PCs For Dummies, 13th Edition

Chapter 2

The PC Knobs, Buttons, and Doodads Tour

In This Chapter

Looking at the basic PC hardware

Recognizing different types of PCs

Perusing items on the console

Locating PC connectors, holes, and jacks

Using helpful symbols and colors

If I were to use one word to describe the typical PC design, that word would be uninspired. Face it: The PC is a box. It’s not aerodynamic or sleek or award-winning. No one will confuse a PC sitting on your desk with modern art. People in the year 2045 won’t hang posters of early 21st century PCs on their walls. Sad, but true.

Forgiving its utilitarian look, it’s important to identify some of the basic parts of a computer system, as well as know the purpose behind the many buttons, holes, nooks, and crannies that festoon the plain, dull tin can known as a PC.

The Big Picture

Figure 2-1 shows a typical personal computer system. It may not match what you have, because I’m trying to label the pieces and not stalk you.

Figure 2-1: A typical computer ...