Find a PC that fits

Do your best learning, working, and playing with a Windows 10 PC. Find one that fits your style and budget.

Discover the benefits of a new PC

When it comes to a PC with an SSD vs. one with an HDD, some things are just better.

Up to 4x faster Up to 4x faster

1 «>Redefine your sense of speed. PCs with SSDs: 4x faster on average than HDDs. 1 Redefine your sense of speed. PCs with SSDs: 4x faster on average than HDDs. 1

Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ² Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ²

2 «>Because SSDs consume less power, you get longer battery life—on average, eight-plus hours of video playback. 2 Because SSDs consume less power, you get longer battery life—on average, eight-plus hours of video playback. 2

Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0 Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0

1 «>Share moments in moments. Copy large files like home videos from USB 3.0 drives 37.9% faster on average with a solid-state drive. 1 Share moments in moments. Copy large files like home videos from USB 3.0 drives 37.9% faster on average with a solid-state drive. 1

Install Windows Updates 3x faster Install Windows Updates 3x faster

1 «>Windows Updates: Install them 3x faster (on average) with a solid-state drive. 1 Windows Updates: Install them 3x faster (on average) with a solid-state drive. 1

Get started with PC hardware basics

Learn about key PC hardware components so that you can make informed decisions when shopping for a new device.

What is it?

SSD is a type of storage drive similar to a traditional hard disk drive (HDD).

Why does it matter?

Without moving parts, SSDs are thinner, faster, and more durable than HDDs, allowing for smaller PCs with greater battery life. 2

What is it?

RAM is your PC’s “working” memory.

Why does it matter?

It helps with performance when doing things like running apps and browser tabs. More RAM means you can do more things at the same time.

What is it?

The brain of your PC. It tells the other components in it what to do.

Why does it matter?

It performs the instructions the operating system tells it to. Without it, your PC doesn’t run.

What is it?

It helps your PC do graphics-intensive tasks, like photo or video editing and games.

Why does it matter?

It frees your CPU for other tasks, allowing for better performance.

Discover the latest PC innovations

From powerful productivity and security to thinner devices with stunning touch screen displays, Windows 10 PCs provide what you need to get the job done. 3

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo

HP Spectre x360 15

Lenovo Yoga C940

Browse by PC type

If you’re still unsure on where to begin, starting with the PC type will give you a wide range to choose from.

Thin, light laptops

It’s everything you love and more—portability, power, and the latest in processors.

Desktops & All-in-Ones

Get the muscle you need for demanding tasks without sacrificing style.

Versatile 2-in-1s

2-in-1s provide power and flexibility. Touch, type, click, or pen—choose whatever fits your style.

Gaming PCs

A Windows 10 gaming PC gives you more power, more features and more games.

Exercise 3. What do you think these abbreviations mean?

Exercise 4. Find the synonyms of the given words.

speed, data, to perform, to get, to carry out, rate, to select, screen, to receive, picture, to show, to take in, image, information, to display, monitor, to put in, to choose.

Exercise 5. Read the text, translate it and answer the questions.

Computer

Computer is a machine that takes in information or data, performs a sequence of reasonable operations on the received information and puts out answers.

The parts of a computer you can touch, such as a monitor or a Central Processing Unit are hardware. All hardware except the CPU and the working memory are called peripherals. Computer programs are software. The operating system (OS) is software that controls the hardware. Most computers run the Microsoft Windows OS. MacOS and Linux are other operating systems.

The CPU controls how fast the computer processes data, or information. We measure its speed in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). The higher the speed of the CPU, the faster the computer will run. You can type letters and play computer games with a 500 MHz CPU. Watching movies on the Internet needs a faster CPU and a modem.

We measure the Random Access Memory (RAM) of the computer in megabytes (MB). RAM controls the performance of the computer when it is working and moves data to and from the CPU. Programs with a lot of graphics need a large RAM to run well. The hard disk stores data and software programs. We measure the size of the hard disk in gigabytes (GB).

Computer technology changes fast, but a desktop PC (Personal Computer) usually has a tower, a separate monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. The CPU, modem, CD-ROM and floppy disk drives are usually inside the tower. A notebook is a portable computer with all these components inside one small unit. Notebooks have a screen, not a monitor, and are usually more expensive than desktops with similar specifications.

