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Hardware
Every computer needs these parts to function
A processor or CPU -
The 'brain'
Memory - the 'desk'
Disk Storage - the 'filling cabinet'
A Display Unit - What you see
A keyboard and or a mouse - How you tell the computer what to do
A CD/DVD Drive - This is getting to be optional - I'll explain
later
USB Ports - To plug in your accessories
Other things you will probably
need*
A Printer - Unless you ask your neighbour to print things off for
you
An External Hard Drive - To back up your stuff in case your
computer explodes
A WebCam* - to see your grandchildren on Skype. Actually for them
to see you.
Speakers* - To hear their wonderful voices
A microphone* - So they can hear you
Access to the internet - If you want any of the things above to
work
Memory Card Reader* - To copy your pictures and videos to your
computer
A Scanner - Hopefully if you wanted a scanner, you bought a
printer that can scan too
* if you have a laptop, you may have these built in.
Software
Programs you need on your computer
An Operating System -
In our case, Windows Something - Unless I can convince to buy an iPad
A Browser - We will use Internet Explorer but there are others
like Google Chrome
Acrobat Reader - It's free and it reads some e-mail attachments.
A Security Program - A must for travelling the internet
Other software you will
probably need
A Word Processor - If you want to type letters on paper instead
of e-mail
A Spreadsheet - If you want to do your budget
A Presentation Maker - If you plan on making presentation
Photo editing software - You may have it and don't know it
Video editing software - Now you really are advanced
Skype - If you want to see your grandkids while you are in
Florida
Games - When there is nothing else to do and you need to practice
your mousing skills |