Buttons and Ports

Every computer has its own unique set of buttons and ports. These are the physical interfaces that allow you to turn your computer on, connect it to power, and attach other devices called peripherals. In this section, we'll go over some of the most common buttons and ports you'll find, what they're used for, and how to recognize them.

Common Buttons

Power Button

This is the most universal button on any computer.

• Function: Turns the computer on and off.
• Appearance and Location: It's often marked with a power symbol (a circle with a vertical line). Depending on your computer, it could be located:
• On the front of a desktop computer case.
• On the back of the case.
• On the side of a laptop.
• Behind the screen on an all-in-one computer.

Common Ports

Power Socket / Charging Port

Function: This is where you connect the power cord to supply electricity to your computer.

Appearance and Location:

• On a desktop computer, you'll find a standard power socket on the back of the case.
• On a laptop, this is called a charging port. It's where you plug in the power adapter to charge the battery.

USB Port

Function: This is one of the most versatile and common ports. It's used to connect a wide variety of devices.

What you can connect: Keyboards, mice, printers, external hard drives, USB flash drives, webcams, and more.

Appearance and Location: Most computers have several USB ports. They are typically rectangular slots. You may also find USB-C ports, which are smaller and oval-shaped. USB-C is even more versatile and can be used for charging, data transfer, and connecting monitors.

Monitor Port (or Display Port)

Function: This port connects your monitor to your computer so you can see what's on the screen.

Appearance and Location:

• On a desktop computer, the monitor port is on the back of the computer case. There are a few types, including HDMI (trapezoidal shape) and DisplayPort (rectangular with one angled side).
• On a laptop, you can use a display port (often HDMI or USB-C) to connect a second external monitor.

Ethernet Port

Function: Allows you to connect to the internet using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. This can provide a more stable and faster connection in some cases.

Appearance and Location: It looks like a wider, rectangular version of a phone jack. It's usually located on the back of a desktop computer or on the side of a laptop. You'll need an Ethernet cable to connect it to your router or modem.

Audio Jack

Function: This is where you plug in wired devices for sound.

What you can connect: Headphones, earbuds, or external speakers.

Appearance and Location: It's a small, circular hole, often color-coded green. You can usually find it on the front or back of a desktop case or on the side of a laptop.

Disk Drive

Function: Used to read from (and sometimes write to) optical discs.

What it's for: CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.

Appearance and Location: This is a slim slot or a sliding tray on the front of a desktop computer case. Note: Disk drives are becoming much less common on newer computers, as most software and media are now downloaded or streamed.

Older Ports (PS/2)

Function: These were used for older keyboards and mice.

Appearance: Small, round ports, usually one purple (for keyboard) and one green (for mouse).

Note: You are unlikely to see these on a modern computer, but it's good to recognize them if you are working with older hardware.

Technology is always changing, so the exact number and type of ports on your computer may vary. The best way to get familiar with your machine is to take a closer look at the front, back, and sides to see what options you have.