Understanding Computers: Types, Components, and Peripherals

Posted on Jan 26, 2025 in Computers

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It can store, retrieve, and process data. You can also type documents, send emails, play games, browse the web, and edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and videos.

Hardware and Software

Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the keyboard, mouse, or internal parts. Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it, such as web browsers, games, and word processors.

Different Types of Computers

  • Desktop Computers: Designed to be placed on a desk, they are made up of a few different parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
  • Laptop Computers: Battery-powered computers that are more portable than desktops, allowing you to use them almost anywhere.
  • Tablet Computers: Handheld computers that are even more portable than laptops. These devices use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation.
  • Servers: A computer that serves up information to other computers on a network. Businesses also use local file servers to store and share files internally.
  • Smartphones: Many cell phones can do a lot of things computers can do.
  • Game Consoles: A specialized type of computer that is used for playing video games on your TV.
  • TVs: Many TVs now include apps that let you access various types of online content.

Personal Computers

  • PC: This type began with the IBM PC and today is the most common type of personal computer. It typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.
  • MAC: The Macintosh computer was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface. Made by Apple, it always uses the macOS operating system.

Basic Parts of a Computer

Computer Case

The metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer. The front of the case usually has an on/off button and one or more optical drives. It comes in different shapes and sizes.

Monitor

Works with a video card to display images and text on the screen. Types:

  • LCD: Monitors with liquid crystal displays. These are very thin and are also often called flat-panel displays.
  • LED: Monitors with light-emitting diode displays. These are very thin and are also often called flat-panel displays.
  • CRT: Monitors with cathode ray tube displays. These are older, much larger, and heavier, taking up more desk space.

Mouse

An important tool for communicating with computers. A pointing device for pointing to objects on the screen, clicking, and moving them. Types:

  • Optical: Uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean.
  • Mechanical: Uses a rolling ball to detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.
Mouse Alternatives

These can do the same thing as a mouse, are easier to use, and require less desk space than a traditional mouse. Types:

  • Trackball: Has a ball that can rotate freely. You can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.
  • Touchpad/Trackpad: A touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger. Common on laptop computers.

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.

  • Escape Key: Allows you to stop a function or action.
  • Function Keys: Labeled F1 to F12. Some programs use these keys as shortcuts for common tasks.
  • Print Screen: Takes a picture of your screen, called a screenshot, that you can edit or save.
  • Tab Key: Used to create indents in word processing programs. You can also use it to switch to the next field if you are filling out a form online.
  • Alphanumeric Keys: The main part of the keyboard includes the alphanumeric keys (letters and numbers) and the spacebar.
  • Backspace Key: Erases the character to the left of the cursor.
  • Enter Key: Executes commands.
  • Control (Ctrl), Alternate (Alt), Shift Keys: Designed to work in combination with other keys.
  • Arrow Keys: Used for many different purposes.
  • Insert Key: Switches between insert mode and overtype mode.
  • Delete Key: Erases the character to the right of the cursor.
  • Home/End Keys: Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the current line.
  • Page Up/Page Down Keys: Scroll a document or webpage up or down.
  • Numeric Keypad: Resembles a calculator keypad.

Front of Computer Case

  • Optical disc drive
  • Power button
  • Audio in/Audio out
  • USB (Universal Serial Bus) port

Back of Computer Case

  • Power Socket: Where you will connect the power cord to the computer.
  • Audio In/Audio Out: Almost every computer has two or more audio ports where you can connect various devices.
  • Ethernet Port: You can use this port for networking and connecting to the Internet.
  • USB Ports: Mostly on the back of the computer case, where you connect the mouse and keyboard.
  • Monitor Port: Where you connect your monitor cable. Some computers have both a DisplayPort and a VGA port. Others have other types of monitor ports such as DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface).
  • Serial Port: Less common on today’s computers. It was frequently used to connect peripherals, but it has been replaced by USB and other types of ports.
  • PS/2: Used for connecting the mouse (green) and the keyboard (purple). Nowadays, these ports have been replaced by USB.
  • Expansion Slots: Where expansion cards are added to computers. If a computer didn’t come with a video card, you can buy one and install it here.
  • Parallel Port: An older port that is less common on new computers because it has now been replaced by USB.

Peripherals

Peripherals can be output devices (that send information from the computer to the user) or input devices (that receive information from a user).

  • Printers (Output): Used to print documents, photos, and anything else that appears on your screen. Types include inkjet, laser, and photo printers. There are even all-in-one printers, which can also scan and copy documents.
  • Scanners (Input)
  • Speakers/Headphones (Output)
  • Microphones (Input)
  • Web Cameras (Input)
  • Game Controllers and Joysticks (Input)
  • Digital Cameras (Input)
  • Mobile Phones, MP3 Players, Tablet Computers (Input and Output)