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.
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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.
▶︎ 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. Below, you can see an image of Microsoft PowerPoint, which is
used to create presentations.
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.
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
The second type of computer you may be familiar with is alaptop 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
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
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.