What is a computer?

    What is a computer? A computer is that thing on your desk that looks like a TV set illegally parked by a typewriter. It's basically a computer. But, because you may also have a computer on your wrist, in your car, or in the washing machine, we need to be more exact. What you have on your desk is really a PC. PC is a term IBM used to describe its first desk-sized computer. PC stands for personal computer.

    The word computer is a general term applied to the entire "family" of computing devices. Basically, a computer is like a super calculator （计算器） with a really big display. In addition to adding and subtracting numbers, the calculator also displays and manipulates （操作） text. This is what makes the computer useful to us non-math types.

    Computers range in variety and size, from the simple game-playing computers to advanced hand-held computers, larger portable computers, desk-sized models, and free-standing units that pull down more power than the Hoover Dam puts out during any given hour. Any of these things can be called a computer.