A small graphic that represents a file, folder, or program. Double-click an icon to open it.

A Graphical User Interface, which is how most modern OSes and apps present themselves.

That little area, usually bottom-right on Windows, that holds status icons and background apps.

A text-based interface for running commands. Called Command Prompt on Windows, and Terminal on Mac.

Lets you precisely point at and interact with things on the screen. Gaming mice are a whole rabbit hole!

For typing and giving your computer commands. I’m a sucker for a nice mechanical keyboard.

The display screen. Comes in different sizes, resolutions, and panel types like LCD, LED, OLED.

The main circuit board everything else connects to. Think of it as the backbone of your system.

Where active programs and data get temporarily stored for quick access. More RAM means better multitasking.

Your computer’s long-term storage for files, programs, and the operating system itself.