Lab 01 · Intro to Computers · About 30 to 60 minutes
What's Inside Your Computer
You'll learn what each major part of a computer does, find those parts on your own machine, and watch them work. Along the way you'll complete 5 hands-on challenges, document your work, and write a professional lab report.
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Step 1
Before you begin
Locked
Three kinds of boxes show up throughout this lab. They always look the same:
- HintHelp if you get stuck. Searching the web or asking an AI is encouraged; check what it tells you against your own screen.
- ChallengeHands-on work you do yourself, then capture as evidence for your lab report. Tick the box when you have it.
- Quick checkA question to make sure it clicked. Unlimited tries, and every answer explains why.
Your progress saves in this browser as you go. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Step 2 · Lesson
A computer is a kitchen
Finish the step above to unlock this one.
Every part has a job, and a computer is only as fast as the part that is struggling most. Picture a restaurant kitchen:
| Part | Kitchen role | What it does | When it's too small or slow |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU (processor) | The chef | Does the thinking and calculating. More cores means more chefs working at once. | Everything feels sluggish, especially heavy tasks |
| RAM (memory) | The countertop | Holds whatever you're working on right now. Cleared when the power is off. | Slowdowns with many tabs or apps open |
| Storage (SSD or HDD) | The pantry | Keeps everything long term: files, apps, the operating system. | Slow startup (HDD), or "disk full" errors |
| GPU (graphics) | The pastry specialist | Handles images, video, games, and some AI work. | Choppy video, games, or editing |
| Motherboard | The kitchen layout | Connects every part so they can talk to each other. | Limits what you can upgrade |
| Power supply (PSU) | The gas and electric lines | Turns wall power into what the parts need. | Random shutdowns, or a dead computer |
Quick check
A chef with a tiny countertop keeps running back to the pantry. On a computer, this means:
Quick check
You restart your laptop. What gets cleared?
Step 3 · Task 1
Meet your own computer
Finish the step above to unlock this one.
Find these facts about the computer you use most:
- CPU model and number of cores
- Amount of RAM
- Storage type (SSD or HDD), total size, and free space
- GPU, or "integrated graphics"
- Operating system and version
Hint
Your system settings and your system monitor show most of this. Not sure where to look? Search "how to see computer specs on" plus your operating system, or ask an AI. Finding things on an unfamiliar system is a real IT skill.
Challenge 1 · Screenshot
A screen showing your CPU and RAM. Two screenshots are fine if they're on different screens.
Challenge 2 · Photo
A phone photo of your actual computer. The model label on the bottom of a laptop is perfect.
Quick check
A laptop has 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD with only 12 GB free. Which will most likely cause problems soon?
Step 4 · Task 2
Watch the parts work
Finish the step above to unlock this one.
Specs are just numbers until you see them move. Open your system monitor (the tool that shows live CPU and memory use) and keep it visible.
- Close everything else and note your memory use.
- Open 15 to 20 browser tabs with different sites, plus a video.
- Watch memory and CPU climb.
Hint
On Windows it's called Task Manager, on a Mac it's Activity Monitor. On anything else, search "system monitor" plus your operating system.
Challenge 3 · Screenshot
Your system monitor before opening the tabs.
Challenge 4 · Screenshot
Your system monitor after, with all the tabs open.
Quick check
Memory went from 45% to 85%, but the CPU barely changed. Why?
Step 5 · Task 3
Look inside a computer
Finish the step above to unlock this one.
Now connect the numbers to real hardware. Study the photos, then name each part.
Quick check
What is the part in Photo A?
Quick check
What is hiding under the cooler in Photo B?
Quick check
What is the part in Photo C?
Quick check
Many thin laptops have RAM soldered directly to the board. What does that mean for the owner?
Step 6 · Task 4
You're the IT person
Finish the step above to unlock this one.
Three people ask for your advice. Pick the best recommendation, and read the feedback either way.
Quick check
Maria, a nursing student, has a laptop with 4 GB of RAM and a hard drive (HDD). It takes 3 minutes to start and freezes with Zoom, email, and her online textbook open. She has $100. What should she do first?
Quick check
Devon wants to edit 1080p YouTube videos and has $900. Laptop A has a faster CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and integrated graphics. Laptop B has a slightly slower CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a dedicated GPU. Which fits better?
Quick check
Your grandparent uses email, Facebook, and video calls. A salesperson is pushing a $1,500 gaming laptop. Your advice?
Step 7 · Finish
Get your badge
Finish every step above to unlock your badge.
Connelly Labs badge
Hardware Explorer
Your name
Challenge 5 · Screenshot
Your badge, with your name showing.
Your lab report evidence
- Challenge 1: your CPU and RAM
- Challenge 2: your computer
- Challenge 3: system monitor before
- Challenge 4: system monitor after
- Challenge 5: your badge
Write it up
Put these images into a short lab report: what you set out to do, what you did, and what you found. The Start Here guide has a template and tips. Accuracy matters more than polish.