We value your privacy

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or

content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of
cookies.
CustomiseReject AllAccept All

Skip to Main Content

Search

● Help
● Tips
● Dictionary
● History
● Forums
● Contact
Home
Dictionary
C - Definitions

Computer
Updated: 06/14/2025 by Computer Hope
A computer is a programmable
device that stores, retrieves, and
processes data. The term
"computer" was originally given to
humans (human computers)
who performed numerical
calculations using mechanical
calculators, such as the abacus
and slide rule. The term was later
given to mechanical devices as
they began replacing human
computers. Today's computers are
electronic devices that accept
data (input), process that data,
produce output, and store
(storage) the results (IPOS).

● Computer overview.

● History of the computer.

● How are computers used today?

● What components make up a desktop computer?

● What parts are needed for a computer to work?

● Computer connections

● Types of computers.

● Who makes computers?

● Related information.

Computer overview
Below is a picture of a computer with
each of the main components. Notice
the desktop computer, flat-panel
display, speakers, keyboard, and
mouse in the picture below. We've
also labeled each of the input devices
and output devices.
Tip

You can find further information

about other types of computers and
get a breakdown of the components
that make up a desktop computer
later on this page.

History of the computer

The first digital computer and
what most people think of as a
computer was called the ENIAC
(Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer). It was built during World
War II (1943-1946) and was designed
to help automate the calculations
being done by human computers. By
doing these calculations on a
computer, they could achieve results
much faster and with fewer errors.
The first generation of computers,
such as the ENIAC, used vacuum
tubes and were often as large as
entire rooms. These machines were
primarily used by large corporations,
universities, or governments. Later,
computers began using transistors
and smaller and cheaper parts that
allowed the ordinary person to own a
computer.

For a complete timeline of the

computers development, see the
following link.

When was the first

computer invented?
How many generations of
computers are there?
How are computers used
today?
Today, computers simplify tasks that
were once complex and time-
consuming. For example, you can
write a letter in a word processor,
edit it anytime, spell check, print
copies, and send it to someone
across the world in seconds. All these
activities would have taken someone
days, if not months, to do before.
Also, these examples are a small
fraction of what computers can do.

How are computers used?

How does a computer
work?
What are the advantages
of using a computer?
What components make
up a desktop computer?
Today's desktop computers have
some or all the components
(hardware) and peripherals below. As
technology advances, older
technologies, such as a floppy disk
drive and zip drive (shown below),
are no longer required or included.

● Bay
● Case or Chassis
● Case Fan
● Optical drive: Blu-ray,
CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW,
or DVD.
● CPU (Central Processing
Unit)
● Floppy disk drive
● Hard drive
● Keyboard
● RAM (Random-Access
Memory)
● Microphone
● Monitor, LCD (Liquid-
Crystal Display), or
another display device.
● Motherboard
● Mouse
● Network card
● Power Supply
● Printer
● Sound card
● Speakers
● Video card
What parts are needed
for a computer to work?
A computer doesn't require all the
components mentioned above.
However, a computer cannot function
without having at the very minimum
the parts listed below.

● Processor - Component
that executes
instructions from the
software and hardware.
● Memory - Temporary
primary storage for data
traveling between the
storage and CPU.
● Motherboard (with
onboard video) -
Component that
connects all
components.
 ● Storage device (e.g.,
hard drive) - Slower
secondary storage that
permanently stores data.

A computer with only these essential

parts works but doesn't allow user
interaction until at least one input
device (e.g., keyboard) is connected.
Also, you would need at least one
output device (e.g., monitor) for you
to see what is happening.

Tip

Once a computer is set up, running,

and connected to a network, you
could disconnect the keyboard and
monitor and remotely connect. Most
servers and computers in data
centers are used and controlled
remotely.
 What does the inside of a
computer look like?
How does the computer
relate to the human
body?

Computer connections
All computers have different types of
connections. An example of the back
of a personal computer and brief
descriptions of each connection is
found on our computer connections
page.

How to set up a new

computer.

Types of computers
Computers can be classified as one of
three types of computers: a general-
purpose computer, special-purpose
computer, or specialized computer.

A general-purpose computer is what

most people think of when thinking
about a computer and is what this
page covers.

A special-purpose computer is
embedded in almost all electronic
devices and is the most widely-used
computer. This computer is designed
for a specific task and is found in
ATMs, cars, microwaves, TVs, the
VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), and
other home electronics. See our
special-purpose computer page for
further information and examples.

A specialized computer is like a

general-purpose computer but is
designed only to perform one or a
few different tasks. See our
specialized computer for further
information and examples of these
computers.

When discussing a computer or a

"PC," you're usually referring to a
desktop computer found in a home or
office. However, the lines of what
makes these computers are blurring.
Below are different examples of
what's considered a computer today.
 The picture above shows several
types of computers and computing
devices and is an example of their
differences. Below is a complete list
of general-purpose computers of past
and present.

Note

Some computers could use different

classifications. For example, a
desktop computer could also be
classified as a gaming computer and
a personal computer.

● Custom-built PC
● Desktop computer
● Diskless workstation
and Thin client
● Gaming computer
● Hybrid computer
● Laptop, portable,
notebook computer
 ● Mainframe
● Microcomputer
● Nanocomputer
● Netbook
● PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant)
● Personal computer
● Prebuilt computer
● Quantum computer
● Server
● Smartphone
● Stick computer
● Supercomputer
● Tablet
● Wearable

Who makes computers?

Today, there are two types of
computers: the PC (IBM compatible)
and Apple Mac. Many companies
make and build PCs, and if you get all
the necessary parts for a computer,
 you can even build a custom PC.
However, with Apple computers, only
Apple designs and makes these
computers. See our computer
companies page for a listing of
companies (OEMs) that make and
build computers.

What type of computer

should I buy?
Desktop computer buying
tips.
Mac vs. PC.

Related information

● How to use a computer.

● Basic computer troubleshooting.
● How to install computer hardware.
● What makes a computer fast and powerful?
 ● How to learn more about computers.
● Why should I learn about computers?
● Now that I've got a computer, what can I do?
● What came before computers and mobile
devices?
● Computer Hope computer quiz.
● All computer questions and answers.

Barebone, Compute, Computer family, Computer Hope,

Connection, CPU, Data, Hardware, Hardware terms, Home
Computer, Laptop, My Computer, PC, Rig, Server, Software,
System, System unit

Was this page useful?

Yes
No
Feedback
E-mail
Share
Print

Search
Recently added pages
What to do when Microsoft ends support for
Windows?

What is Drag Click?

What Is TPM (Trusted Platform Module)?

What is Xbox Game Pass?

How to Use AI to Create Images.

View all recent updates

Useful links
About Computer Hope

Cookie Preferences

Site Map

Forum

Contact Us

How to Help

Top 10 pages

Follow us
 Facebook

YouTube

RSS

Computer Hope home page

© 2026 Computer Hope

Legal Disclaimer - Privacy Statement

Explicar