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* display (screen or monitor): some way to see what is happening so that you can react accordingly
* display (screen or monitor): some way to see what is happening so that you can react accordingly
* power supply (PSU): the internal hardware that takes in AC voltage and uses it to power the computer and all it does
* power supply (PSU): the internal hardware that takes in AC voltage and uses it to power the computer and all it does
that is pretty much all you need to have a working computer, other than some sort of Operating System (such as Windows or Android).
that is pretty much all you need to have a working computer, other than some sort of Operating System (such as Windows or Android).

Latest revision as of 19:49, 14 March 2026

while any number of devices may use computer technology, such as how a car technically has a "computer" in it, for the puposes of this website, a computer is an electronic device that is not necessarily designed for just a small amount of tasks, but for any number of programmable tasks.

for example, a cell phone would not be considered a computer, since it can only make phone calls, send SMS text messages, and do other phone-related tasks. but a smart phone might be considered a computer, because it can run any number of apps that can make use of the smart phone's hardware to do things the phone was not necessarily designed for.

realistically speaking, a computer has all of the following parts:

  • mainboard (motherboard): connects all other parts to help them work together
  • processor (CPU): the "brain" of a computer
  • temporary memory (RAM): stores currently running processes until done
  • permanent storage(hard drive, etc.): keeps files needed for system startup, and personal use
  • input devices (keyboard or mouse): used to enter data and navigate through the various areas of the computer on-screen (Note: on smart phones, the touch screen would be considered a type of input device)
  • display (screen or monitor): some way to see what is happening so that you can react accordingly
  • power supply (PSU): the internal hardware that takes in AC voltage and uses it to power the computer and all it does

that is pretty much all you need to have a working computer, other than some sort of Operating System (such as Windows or Android).