Section 2: What is a Computer?
What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device which manipulates information or data.
What are the basic parts of a computer?
The computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord.
Which of the following buttons, slots, and/or cords would you typically find in the front of a computer case?: An optimal disc drive, power button, audio in/out, Bluetooth button, keyboard, and/or USB.
An optimal disc drive, power button, audio in/out, and USB.
What is the motherboard?
The computers’ main circuit board, or the plate which holds the CPU, memory, and connectors for the hard drive.
What is a laptop computer?
A computer which can be easily moved and used in a variety of locations.
What does a computer have the ability to do?
It can store, retrieve, and process data as well as type documents, send emails, and play games.
What is the computer case?
A metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer, like the motherboard, central processing unit, and power supply.
Which of the following might you find in the back of a computer case?: Connection ports, power button, Ethernet Port, Serial Port, and/or monitor.
Connection ports, Ethernet Port, and Serial Port.
What is the CPU/processor?
It is a two-inch ceramic square which carries out commands whenever you interact with the computer.
How is a laptop computer different from a desktop computer?
Typically, a laptop computer has an all-in-one design meaning its monitor, keyboard, touchpad, and speakers are all built in. On the other hand, a desktop has these features built separately.
What is hardware?
Any part of a computer which has a physical structure.
What does a monitor do?
The monitor displays text and images on a screen.
What is the power socket?
The socket where you would connect the power cord to the computer
What is the purpose of the heat sink?
To absorb heat from the CPU.
When a laptop is less expensive than a desktop computer what will this usually mean?
It is typically a less powerful laptop.
What is software?
A set of instructions which programs or tells the hardware what to do and how to do it.
What does a keyboard allow you to do?
Interact or communicate with the computer
What should you do if there are ports on your computer that you don’t recognize?
You should consult your manual.
What is the processor’s (CPU) speed measured in?
It is measured in megahertz, or millions of instructions per second, and/or gigahertz, billions of instructions per second.
What replaces a mouse on a laptop computer?
A touchpad
Are there different types of computers?
There are many types of computers like ATMs, calculators, and scanners at grocery stores.
What is another way to communicate with the computer?
Through a mouse
Which of the of the following are considered peripherals?: Printers, Scanners, Speakers/headphones, microwaves, microphones, game controllers, mobile phones, keyboards
Printers, Scanners, Speakers/headphones, microphones, game controllers, mobile phones,
What does RAM stand for?
random access memory
Which of the following features do most desktops and laptops have in common?: A keyboard, touchpad, monitor/screen, and built in speakers
A keyboard and a monitor/screen