PCs For Dummies

Dan Gookin

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9781119041788
• Edition: 13
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Hardware
• Index: Computer Science

The bestselling PC reference on the planet—now available in its 13th edition

Completely updated to cover the latest technology and software, the 13th edition of PCs For Dummies tackles using a computer in friendly, human terms. Focusing on the needs of the beginning computer user, while also targeting those who are familiar with PCs, but need to get up to speed on the latest version of Windows. This hands-on guide takes the dread out of working with a personal computer.

Leaving painful jargon and confusing terminology behind, it covers Windows 10 OS, connecting to and using services and data in the cloud, and so much more. Written by Dan Gookin, the original For Dummies author, it tells you how to make a PC purchase, what to look for in a new PC, how to work with the latest operating system, ways to protect your files, what you can do online, media management tips, and even basic topics you're probably too shy to ask a friend about.

• Determine what you need in a PC and how to set it up
• Configure your PC, hook up a printer, and connect to the Internet
• Find your way around Windows 10 OS with ease and confidence
• Play movies and music, view photos, and explore social media

If you're a first-time PC user at home or at work or just need to brush up on the latest technological advancements, the new edition of this bestselling guide gets you up and running fast.

Part I

Hello, PC!

Visit www.dummies.com for exciting online content.

In this part …

Discover what a PC is and what it can do

Explore the various parts of a computer

Set up and configure a PC

Cope with turning a computer on or off

Chapter 1

What Is This Thing, This PC?

In This Chapter

Answering some common PC questions

Understanding basic computer concepts

Knowing about hardware and software

Buying a computer

Realizing that your PC is quite dumb

Iwish that computers were evil. It would be easier to understand the computer if it were upfront about being evil and expressed its malevolent desire to get you. Minus that negative assurance, you end up operating the PC under a constant suspicion. That’s not healthy. So instead of fearing, try understanding. Maybe Mr. PC isn’t so bad after all?

Some Quick Questions to Get Out of the Way

Doubtless, your mind is abuzz with various questions about computers. I ask myself computer questions often, so don’t think that your curiosity is unusual. Trust me: Few people over the age of 26 are comfortable when first encountering anything high-tech.

“What is a PC?”

A PC is a computer — specifically, an acronym for personal computer.

Historically, the beast was known as a microcomputer. That’s because back in the 1970s, computers were huge, room-sized things that required legions of bespectacled scientists to operate. Individuals didn’t own such computers — well, unless you were eccentric or enjoyed printing your own phone bill. So mere mortals were sold a smaller version, which the Computer Professionals Union insisted be called a microcomputer.

Micro means teensy. The term is preferred by computer scientists because you can’t wear a white lab coat and be taken seriously when you use the word “teensy.”

Actually, the term micro comes from microprocessor, the main computer chip inside the early personal computers.

When IBM unveiled its first business microcomputer back in 1982, they called it the IBM Personal Computer — or PC, for short. All of today’s personal computers are descended from that original model, so they’ve inherited the term PC. Figure 1-1 displays a timeline of the PC’s history, in case you’re curious.

Figure 1-1: Timeline of the personal computer.

The only PC that’s not called “PC” is Apple’s Macintosh computer. Mac users refer to their computers as Macs. That’s based on an old IBM–Apple rivalry that no one cares about any more. Still, many Mac users get all huffy when you call their computers PCs. So it’s fine by me to tease those crybabies by referring to their expensive toys as PCs.

• The term PC generically refers to any computer that can run the Windows operating system.
• Although your car or sewing machine or the machine that goes “boop” at the hospital may contain computer electronics, those devices are not PCs.
• Curiously, IBM got out of the PC manufacturing business in the early 2000s.
• 

  The success of the PC is based on its use of off-the-shelf parts that are easily replaced. The PC can also be configured and upgraded with ease, which is the main reason that it’s so popular.

“Why not just use a tablet or smartphone instead of a PC?”

Sure, you can get by in today’s well-connected, digital world by getting yourself a tablet or smartphone. To hell with computers!

Smartphones and tablets can send and receive email, browse the web, play games, and do all sorts of interesting things. They have several downfalls when compared with PCs:

• Mobile devices are designed for data consumption, not data production. If you’re merely passing through this digital life, you can get by with a phone or tablet and never own a PC. If you need to create something, you need a computer.
• PCs offer several input devices — specifically, the keyboard and the mouse. You can even add a touchscreen to a PC, if you’re into that touchy-tappy-swipey stuff.
• Mobile devices lack the expandability of a PC. You can upgrade a PC, adding more storage, memory, a better monitor, a mouse with 20,000 buttons, and so on.
• The typical computer lasts for years. A mobile device is usually replaced every other year.

Now, if you’ve changed your mind about getting a PC, remember that you cannot return this book once you’ve started reading this material.

“Should I buy a Dell?”

I get this question all the time, though “Dell” might be replaced by some other brand name. See the later section “Buy Yourself a PC!”

“Will my computer explode?”

This question is important, so please skip all the other questions I’ve placed before this question and read this question first!

If you’re a fan of science fiction television or film, you’re probably familiar with the concept of the exploding computer. Sparks...