A computer is an electronic device that can store, process, and retrieve data. It uses both hardware and software to function. Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer like the case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Software refers to programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do. There are different types of computers including desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, smartphones, game consoles, and more. The basic internal parts of a computer are the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, expansion cards, and power supply.

1. COMPUTER
BASICS

2. 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 create spreadsheets,
presentations, and even videos.

3. HARDWARE VS. 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.

4. HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE
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.

5. HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE
• 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 Power Point(software) and using
your mouse (hardware) to click from page to page.
• Different types of computers also often use
different types of software.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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 smart watches—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.

12. PCS AND MACS
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.

13. 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.

14. BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTER
Computer case:
• 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.
• 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.

15. BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTER
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.
• Older monitors use CRT (cathode ray
tube) displays. CRT monitors are much
larger and heavier, and they take up more
desk space.

16. BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTER
KEYBOARD
Keyboard:
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.

17. BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTER
Mouse:
• 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.
• Two main 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.

18. MOUSE ALTERNATIVES
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.

19. MOUSE ALTERNATIVES
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.

20. FRONT OF A COMPUTER CASE

21. FRONT OF A COMPUTER CASE

22. FRONT OF A COMPUTER CASE

23. FRONT OF A COMPUTER CASE

24. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

25. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

26. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

27. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

28. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

29. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

30. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

31. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

32. BACK OF A COMPUTER CASE

33. INSIDE A COMPUTER

34. INSIDE A COMPUTER
MOTHERBOARD
The motherboard is the
computer's main circuit
board. It's a thin plate that
holds the
• CPU
• Memory
• Connectors for the hard
drive and optical drives
• Expansion cards to
control the video and
audio
• connections to your
computer's ports
(such as USB ports).

35. CPU/PROCESSOR
• CPU, also called a processor, is located inside the computer case on
the motherboard. (Brain of a computer)
• a Two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located inside.
• The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by
the heat sink, (an object that absorbs heat from the CPU).
• A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of
instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions
per second.

36. RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)
• RAM is your system's short-term memory.
• This short-term memory disappears when the computer is
turned off.
• RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).
• The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can
do at the same time.

37. HARD DRIVE
• Hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files
are stored.
• Long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even
if you turn the computer off or unplug it.
• SSD (Solid State Drive)- Microchips with no moving part
• HDD (Hard Disk Drive)- Magnetic platter with the Arm

38. EXPANSION CARDS
• Expansion slots allow you to add various types of expansion
cards.
• Sometimes called PCI (peripheral component interconnect)
cards.
• Video card
• Sound card
• Network card
• Bluetooth card

39. POWER SUPPLY UNIT
Converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power
needed by the computer.