This tutorial will help you understand how computers work and how to use them.

We'll talk about how

to set up a computer, the difference between hardware and software, and the types of computers you
can use. We'll also explore operating systems, applications, the cloud, and a whole lot more.

Whether you're getting started with your first computer or are just looking to learn more about how
they work, you'll find all of the information you need in our written lessons, videos, and interactives.
When you're done, you'll have a fundamental understanding of how to use a computer. You'll also be
ready to learn even more about computers with some of our other tutorials.

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.

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 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 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.

Basic Parts of a Computer

Introduction

The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power
cord. Each part plays an important role whenever you use a computer.

Computer case

The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer,
including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply. The front of the case
usually has an On/Off button and one or more optical drives.

Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a desk, and the monitor
usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next to the monitor or on the floor. All-in-one
computers come with the internal components built into the monitor, which eliminates the need for a
separate case.
Monitor

The monitor works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to display images and text on
the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that allow you to change your monitor's display settings,
and some monitors also have built-in speakers.

Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light-emitting diode) displays. These can
be made very thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays. Older monitors use CRT (cathode ray
tube) displays. CRT monitors are much larger and heavier, and they take up more desk space.

Keyboard

The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many different types
of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same basic tasks.

Mouse

The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly known as a
pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them.

There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an electronic eye to
detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to detect movement
and requires regular cleaning to work properly.

Mouse alternatives

There are other devices that can do the same thing as a mouse. Many people find them easier to use,
and they also require less desk space than a traditional mouse. The most common mouse alternatives
are below.

 Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate freely. Instead of moving the device like a mouse,
you can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.
 Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the
pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger. Touchpads are common on laptop
computers.

Buttons and Ports on a Computer

Take a look at the front and back of your computer case and count the number of buttons, ports, and
slots you see. Now look at your monitor and count any you find there. You probably counted at least 10,
and maybe a lot more.

Each computer is different, so the buttons, ports, and sockets will vary from computer to computer.
However, there are certain ones you can expect to find on most desktop computers. Learning how these
ports are used will help whenever you need to connect something to your computer, like a new printer,
keyboard, or mouse.