Computer Basics - What Is A Computer (Handout)

1. 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 probably 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.
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
• 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 to the left.
• Everything you do on your computer will rely on both hardware and software.
• For example, right now you are viewing this lesson in Microsoft PowerPoint
(software) and the mouse (hardware) is used to click from page to page.
Software
• Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do.
• It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.
• Some examples of software include web browsers, games, and word
processors.
• To the left, you can see an image of Microsoft PowerPoint, which is used to
create presentations such as this one.
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.
Desktops
• Many people use desktop computers at work, home, school, or the library.
• They can be small, medium, or large in style, and they usually sit on a desk.
• Once you add a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, you have what is typically
known as a desktop computer.
• Most desktop computers are easy to upgrade and expand or add new parts.
• Another benefit of desktop computers is their cost.
– If you compare a desktop and laptop with the same features, you
will most likely find that the desktop is less expensive.
Laptop computers
• The second type of computer you may be familiar with is a laptop computer, or a
laptop.
• Laptops are battery- or AC-powered personal computers that are more portable
than desktop computers, allowing you to use them almost anywhere.
• Because a laptop is smaller than a desktop, it's more difficult to access its internal
components.
• This means you may not be able to upgrade them as easily as a desktop.
Computer Basics Course – 24 May – 9 June, 2016 ∙ OLOG Primary School ∙

UB - MPIT ∙ D. Garcia MSc. DIS/ M. Medina MSc. ∙ Page 1 of 2 ∙
1. COMPUTER BASICS: WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Tablet computers
• Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more
portable than laptops.
• Instead of a keyboard or touchpad, tablets use a touch sensitive screen for typing
and navigation.
• The iPad is an example of a tablet.
• Tablets can't necessarily do anything a laptop or a desktop can do, so you may still
want a desktop or laptop to run programs or create documents.
• But if you just want to be able to play games, check email and social media, or
stream music and videos, a tablet may be a good computer replacement.
Servers
• A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network.
• Many businesses have file servers employees can use to store and share files.
• A server can look like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger.
• Servers also play an important role in making the Internet work: They are where
webpages are stored.
• When you use your browser to click a link, a web server delivers the page you
requested.
Other types of computers

Today, there are many everyday devices that are basically specialized computers, even
though we don't always think of them as computers. Here are a few common examples:
• Mobile phones: Many mobile phones can do a lot of things computers can do, such
as browsing the Internet and playing games. These phones are often called
smartphones.
• Game consoles: A game console is a specialized kind of computer that is used for
playing video games. Although they are not as fully featured as desktop computers,
many newer consoles allow you to perform nongaming tasks like browsing the Web.
• TVs: Many TVs now include applications—or apps—that let you access various
types of online content. For example, you can view your Facebook News Feed or
watch streaming movies on Netflix.
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.
• PC:
– 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.
• Mac:
– 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 Inc., and they almost always
use the Mac OS X operating system.
Challenge!
Think about the activities you perform or want to perform using a computer (email, online shopping, etc.).
Think about all of the computers that are necessary for day-to-day activities:
• How are magazines, books, letters, and other documents written and created?
• How does the cashier scan and calculate your grocery items?
• Does the grocery store you visit use a computer to order its inventory?
• Is the weather map on television a computer-generated one?
Computer Basics Course – 24 May – 9 June, 2016 ∙ OLOG Primary School ∙

UB - MPIT ∙ D. Garcia MSc. DIS/ M. Medina MSc. ∙ Page 2 of 2 ∙

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1. COMPUTER BASICS: WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

Hardware vs. software

What are the different types of computers?

Computer Basics Course – 24 May – 9 June, 2016 ∙ OLOG Primary School ∙

Other types of computers

PCs and Macs

Computer Basics Course – 24 May – 9 June, 2016 ∙ OLOG Primary School ∙

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