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 and 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 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
- 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
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 parts listed below.
- Processor - Component that executes instructions from the software and hardware.
- Memory - Temporary primary storage for data traveling between the storage and CPU.
- Motherboard (with onboard 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 minimum parts above, 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).
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. An example of the back of a personal computer and a brief description of each connection is found on our computer connections page.
Types of computers
When talking about a computer or a "PC," you are usually referring to a desktop computer found 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.
The picture above shows several types of computers and computing devices, and is an example of their differences. Below is a complete list of computers of past and present.
- Console (e.g., Xbox and PS3)
- Custom-built PC
- Desktop computer
- Diskless workstation and Thin client
- 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.
- Gaming computer
- Hybrid computer
- Laptop, portable, notebook computer
- Mainframe
- Microcomputer
- Nanocomputer
- Netbook
- PDA
- Personal computer (aka desktop and home computer)
- Prebuilt computer
- Server
- Set-top box
- Smartphone
- Stick computer
- Supercomputer
- Tablet
Who makes computers?
Today, there are two types of computers the PC (IBM compatible) and Apple Mac. Several 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, with Apple computers, only Apple designs and makes these computers. See our computer companies page for a listing of companies (OEMs) that make and build computers.
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