The total idiots guide to computers: Understanding how your PC works.

Andrew's Total Idiots Guide To Computers: Understanding How Your PC Works

-Preface-

Have you ever just nodded your head yes in a conversation that was tech-ish so that you wouldn't look like you were in total ignorance? Well your not alone - this guide is designed to give you basic knowledge of how a PC works. It will also define the difference between a laptop a desktop and what the pros and cons are of each.

-The basic components that everyone should know-

• Mouse: This device allows you to move the cursor on the screen and navigate between tasks.
• Keyboard: This is a text INPUT device, it allows you to type into your machine.
• Monitor: This is the big box that you look into.
• Computer: This is the brain of the PC.
• Speakers: Sound output.

-The Computer more in depth-

I will go over the major components of the computer.

• The hard drive (HD): This is where information in stored. Hard drive space is measured in Gigs(G).
  
• CPU: "Central Processing Unit" - this processes and runs everything you click/do/open/close/run. Its speed is measured in Ghz.
• RAM: "Random Access Memory" - whenever your CPU needs a place to hold something temporarily it uses the RAM. Having a lot of RAM is ideal so you can be running more programs at one time without having your computer get laggy. RAM is measured in MB and Gigs(G).
• CD/DVD/RW Rom Drives: These drives are where you play DVD's, CD's, run games, and burn music. They are measured by speed.
• Operating System: Example - Microsoft Windows XP.
• Graphics and sound cards: These are more advanced, don't worry about them right now.

Desktops VS Laptops

Laptops are portable, which is what makes them great. However when you make something smaller - your always giving up something. (usually). Laptops nowadays can be just as good as desktops. However they are expensive.

Desktops are bigger, more stable, they usually tend to have more space and speed for a MUCH cheaper price.

Thats pretty much it.

Thats the core basics of a PC, hope some of you were educated.

-Andrew-


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haha, nice guide...thats for really stipid people. Maybe a lighter color? Its pretty hard to see.

 

Color Changed.

Edit - I'll be adding more information to this guide as time goes by.

 

It's actually Hard Disk Drive, HDD

and for OS's put other examples like Linux and Mac OS so people realise what it actually is...

More random add-ins:

ROM-Read-Only memory, the computer uses this to read important information and prevents it form being written to for safety.