5.0 INTRODUCTION PERSONAL COMPUTER
A personal computer (PC) is a general-purpose computer, used for day to day activities
in different areas including education, business, administration and health. Due to its size
and capabilities, PC is useful for the users. A PC can be operated directly and may be
used for computational, word processing, and data storage purpose.
Depending on the size and processing capacity, PCs are of many types such as, a desktop
computer, a laptop tablet PC, a handheld PC /palmtop. Personal computers can be
connected to the computer network by wired or wireless media. Generally, for using a
PC, computer proficiency is not compulsory. PCs are being used from a school going
children to a business professional for different purposes. A non-professional user may
use a PC to listen songs, watching movies, creating some documentation, email etc. A .
professional user may use a PC for different business process such as documentation,
running business program, creating databases, internet, and emailing, teleconferencing
etc. Thus, the scope of a personal computer varies a lot depending on the type of its users.
The configuration of a PC matters a lot in terms of its processing quality and cost.
5.1 OBJECTIVES
After reading this unit, you should be able to:
- describe the meaning and purpose of the personal computer;
- distinguish different types of personal computers;
- briefly explain hardware components of personal computer;
- describe software and its types;
- explain operating system installation process;
- to setup network configuration; and
- understand different tools and application of personal computer.
In previous units of this block you have learned about basic components of a computer
system. This learning will enable you understand the working of a computer system and
use computer for different activities in your life. Rest of this unit will teach you about
practical aspects.
