4/6/2019 What is a Computer?

Computer
Updated: 05/13/2019 by Computer Hope

A computer is a programmable device that can store, retrieve, and process data. The term "computer" was originally
given to humans (human computers) who performed numerical calculations using mechanical calculators, such as the
abacus and slide rule. The term was later given to a mechanical device as they began replacing the human computers.
Today's computers are electronic devices that accept data (input), process that data, produce output, and store (storage) the
results.

Computer overview
Below is a picture of a computer with each of the main components. In the picture, you can see the desktop computer, flat-panel
display, speakers, keyboard, and mouse. We've also labeled each of the input devices and output devices.

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Tip: You can find further information about other types of computers and get a breakdown of the components that make up
a desktop computer later in this document.

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History of the computer

The first digital computer and what most people think of as a computer was called the ENIAC. It was built during World War II
(1943-1946) and was designed to help automate the calculations being done by human computers. By doing these calculations on
a computer, they could achieve results much faster and with fewer errors.

Early computers like the ENIAC used vacuum tubes and were large (sometimes room size) and only found in businesses,
Universities, or governments. Later, computers began utilizing transistors as well as smaller and cheaper parts that allowed the
ordinary person to own a computer.

How are computers used today?

Today, computers make jobs that used to be complicated much simpler. For example, you can write a letter in a word processor,
edit it anytime, spell check, print copies, and send it to someone across the world in a matter of seconds. All these activities would
have taken someone days, if not months, to do before. Also, these examples are a small fraction of what computers can do.

What components make up a desktop computer?

Today's desktop computers have some or all of the below components (hardware) and peripherals. As technology advances, older
technologies, such as a floppy disk drive and Zip drive (both shown below), are no longer required or included.

Bay

Case or Chassis

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Case Fan

Optical drive: Blu-ray, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD.

CPU (processor)

Floppy disk drive

Hard drive

Keyboard

RAM (random access memory)

Microphone

Monitor, LCD, or another display device.

Motherboard

Mouse

Network card

Power Supply

Printer

Sound card

Speakers

Video card

Wearable

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What parts are needed for a computer to work?

A computer does not require all the components mentioned above. However, a computer cannot function without having at the
very minimum the below parts.

Processor - Component that executes instructions from the software and hardware.

Memory - Temporary primary storage for data traveling between the storage and CPU.

Motherboard (with on-board video) - Component that connects all components.

Storage device (e.g., hard drive) - Slower secondary storage that permanently stores data.
However, if you had a computer with only the above minimum parts, you would be unable to communicate with it until you
connected at least one input device (e.g., keyboard). Also, for you to see what is happening, you would need at least one output
device (e.g., monitor).

Tip: Once a computer is set up, running, and connected to a network, you could disconnect the keyboard and monitor and
remotely connect. In fact, this is how most servers and computers in data centers are used.

Computer connections
All computers have different types of connections. However, an example of the back of a personal computer and a brief
description of each of the connections is found on our computer connections page.

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Types of computers
When talking about a computer or a "PC," you are usually referring to a desktop computer that you would find in a home or office.
Today, however, the lines of what makes a computer are blurring. Below are all the different examples of what is considered a
computer today.

Above, is a visual example of a few of the most popular computers and an example of their differences. Below is a complete list of
computers of past and present.

Console (e.g., Xbox and PS3)

Desktop computer

Diskless workstation and Thin client

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Embedded computers - The most common and used computer. An embedded computer is a computer with a specific

function found in such things as ATMs, cars, microwaves, TVs, the VCR, and other home electronics.

Hybrid computer

Laptop, portable, notebook computer

Mainframe or Supercomputer

Microcomputer

Nanocomputer

Netbook

PDA

Personal computer (aka desktop and home computer)

Server

Set-top box

Smartphone

Tablet

Who makes computers?

Today, there are two types of computers the PC (IBM compatible) and Apple Mac. There are dozens of companies that make and
build PCs, and if you get all the necessary parts for a computer, you can even build a custom PC. However, when it comes to

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Apple, only Apple designs and makes these computers. See our computer companies page for a listing of companies (OEMs) that
make and build computers.

© 2019 Computer Hope

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