The United States personal computer market is one of the most important markets for manufacturers worldwide. The market is vast, but the competition is huge and stakes involved are high. The USA has one of the highest penetration rates in the world and many homes now have a personal computer. It is getting saturated by the day, but there is still a large population waiting to buy their first computer.

The major players in the USA PC market are Compaq ( now a HP subsidiary), Dell, Apple, Toshiba and Gateway. Dell and Compaq-HP have fought a long and hard battle for the market leaders' position and at this moment, Dell holds an edge over its rival.

According to data available in the Census, the states of Utah, Alaska and New Hampshire in that order, have the highest PC penetration in the USA.

So Where Do Sparta and Illinois figure in the Scheme of things?

Many avid gamers will first associate Sparta with a PC game on ancient civilizations that they would have played. Some people might also remember Sparta as a location for a World Press Color Inc plant. The name in mention is one of the largest companies in the field of management and distribution of print and digital information in the States.

Sparta, situated in Randolph County, Illinois, has a population of about 5000 + people according to the last census. Close to three quarters of the population is below the age of 55, which therefore means that the population demographics are in favor of the manufacturers. And in the age that we are living in, senior citizens are also taking to computers in a big way, which is still better news for the manufacturers.