Section 2: What is a Computer?
What is a computer be used for?
A computer can be used to type documents, send emails, make phone calls, play videogames, and browse the web.
What different sizes do computer cases come in for certain computer monitor 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.
What is a printer used for?
A printer is used to print documents, photos, and anything else that appears on your screen.
What is the motherboard?
The motherboard is the computer’s main circuit board and is a thin plate that holds many important parts including the CPU, memory, and the connectors for the hard drive and optical drives.
What is a laptop?
A laptop is a personal computer that can be easily moved and used in a variety of locations
What is the difference between hardware and software?
Hardware is any part of your computer that has physical structure. Software is any set of instructions that tells you what to do and how to do it.
How does a monitor work?
The monitor works with a video card to display images and text onto the screen.
What is a scanner used for?
A scanner allows you to copy a physical image or document and save it to your computer as a digital image.
What is a hard drive?
The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are stored.
What does every laptop have and what does it allow you to do?
Every laptop has a battery, and it allows you to use the laptop when it's not plugged in.
What different parts does a desktop computer have that others don’t?
A computer case, a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse.
What is the main way to communicate through a computer?
The main way to communicate through a computer is with a keyboard.
What is a microphone?
A microphone is a type of input device, or a device that receives information from a user.
What is RAM, and what does it do inside your computer?
RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is needed.
What does a touchpad allow you to do?
A touchpad is a touch sensitive pad that allows you to control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger.
What is an internet server?
A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network.
What is the computer mouse commonly known as?
The computer mouse is commonly known as the pointing device.
What does a digital camera allow you to do?
A digital camera allows you to capture pictures and videos in a digital format.
What does a network card allow you to do?
The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection, or Wi-Fi.
What is the operating systems job?
The operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer.
What other types of computers are there, except desktops and laptops?
There are smartphones, fitness trackers/ smart watches, gaming consoles, and televisions.
What’s the difference between older and newer computer monitor models?
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.
What is a web camera?
A web camera is a type of input device that can record videos and take pictures.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over short distances.
What does a word processor allow you to do?
: A word processor allows you to write a letter, design a flyer, and create many other types of documents.