Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers

What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that can control information or data.Specifically, it has the ability to store, retrieve and process data.For example, you can use your computer to perform basic tasks such as document entry, emailing, playing games and web browsing . to more advanced such as text editing, programming, or manage other devices .

Hardware and software

Before going into the heart of understanding different types of computers, let's talk about two things that all computers basically have, which are hardware and software.

Hardware is any part of a computer that has a physical structure, meaning that you can hold, grasp, or touch these parts, such as a keyboard or mouse.It also includes all the internal parts of the computer.In summary, it is possible to list the common hardware components of a computer or computer system as follows: Monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, computer cases, power supplies, microphones handling CPU, motherboard, cables, speakers, floppy drives, hard drives, CDROM drives, DVD drives, VGA graphics cards, wifi cards, sound cards, Cooler radiators.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 1

Software (Software) is a set of commands or instructions written in one or more programming languages ​​in a specific order, and related data or documents to automatically perform a number of tasks or functions or solving a specific problem.The software performs its functions by sending direct instructions to the hardware (or computer hardware, Computer Hardware) or by providing data to serve other programs or software.Software is an abstract concept, it is different from hardware in that "the software cannot be touched or touched", and it needs new hardware to be enforced.Popular software can be mentioned as web browser, games and word processor.Below, you can see a picture of Microsoft PowerPoint, a part used to create a slideshow.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 2

Every task you do on your computer will have to rely on a combination of both hardware and software.For example, you can now view this article in a web browser (software) and use your mouse (hardware) to click from page to page.When you learn about different types of computers, ask yourself about the differences in their hardware.Through this tutorial, you will find that different types of computers often use different types of software.

What types of computers are there?

When most people hear from a computer, they often think of a personal computer like a desktop or laptop computer.However, computers also come in many different shapes and sizes, and they are born to perform many different functions in our daily lives.When you withdraw cash from an ATM, swipe a card at a store grocery store or surf the web on a tablet, you are using a computer.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 3

Desktop computer (desktop)

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 4

Most of us often use desktop computers at work, home and school.Desktop computers are designed to be on desks and they are usually made up of several different parts, including the computer case, motherboard, power supply, hard drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Laptop (laptop)

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 5

The second type of computer that you might also find familiar is a laptop, often referred to as a laptop.Laptops are battery-powered computers that are much more mobile than desktop computers, allowing you to use them almost anywhere, at any time.

Tablet

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 6

Tablets, or tablets for short, are portable computers that are even more portable than laptops.Instead of using a keyboard and mouse as an input unit, the tablet uses a touch screen to act as a terminal.iPad is a good example of a tablet.

Server

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 7

The server is a computer with tremendous power, which serves to provide information or manage other computers on a network.For example, whenever you use the Internet, the website you are reading is an information stored on a server.Many businesses also use local servers to store and share document files in their local network.

Other types of computers

Many electronic devices today are called with many different names, but they are basically specialized computers, although we often don't think about them that way.Here are a few common examples.

Smart phones (smartphones): Many mobile phones today can perform many tasks that a traditional computer can perform, such as browsing the Internet and playing games.They are often called smart phones.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 8

Smart wearable device : Wearable technology is considered a general term for a group of smart wearable devices, including fitness tracking devices and smart watches.They are designed to be worn throughout the day.These devices are commonly referred to as wearables.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 9

Game consoles (game consoles): Game consoles are a type of computer dedicated to playing electronic games on your TV.Xbox 360 or Playstation 4 are examples of game console devices.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 10

TV: Many smart TVs now have the ability to store and open applications, allowing you to access various types of online content.For example, you can watch a video on the Internet directly with your TV.

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 11

PC and Mac

Personal computers have two main types: PC and Mac.Both have full functionality from basic to advanced, but they have different interfaces and many people like this or that.

PC

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 12

The ancestors of this type of computer were IBM's first machines introduced in 1981. Other companies began creating similar computers, called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PCs. ).Today, this is the most popular personal computer and usually includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Mac

Learn to use basic computer lesson 1 - Introduction to computers Picture 13

Mac computers (Macintosh) were first released in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey).All Macs are manufactured by a company (Apple), and they almost always use Mac OS X.

See more:

1. How to use Photoshop CS5 - Part 1: Toolbox
2. Learn about local area network - LAN (Part I)
3. Network basics: Part 1 - Network hardware devices