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What Is A Computer

A computer is an electronic device that can store, process, and manipulate data. It uses hardware components like keyboards and internal parts, and software programs that tell the hardware what to do. There are different types of computers including desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, smartphones, wearables, game consoles, and more specialized devices. Personal computers mainly come as PCs, which often use Windows, or Macs, which are made by Apple and use their Mac OS operating system.

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237 views5 pages

What Is A Computer

A computer is an electronic device that can store, process, and manipulate data. It uses hardware components like keyboards and internal parts, and software programs that tell the hardware what to do. There are different types of computers including desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, smartphones, wearables, game consoles, and more specialized devices. Personal computers mainly come as PCs, which often use Windows, or Macs, which are made by Apple and use their Mac OS operating system.

Uploaded by

Vincemart Travelandtours
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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.

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.
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


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 screenfor 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
Xoperating system.

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