26.11.2021, 07:28 Computer Basics: What is a Computer?

Computer Basics
What is a Computer?

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the
ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a
computer to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. You can
also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.

Watch the video below to learn about different types of computers.

Computer Basics: What Is a Computer?

Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.

Hardware vs. software

Before we talk about different types of computers, let's talk about two things all
computers have in common: hardware and software.

▶︎ Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such
as the keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal
parts, which you can see in the image below.

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▶︎ Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and
how to do it. Examples of software include web browsers, games, and word
processors.

Everything you do on your computer will rely on both hardware and software. For
example, right now you may be viewing this lesson in a web browser (software) and
using your mouse (hardware) to click from page to page. As you learn about different
types of computers, ask yourself about the differences in their hardware. As you
progress through this tutorial, you'll see that different types of computers also often use
different types of software.

What are the different types of

computers?
When most people hear the word computer, they think of a personal computer such as
a desktop or laptop. However, computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they
perform many different functions in our daily lives. When you withdraw cash from an
ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, you're using a type of computer.

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Desktop computers

Many people use desktop computers at work, home, and school. Desktop computers
are designed to be placed on a desk, and they're typically made up of a few different
parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Laptop computers

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The second type of computer you may be familiar with is a laptop computer, commonly
called a laptop. Laptops are battery-powered computers that are more portable than
desktops, allowing you to use them almost anywhere.

Tablet computers

Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more portable
than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for
typing and navigation. The iPad is an example of a tablet.

Servers

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A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network. For

example, whenever you use the Internet, you're looking at something that's stored on a
server. Many businesses also use local file servers to store and share files internally.

Other types of computers

Many of today's electronics are basically specialized computers, though we don't
always think of them that way. Here are a few common examples.

▶︎ Smartphones: Many cell phones can do a lot of things computers can do,
including browsing the Internet and playing games. They are often called
smartphones.

▶︎ Wearables: Wearable technology is a general term for a group of devices—

including fitness trackers and smartwatches—that are designed to be
worn throughout the day. These devices are often called wearables for
short.

▶︎ Game consoles: A game console is a specialized type of computer that is

used for playing video games on your TV.

▶︎ TVs: Many TVs now include applications—or apps—that let you access
various types of online content. For example, you can stream video from
the Internet directly onto your TV.

PCs and Macs

Personal computers come in two main styles: PC and Mac. Both are fully functional, but
they have a different look and feel, and many people prefer one or the other.

PCs
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This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981. Other
companies began creating similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible
(often shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and
it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Macs

The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold
personal computer with a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs
are made by one company (Apple), and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating
system.

Lesson 3: Basic Parts of a Computer

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Introduction
The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer case, monitor, keyboard,
mouse, and power cord. Each part plays an important role whenever you use a
computer.

Watch the video below to learn about the basic parts of a computer.

Computer Basics: Basic Parts of a Computer

Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.

Computer case

The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of
the computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power

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supply. The front of the case usually has an On/Off button and one or more optical
drives.

Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a desk,
and the monitor usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next to the monitor
or on the floor. All-in-one computers come with the internal components built into the
monitor, which eliminates the need for a separate case.

Monitor

The monitor works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to display
images and text on the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that allow you to
change your monitor's display settings, and some monitors also have built-in speakers.

Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light-emitting diode)
displays. These can be made very thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays.
Older monitors use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT monitors are much larger and
heavier, and they take up more desk space.

Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are
many different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to
accomplish the same basic tasks.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about the different parts
of the keyboard.

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If you want to learn how to type or improve your touch-typing skills, check
out our free Typing Tutorial.

Mouse

The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly
known as a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them,
and move them.

There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an
electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a
rolling ball to detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.

To learn the basics of using a mouse, check out our interactive Mouse
Tutorial.

Mouse alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same thing as a mouse. Many people find them
easier to use, and they also require less desk space than a traditional mouse. The most
common mouse alternatives are below.

▶︎ Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate freely. Instead of moving the
device like a mouse, you can roll the ball with your thumb to move the
pointer.
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▶︎ Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is a touch-sensitive pad

that lets you control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your
finger. Touchpads are common on laptop computers.

Lesson 4: Buttons and Ports on a Computer

Introduction
Take a look at the front and back of your computer case and count the number of
buttons, ports, and slots you see. Now look at your monitor and count any you find
there. You probably counted at least 10, and maybe a lot more.

Each computer is different, so the buttons, ports, and sockets will vary from computer
to computer. However, there are certain ones you can expect to find on most desktop
computers. Learning how these ports are used will help whenever you need to connect
something to your computer, like a new printer, keyboard, or mouse.

Watch the video below to learn about the buttons, ports, and slots on a
desktop computer.

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Computer Basics: Buttons and Ports on a Computer

Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.

Front of a computer case

Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar with the front
of a computer.

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Back of a computer case

The back of a computer case has connection ports that are made to fit specific devices.
The placement will vary from computer to computer, and many companies have their
own special connectors for specific devices. Some of the ports may be color coded to
help you determine which port is used with a particular device.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar with the back
of a computer.

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USB Ports

On most desktop computers,

most of the USB ports are on
the back of the computer
case. Generally, you'll want to
connect your mouse and
keyboard to these ports and
keep the front USB ports free
so they can be used for digital
cameras and other devices.

Other types of ports

There are many other types of ports, such as FireWire, Thunderbolt, and HDMI. If your
computer has ports you don't recognize, you should consult your manual for more
information.

Now you try it! Practice connecting the cables with the interactive game
below.

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Peripherals you can use with your

computer
The most basic computer setup usually includes the computer case, monitor,
keyboard, and mouse, but you can plug many different types of devices into the extra
ports on your computer. These devices are called peripherals. Let's take a look at some
of the most common ones.

▶︎ Printers: A printer is used to print documents, photos, and anything else

that appears on your screen. There are many types of printers, including
inkjet, laser, and photo printers. There are even all-in-one printers, which
can also scan and copy documents.

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▶︎ Scanners: A scanner allows you to copy a physical image or document

and save it to your computer as a digital (computer-readable) image.
Many scanners are included as part of an all-in-one printer, although you
can also buy a separate flatbed or handheld scanner.

▶︎ Speakers/headphones: Speakers and headphones are output devices,

which means they send information from the computer to the user—in this
case, they allow you to hear sound and music. Depending on the model,
they may connect to the audio port or the USB port. Some monitors also
have built-in speakers.

▶︎ Microphones: A microphone is a type of input device, or a device that

receives information from a user. You can connect a microphone to record
sound or talk with someone else over the Internet. Many laptop
computers come with built-in microphones.

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▶︎ Web cameras: A web camera—or webcam—is a type of input device that

can record videos and take pictures. It can also transmit video over the
Internet in real time, which allows for video chat or video conferencing
with someone else. Many webcams also include a microphone for this
reason.

▶︎ Game controllers and joysticks: A game controller is used to control

computer games. There are many other types of controllers you can use,
including joysticks, although you can also use your mouse and keyboard
to control most games.

▶︎ Digital cameras: A digital camera lets you capture pictures and videos in a
digital format. By connecting the camera to your computer's USB port, you
can transfer the images from the camera to the computer.

▶︎ Mobile phones, MP3 players, tablet computers, and other devices:

Whenever you buy an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or MP3
player, check to see if it comes with a USB cable. If it does, this means you
can most likely connect it to your computer.

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