Lesson 0.0.1 — Parts of a computer/laptop and turning it on/off

Welcome! 👋

If you have never used a computer before — that is completely normal. Every developer started here one day. In this lesson we won't rush. We'll go slowly, step by step. A computer is not a magic box — it's simply a machine that carries out commands. You control it; it obeys you.

Let's get acquainted first.

Types of computers

There are two main types:

• Laptop (notebook) — foldable, portable. The screen, keyboard, and touchpad are all in one.
• Computer (PC / desktop) — sits on a desk. The screen (monitor), keyboard, and mouse are separate parts.

Both work the same way. We'll mostly talk using the laptop as an example, because it's more common. Even if your computer is a PC, the concepts are the same.

The main parts of a laptop

When you open a laptop you'll see the following:

1. Screen (display) — the top part. Everything shows up here — like a TV.
2. Keyboard — the buttons on the lower part. We type with these (in detail next lesson).
3. Touchpad — the smooth rectangular area below the keyboard. Sliding a finger across it moves the cursor (arrow) on the screen. It replaces the mouse.
4. Power button — the button that turns the laptop on. Usually in the top corner of the keyboard or on the side. It has this symbol on it: ⏻
5. Ports — the holes on the sides. The charger, USB (flash drive), headphones, and other things plug into these.
6. Charger (adapter) — plugs the laptop into power and charges it.

💡 Analogy: a laptop is like a car. The screen is the windshield (you see), the keyboard and touchpad are the wheel and pedals (you control), the power button is the key (you start it), the charger is the fuel.

Turning the computer on

1. Make sure the charger is connected (plug it into power the first time).
2. Press the power button (⏻) once and release it. Don't hold it down!
3. Wait a few seconds. The screen lights up, the computer "wakes up" (this is called booting).
4. Wait a bit — some computers turn on quickly, others more slowly. That's normal.
5. When the desktop (wallpaper, small icons) appears on screen — ready! The computer is on.

Turning the computer off (very important!)

You must turn the computer off correctly — don't "force" it off by holding the power button (that's only for when the computer freezes, as a last resort). The correct way:

1. Click the menu button in the corner of the screen (on Windows — the ⊞ symbol at the bottom left).
2. Find the Power symbol.
3. Choose "Shut down".
4. The computer finishes all its work, then turns off.

⚠️ Why does it matter? If you shut down correctly, the computer saves open files and turns off safely. If you force it off, data can be lost or corrupted. Make it a habit: always shut down through the menu.

Sleep mode

Sometimes, instead of shutting down, you just close the laptop lid — it goes to sleep (it doesn't turn off, but "sleeps"). Open the lid and it wakes up quickly. This is handy for short breaks.

Don't be afraid, you won't break it! 🙂

Many beginners are afraid they'll "press something and break it." Relax: you can't break a computer by pressing ordinary buttons. The worst that happens — some window opens, you close it, done. Learn freely, try things out. Mistakes are part of learning.