detaches, allowing you to use the tablet PC’s touchscreen for input.
Laptop: The traditional portable computer, the laptop is a handy, lightweight package, ideal for slowing down the security checkpoints in airports. Laptop PCs work just like their desktop brethren; any exceptions are noted throughout this book.
Choosing the proper PC configuration depends on your needs. Power users love the expandability of the tower. Those on a budget may go for a mini-desktop. Folks on the go love laptops.
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✔ The two-in-one model is also called a tablet PC. It features an optional digital stylus for input, which is another handy and expensive thing to lose.
✔ More laptop, two-in-one, and tablet PC information is in my book Laptops For Dummies, 6th Edition (Wiley), available at fine bookstores wherever fine bookstores still exist.
✔ Not shown in Figure 2-2 is the tower console configuration. A taller version of the mini-tower, it boasts more internal expansion options. I’ve not seen this model for sale to the general public in a few years, but it’s still a confirmation option from some computer manufacturers.
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After many years, PC manufacturers discovered that it works best to put those items designed for you, the human, on the front part of the console. I’m not joking: Nearly everything you needed to connect to an early PC required that you pull the console away from the wall, crane your neck, and hope for the best. So consider yourself blessed and use Figure 2-3 as your reference as you go hunting for the following items:
Figure 2-3: Items of note on the front of the console.
Optical drive: Don’t worry if your PC lacks one of these storage devices; they’re being phased out. You can use the optical drive to read optical discs, CDs, and DVDs. The problem is capacity: These discs don’t store as much information as is needed for a modern computer.
Future expansion: Most consoles feature blank spots. They may look interesting or useful, but they’re not! They simply cover holes used for adding new hardware to your PC.
Media card slots: Use these slots to read media cards, such as those used by digital cameras and other portable electronics. Your PC may have only one media card reading slot. In Figure 2-3, you see the common 19-in-1 card reader, which accepts all media card formats.
Power button: No longer a plain on–off button, the power button can do more than just turn the computer on or off. See Chapter 4 for the details.
Lights: A staple of computers in the movies, the PC console may not have any lights. Some PCs have a power lamp, which illuminates when the system is on. A hard drive lamp may flicker as the mass storage device is accessed. That’s pretty much it.
Air vents: Air vents aren’t impressive, but they’re necessary. They keep the console cool by helping air circulate inside. The thing’s gotta breathe.
I/O panel: Your PC most likely features a clutch of various connectors somewhere on its front, covered by a door or not. Nestled in that area are places to connect joysticks, microphones, headphones, thumb drives, or other handy gizmos you may need to plug and unplug from time to time.
You might be lucky and find other fun and unusual items living on the front of your PC’s console. They’re probably particular to a certain computer brand or model. Consider them a bonus.
✔ Some newer computers have stickers that show the secret Windows code number or proclaim such nonsense as “I was built to run Windows Optimus Prime” or “An Intel hoohah lurks inside this box.”
✔ For more specific information on the connectors lurking behind a secret panel, see the section “The I/O panel,” later in this chapter.
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✔ The all-in-one type of PC features all its holes, switches, and slots on its sides or back.
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Just like an exotic dancer, the console’s backside is its busy side. That’s where you find various connectors for the many devices in your computer system: a place to plug in the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and just about any other gizmo you desire to have in your computer system.
Use Figure 2-4 as a guide for finding important items on the back of the PC’s console. Note that some things may look different and some may be missing; not every console is the same.
Figure 2-4: Important doodads on the back of the console.
Power: The console needs power, and the power connector is where you plug in the power cord. The other end of the power cord plugs into the wall.
Fan: Air gets sucked in here. Or it might be blown out. I forget which.
On-off switch: This isn’t a power button, it’s an on/off switch. Don’t use it to turn off the PC! Its purpose is to disable the power supply for troubleshooting or repair. Keep the switch in the On position. Not every PC features this switch.
Voltage selector: Use this switch to change power frequencies to match the specifications for your country, region, or planet. This switch is part of the power supply.
Expansion slots: These slots are available for adding new components on expansion cards to the console and expanding your PC’s hardware. Any connectors on the expansion cards appear in this area, such as the video connectors on a graphics adapter (refer to Figure 2-4).
Vents: The breathing thing again.
I/O panel: Aside from the power cord, and anything attached to an expansion card, the rest of your PC’s expansion options and plug-in-type things are located in a central area that I call the I/O panel. Details of what you can find there are covered in the next section.
To either help keep all
