PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
Chapter One
Starting with the Basics
In This Chapter
Defining hardware, software, and peripherals
Identifying the common components of all PCs
Comparing desktop and laptop PCs
Understanding RAM and your PC's CPU
Defining the operating system
If your name is Hemingway or Faulkner or King, the first chapter is always
the toughest to write. For me, however, this chapter will be fun to write
because it tackles the basic questions, such as what components make up
your PC and why you need an operating system. You'll discover more about
the specific parts of your PC that determine how fast it is, and I also discuss
the pros and cons of choosing a laptop over a desktop PC.
If you're a hardware technician or a PC power user, you might decide to
eschew these basic concepts and move on ... and that's okay. But if you're
new to the world of IBM personal computers or you're going to buy your
first PC, this chapter is a great place to st ... read full excerpt from PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies ebook
