Introduction to Personal Computer, Definition and a Comprehensive Guide

Topics Covered in the Session

• Computer history
• The first Personal Computer
• What is a Computer?
• The components or parts of a computer

Computer History Way Back Before Personal Computers

This introduction to Personal Computer will let you know the basics of a computer. Many discoveries and inventions have directly and indirectly contributed to the development of the Personal Computer or the PC as we know it today. Examining a few important developmental landmarks can help bring the entire picture into focus.

The first computers of any kind were simple calculators. They were invented with the main aim of aiding in calculations. For instance, in 1880 the American population was so large that it took more than seven years to work out their census results.

This led to the need of inventing a faster way of crunching numbers. The first types of machines that we call the first computers were invented during this period. These were the punch card based computers that filled an entire room.

Over time, those mechanical computers evolved into the electronic digital devices that we have today. Their sizes changed drastically over time from football and room filled sizes to pocket-size devices of the modern day time.

The First Personal Computer

The term PC refers to a Personal Computer, the kind of a computer designed to be used by one person at a time. The first Personal Computer was invented by IBM back in 1981.

A personal computer is a general-purpose computer, whose capabilities, size and cost price are ideal for an end-user. The components that make up a computer can be classified according to its functionality.

Before looking at specific computer components, it is worth taking a few moments to consider the key functions which are performed by every single computer.

What is a Computer?

This question has been asked a million times and if you go to the computer books or the web, you will get almost the same answer.

A computer is an electronic device or machine that responds to a specific set of commands or instructions and it can execute these instructions.

The computer performs calculations and executes instructions that are provided by a software or hardware program.

The diagram below illustrates how a computer executes a command. The input device produces the instructions that are then passed to the processor, which does the processing to determine what the command is supposed to do.

It then communicates the results of the processing through the output devices or stores them for future use.

Note that the word computer came from the Latin term ‘computare’, which means to calculate or compute.

The Components or Parts of a Personal Computer

A computer is designed to accept instructions or commands through input devices. It then processes the instructions received and produces an output of usable information.

This information can also be stored using a number of storage devices available. A fully functioning computer will have the following parts.

• Input devices
• Processing device
• Storage devices
• Output devices

Computer Input Devices

Input devices are used to enter raw data into a computer. They offer an interface or a link between the user and the computer. These are just but some examples.

Keyboard

The various keys on the keyboard let you enter information into a computer. For instance, whenever you are typing on a keyboard, you are issuing commands to the processor.

Mouse

A mouse is a hand-held device that helps you select, give commands, and move items on your screen. A mouse can come in various shapes, colours and sizes.

Scanner

A scanner is a device that reads graphics and text and feeds the data into a computer.

Joystick

A joystick helps you control the movement of people and objects in many games. Joysticks are used for arcade-type computer games because they let you move quickly and accurately in any direction.

Other input devices include Touch Screens, Digital Cameras, bar code readers, and Microphones for voice input among others.

Processing Device

The processor is the main chip in a computer. It is also known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Its main work is to fetch, decode and execute program instructions. It also performs arithmetic and logical operations.

The processor manipulates raw data and manages how the information flows through a computer system. It communicates with input, output and storage devices to perform any kind of task given to it. The computer processor also controls the operation of other components in the system.

Computer Storage Devices

The computer storage devices are divided into two; Primary storage and Secondary storage. The main primary storage device used in a computer is the RAM or what is commonly known as memory. Primary storage stores data temporarily.

The secondary storage is used to store data permanently. It can either be internal or external. These are some examples of secondary storage devices.

Hard Disk Drive

The hard disk holds information permanently ready to produce the info when needed, after one day, one year or for any period of time. The information could be filing names and addresses in a database, pictures, music, videos, digital books, and software, among others. There is no point in processing or storing information unless it can be accessed again, and that is where storage devices come in handy.

USB Flash Disk Drives

This is a portable storage device that comes in a small and compact size. It connects to a computer via USB ports. Flash disk drives are an easy way to store and transfer data between computers and they range in different sizes.

Computer Output Devices

Output devices give us an output of what has been processed and as we say, information in, information out. This could be the printing of a list of names from the database or displaying the picture on a web page. They include: –

Monitor

A monitor displays text and images after being processed in soft copy.

Printer

A printer produces a paper copy (hard copy) of the information displayed on the screen.

Computer Speakers

Computer speakers are hardware devices that transform the signal from the computer’s sound card into audio. Most computer systems will come with internal speakers which are not that powerful.  

If you want great sound, surround sound, fuller bass, or just a better quality of audio, you better buy external computer speakers. If you are a sound person, just go for a surround sound system.

Headphones

They allow you to listen to audio in private without other people snooping into what you are listening to. You will also not disrupt other people in the vicinity. They connect via the computer line out, or to the speakers.

Projectors

A projector is an output device which projects computer images onto a wall or screen. Projectors are typically used for presentations, watching movies, or as a teaching aid, as their output area is wider for an entire roomful of people to see images generated by a single computer with much ease.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading. If you need more information, I can recommend the CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Tenth Edition. This book will offer you amazing materials for reading and revision. Once done with it, you will become a professional in the IT world.