3/31/23, 9:41 PM What is a Computer?

Computer
Updated: 02/07/2022 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

Below is a picture of a computer with each of the main

components. You can see 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.

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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. 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.

Early computers like the ENIAC used vacuum tubes and were large (sometimes room size) and only found in
businesses, universities, or governments. Later, computers began utilizing transistors and smaller and cheaper parts
that allowed the ordinary person to own a computer.

How are computers used today?

Today, computers do jobs that used to be complicated much simpler. 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.

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 (processor)
Floppy disk drive
Hard drive
Keyboard
RAM (random access memory)
Microphone
Monitor, LCD, or another display device.
Motherboard
Mouse
Network card
Power Supply
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Printer
Sound card
Speakers
Video card
Wearable

What parts are needed for a computer to work?

A computer does not 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.

However, if you had a computer with only the minimum parts above, you would be unable to communicate with it
until you connected at least one input device (e.g., keyboard). 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.

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.

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, and other
home electronics. See our special-purpose computer page for further information and examples.

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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 talking about 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.

Tip: Some computers could use many 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 computer
Prebuilt computer
Quantum computer
Server
Smartphone
Stick computer
Supercomputer

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Tablet

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.

© 2023 Computer Hope

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