Most of us are familiar with computers and use them in one capacity or another nearly every day, however, some would have a difficult time explaining what a computer actually is.. A computer is an electronic device that uses microprocessor technology to input, manipulate, store, and output data. Computing technology allows us to write letters, create pictures, make calculations, play games, and send electronic mail (e-mail).

What is computer data?

One of the most basic purposes of a computer is to convert facts, numbers, words, images, sounds, and other data into usable information.

For example, suppose you are using your computer's calculator function to figure your grocery expenses for a year. You could tally the amount you might spend on groceries each month. If you spend $110 each month, you would multiply $110 by 12 months. The answer would be $1,320 for groceries per year. In this example, both 12 and 110 are data while 1,320—the resulting figure—is information. The figure 1,320 can be stored in a computer's memory bank, used in other equations—such as determining a yearly budget—or simply erased.

So, a computer is essentially a machine that performs directed tasks with the data we provide it. Technically, figures, key strokes, anything we put into the computer is "data." What we get out of the computer is "information." In everyday use, however, the term "data" has come to include both our input and the computer's output.

Computer Types

Like people, computers vary in size, type, shape, and ability. They are everywhere: in cash registers, gas pumps, cameras, cars, homes, stereos, and even toys. Computers have become a useful part of our everyday lives.

The type of computers we use at home or work are referred to by a variety of names such as PCs, microcomputers, workstations, laptops, and desktops. These computers are designed for a single user (at a time) and are most commonly referred to as "personal computers" or PCs. PCs are the most common type of computer in the world.

Desktop Computers

The desktop model was the original form factor of IBM's first AT computer, adopted by many IBM-compatible computer manufacturers during the 1980s. As opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer, desktop computers are intended to be used and stored in one location. Most modern desktop computers have separate display devices and keyboards.

Desktop Personal Computer.

Servers

In its most common use, a server is a physical computer dedicated to share one or more resources to other computers located on the same network.

Rack-mounted servers and blade servers.

Laptop Computers

A laptop computer is a personal computer intended for mobile use. Using most of the same components as a typical PC, laptops include a screen, a pointing device, a keyboar and built-in speakers. A laptop is generally powered by electricity via an AC adapter, but can be used away from an outlet using a rechargeable battery. Laptops are also referred to as notebook computers, notebooks or netbooks.

Laptops, Notebooks, Subnotebooks and Netbooks, differ in size, shape and features.

Tablet Computers

A tablet computer, or tablet, is a fully mobile computer, manufactured into a flat touch screen and typically operated by touching the screen rather than using a physical mouse and keyboard.

Apple's "iPad" touch screen tablet computer.

Mobile Smart Phones

A smart phone is a mobile phone with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a typical cellular phone. Early smart phones combined the functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a mobile phone or camera phone. Today's models also serve to combine the functions of portable media players, digital cameras, video cameras, and GPS navigation units.

Apple's iPhone and Google's Android based mobile phone.