Look Inside Your Computer
What We'll Learn
Three important components inside your computer
How to check "under the hood" of your computer
Using this information to buy a computer
This video describes what goes on inside a computer:
Knowing a bit about these three parts is important to understand how your computer works. It's also helpful when comparing computers when considering a purchase. Often, if you purchase a software program, it will specify the minimum requirements and refer to these aspects of your computer.
CPU - The Brain Central Processing Unit - Controls and manages all the activity
Measured by size and speed (Hertz = Cycles per second)
Hard Disk Drive - Filing Cabinet
Stores all the information on your computer
Measured by storage size (Bytes = space required to store a single letter)
RAM - Workbench
Random Access Memory - Temporary working area for information in use
Measured by storage size (Bytes = space required to store a single letter)
It's helpful to know a bit about the Metric System when talking about these three items.
You can easily learn a little about the details of the CPU and storage in your computer. Here's how:
For Windows XP
Click on Start
Right-mouse-click on My Computer
Click on Properties
You will see the CPU speed and amount of RAM similar to the picture below:
Windows Vista / Windows 7.0
Click on Start Icon
Right-mouse-click on Computer
Click on Properties
The screen with similar information is pictured below:
Knowing about these three parts is very helpful if you are buying a new computer. Let's have a look:
Open Internet Explorer
Go to www.staples.ca
Search for Computers and click Go
Observe how the computers are described - Identify the three components in the descriptions
Pick a computer you might like to buy
Use Google Search to search for the following:
Computer Brand and Model Reviews (replace the Computer Brand and Model with the specifics from your ad)
Read what others say about this computer