My understanding is that anyone with a computer can download a Bitcoin client such as Bitcoin Core, and then they can interact with the Bitcoin network: accept Bitcoin, pay Bitcoin, and view the state of the network (and unlike when using an exchange, fully control their own secret keys).
I also understand that operating such a client requires a full copy of the blockchain, which is ~100 GB at this point. This seems like a truckload of space for a typical personal computer. For example, my MacBook Air from a few years ago has 120 GB total, of which I have only 20 GB remaining.
1) Is my understanding of the situation correct?
2) Is it typical for people get separate computers to use specifically for operating their Bitcoin client (so they don't use almost all the space on their main personal computer)?