If you need a laugh

[Lennart Sorensen]

On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 02:26:24PM -0500, Tyler Aviss wrote:
> I hear that one a fair bit, but more often it's the use of CPU to
> refer to the computer as a whole. I've had people get angsty at me for
> calling the unit as a whole a "PC" :-)
> Ever tried explaining the different between a computer, CPU, RAM, and
> hard-disk to a non-technical person? What's the best explanation
> you've found?

It's a computer.  Inside it there may be CPUs, memory, harddisks, etc,
but the whole thing is a computer.

> PC/Desktop/Computer/Laptop: The whole computer

Exactly.  The monitor might be built in to the computer, or it might be
next to it.  In some cases it may look more like the computer is built
into the screen, but oh well.

> CPU=The brain of the computer. It has to be fast enough to run your programs
> LCD/monitor=The TV-like part
> RAM/Memory=Where the computer holds programs while they're running. It
> gets erased when the computer is reset or turned off. Large programs
> need to be able to fit into this while your computer is running.
> Hard Drive=Where your computer holds (semi) permanent information such
> as installed programs or saved documents/movies/music/etc. It is not
> deleted when your computer is turned off, and space is consumed as you
> install more programs or save/download more documents

Yeah, that's usually how it works.  Not always, but usually.

-- 
Len Sorensen
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