PC and Mac

Personal computers come in two main styles: PC and Mac. Both are fully functional, but they have a different look and feel, and many people prefer one or the other.

PC: This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981. Other companies began creating similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Mac: The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company, Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system.

About this tutorial

This tutorial is designed to introduce you to the components of computers and the process of beginning to use them. We'll talk about operating systems, applications, and the cloud, as well as setting up and maintaining your computer safely. These topics will be useful to you whether you have a PC or a Mac. However, once you've learned the basics, you may want to check out one of our operating system-specific tutorials: Windows Basics or OS X Basics.