Exercise 6. Answer the questions to the text.

1. What is a computer?

2. What does computer do?

3. What is the CPU?

4. What operating systems do computers run?

5. How do we measure computer’s speed?

6. How do we measure computer’s memory?

7. What is the job of the hard disk?

8. Are the floppy disk drives inside the tower?

9. Do notebooks have a monitor?

10. Are desktop computers cheaper than notebooks?

Exercise 7. Find in the text all the nouns used in plural.

Exercise 8. Make up the plural of the following nouns.

technology, disk, memory, software, screen, speed, tower, information, mouse.

Exercise 9. Write down the following word combinations in possessive case.

память компьютера, компьютерный экран, компьютерные устройства, особенности программ.

Exercise 10. Explain the usage of articles.

1. Computer programs are software.

2. Watching movies on the Internet needs a faster CPU and a modem.

3. Computer is a machine that takes in information or data, performs a sequence of reasonable operations on the received information and puts out _ answers.

Exercise 11. Make up the following sentences negative.

1. Notebooks have a screen, not a monitor.

2. The CPU controls how fast the computer processes data, or information.

3. We measure the Random Access Memory (RAM) of the computer in megabytes (MB).

Exercise 12. Make up the following sentences interrogative.

1. CD-ROM and floppy disk drives are usually inside the tower.

2. RAM controls the performance of the computer when it is working and moves data to and from the CPU.

3. Programs with a lot of graphics need a large RAM to run well.

4. We measure the size of the hard disk in gigabytes.

Exercise 13. Retell the text.

Exercise 14. Prepare the story about your PC.

Topic «Types of computers ».

Vocabulary.

Grammar: Degrees of comparison of adjectives.

Exercises.

Exercise 1. What kinds of computers do you know? What are they used for?

Exercise 2. Vocabulary to the text.

Handheld – переносной, карманный, портативный

According to – согласно чему-либо

Power – сила, мощность

Powerful – сильный, мощный

Typewriter – пишущая машинка

Amounts of data – количество данных

To compute – считать, вычислять

Property – свойство, особенность

Numerical measurements – числовые измерения

Exercise 3. Read the text, translate it and answer the questions.

Types of computers

A computer is a device that takes in data, processes it according to a program, and then outputs the processed data in some form. There is an increasing variety of computers of different sizes and designed for different purposes. One of the most important considerations when buying a computer is deciding how it is going to be used.

The modern computers are of three types called analog, digital and hybrid. An analog computer computes by using physical analogs of numerical measurements. A digital computer computes by using the numbers (digits) and yeses and noes expressed usually in 1’s and 0’s. A hybrid computer is a machine which combines some of the properties of digital and analog.

Computers can be divided into three broad categories: mainframe computers, minicomputers, and microcomputers. Mainframes are large, powerful, expensive computers that are operated by a team of professionals and are designed to be used by many people at the same time. The most powerful mainframes are sometimes called supercomputers.

Minicomputers are really cut-down mainframes and are no longer very common.

The most common type of computer is the microcomputer. Microcomputers are sometimes called personal computers. There is an increasing variety of portable microcomputers that can be grouped according to their size. However, as computers get smaller, it becomes more difficult to use them with a keyboard.

Computer Basics —

Understanding Operating Systems

Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems

Lesson 8: Understanding Operating Systems

What is an operating system?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

Watch the video below to learn more about operating systems.

Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.

The operating system’s job

Your computer’s operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.

Types of operating systems

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the operating system that comes with their computer, but it’s possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system’s GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

Check out our tutorials on Windows Basics and specific Windows versions for more information.

macOS

macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).

According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over Windows.

Check out our macOS Basics tutorial for more information.

Linux

Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it’s relatively easy to customize.

To learn more about different distributions of Linux, visit the Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora websites, or refer to our Linux Resources. For a more comprehensive list, you can visit MakeUseOf’s list of The Best Linux Distributions.

Operating systems for mobile devices

The operating systems we’ve been talking about so far were designed to run on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and Google Android . In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.

Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren’t as fully featured as those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren’t able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.

To learn more about mobile operating systems, check out our Mobile Devices tutorials.