x86
Proper noun
Meaning
(computing) Any of a family of instruction set architectures based on that used by the Intel 8086 microprocessor.
Specifically, the 32-bit version of the x86 instruction set architecture.
The x86 version of Windows 7 only supports a maximum of 4 GiB of RAM; 64-bit Windows can support a lot more.
(rare) Specifically, the original, 16-bit version of the x86 instruction set architecture.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgSynonyms
Examples
Today, I use Linux as my primary OS (on an x86 PC, and on a Thinkpad), and I also use Irix (on an SGI O2). Linux has improved a great deal since I wrote this, specifically with respect to its ease of installation.
32-bit Windows 95 followed Windows for Workgroups 3.11 with its lack of support for older, 16-bit x86 processors, thus requiring an Intel 80386 (or compatible).
Also, non-Windows operating systems like Mac OS X and Linux have established a presence on the x86 architecture.
Although none of these business initiatives were particularly successful, the Cobalt purchase gave Sun a toehold for its return to the x86 hardware market.
Although competition appeared early (the first version of WordPerfect debuted in 1982 and Microsoft Word in 1983), WordStar was the dominant word processor on x86 machines until 1985.
As a result of AMD's 64-bit contribution to the x86 lineage and its subsequent acceptance by Intel, the 64-bit RISC architectures ceased to be a threat to the x86 ecosystem and almost disappeared from the workstation market.