Computer Basics

What this topic covers

Most of us use a computer every day, yet buying a new one or fixing a problem can leave you unsure where to start. This topic splits the basics of choosing, using and maintaining a computer into seven guides. None of them recommends a particular product or model. Instead they explain what the numbers on a spec sheet mean and how to narrow down the cause when something goes wrong. Whether you are buying your first machine, frustrated with a sluggish one, or want to try an upgrade yourself, start with whichever guide fits.

• Choosing: reading laptop specs, monitor resolution and refresh rate
• Using: keyboard shortcuts, organising files and folders
• Maintaining: checking a slow PC, safe upgrades, avoiding malware

Three parts are enough to understand

A spec sheet lists dozens of items, but three of them largely decide how fast a computer feels. The processor (CPU) is the brain that does the calculating, memory (RAM) is the desk where your current work sits, and storage (SSD or HDD) is the drawer where files are kept. A small desk means constantly opening and closing drawers, and a slow drawer means waiting whenever you fetch anything. That is why a machine with too little memory or a hard disk feels slow even with a good processor. The graphics processor (GPU) matters for games, video editing and 3D work; for documents and the web, the graphics built into the processor is often enough.

Reading order

If you plan to buy, read the laptop and monitor guides first. If your current computer is the problem, start with the guide on checking a slow machine. If the cause looks like full storage, move to the file organisation guide; if a part needs replacing, go to the upgrade guide. Shortcuts and malware prevention are useful in any situation, so read them whenever you have time.

Common misconceptions

The most common one is that bigger numbers always mean faster. Core counts and clock speeds cannot be compared directly across generations and designs, and a laptop chip with the same name may perform differently because of power limits. Beyond a certain amount, extra memory brings no noticeable gain. People also tend to suspect a virus first when a computer slows down, but piled-up startup programs, full storage or dust blocking the cooling are far more common causes. Installing several cleaner or optimiser programs can itself make things slower.

• Do not compare chips from different generations by cores and clock alone
• Add memory when you run short; more is not automatically faster
• Slowdowns come from settings, space and heat more often than malware

Updates and backups come first

The two habits with the biggest payoff are keeping the operating system and programs up to date, and keeping a second copy of important files somewhere else. Updates contain many fixes for security holes, not just new features, so every postponement leaves you exposed to known attacks for longer. A backup is the last safety net against failure, loss and ransomware alike. The backup guide in the free web tools topic covers methods in detail.

What to do yourself and what to hand over

Trimming startup programs, freeing up space, or adding memory or storage are jobs most people can do by following the manual. Opening a power supply, handling a swollen battery, or repairing a screen or circuit board carries a risk of shock or fire or needs special tools, so a service centre is the safer choice. If the warranty is still valid, opening the case may affect it, so check the manufacturer's warranty terms first.

Things to keep in mind

These guides explain general principles and checking orders. Menu names, shortcuts and setting locations differ between operating systems and versions, and part compatibility varies by product, so check the manufacturer's manual and official guidance before you start. Formatting a drive or reinstalling the operating system cannot be undone, so always back up first.

The seven guides in this topic

Read them in order, or pick just the one you need right now.

• Choosing a laptop: reading CPU, memory and storage
• What to check when your computer slows down
• Keyboard shortcut basics
• Organising files and folders
• Choosing a monitor: resolution and refresh rate
• PC building and upgrade basics, with safety
• Habits that keep malware out