy 3000 (Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas)
 * Lil' Pip 3000 (Van Buren)
 * Super PIP Boy (Van Buren)

Networks

 * Shop-Tec (Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel)

Artificial Intelligences

 * ZAX (Fallout)
 * ACE (Fallout 2)
 * Skynet (Fallout 2)
 * Calculator (Fallout Tactics)
 * John Henry Eden (Fallout 3)
 * M.A.R.Go.T. (Fallout 3 add-on Broken Steel)
 * Mr. New Vegas (Fallout: New Vegas)
 * CALIX (Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel)
 * Diana (Van Buren)
 * ODYSSEUS (Van Buren)
 * ZAX at Boulder Dome (Van Buren)
 * ZAX-29 (Van Buren)
 * Gaston Glock (mentioned-only)

Software

 * Journal-It Software
 * Softlock Solutions, Inc - locking software
 * Robco Trespasser Management System
 * Reign of Grelok [beta]
 * Unified Operating System
 * Robco Termlink (Terminal BIOS firmware)

Data