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Computer Basics- What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that processes and manipulates data, capable of various tasks such as typing documents and browsing the web. There are different types of computers including desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, smartphones, wearables, game consoles, and smart TVs, each serving distinct functions. Personal computers mainly come in two styles: PCs, which typically run Microsoft Windows, and Macs, which run Mac OS X.

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6 views

Computer Basics- What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that processes and manipulates data, capable of various tasks such as typing documents and browsing the web. There are different types of computers including desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, smartphones, wearables, game consoles, and smart TVs, each serving distinct functions. Personal computers mainly come in two styles: PCs, which typically run Microsoft Windows, and Macs, which run Mac OS X.

Uploaded by

analicerodrigues646
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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 di!erent 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 di!erent types of computers, let's talk about two things all
computers have in common: hardware and so!ware.

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.

So!ware is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and
how to do it. Examples of so"ware include web browsers, games, and word
processors.

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

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 di!erent 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 di!erent
parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Laptop computers

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

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 o"en 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 o"en 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 di!erent 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
(o"en shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and
it typically includes the Microso! 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.

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