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COMPUTER & DEVICE BASICS RESOURCES

Find tutorials, guides and resources to get started on a computer, smartphone, laptop, Chromebook, or tablet, along with popular services like email and Maps.

Start by exploring Skill Categories to find what's available, then search for the resources you need to succeed.

COMPUTER & DEVICE BASIC SKILL CATEGORIES

Click on a category to find online resources, and referrals to statewide organizations who offer in-person training and support services, all in one place.

COMPUTER & DEVICE BUYING GUIDES

Find recommended models and guides to find the right device for your needs.

Find the right desktop computer to meet your needs at home, work, school, or anywhere in between.

Find guides with recommended models and tips to find the right laptop to suit your needs.

Learn the differene between Android and iOS, then find recommended models and guides to find the right device for your needs.

Learn the difference between Android, Chromebook, and iOS tablets, and find guides to find the right device to suit your needs.

Learn the difference between laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks, then find the right Chromebook to suit your needs.

Find guides to buy the right keyboard, mouse, or combination keyboard and mouse.

Find guides to choose and properly set up the right devices for children of all ages.

Find guides to choose and properly set up computers or devices for older adults.

Learn about different screen resolutions, sizes, and other features, then find the right monitor for your situation.

Understand how ergonomic devices can prevent wrist, eye, and back strain, along with other health concerns, then find tech that works for you.

DESKTOP COMPUTER BASICS

Learn how to setup and use your desktop computer.

Find step by step guides and tips to setup your desktop computer.

Computer ports are how you connect different devices to your computer, or plug in flash drives to save files. Learn common types of computer ports, and the different cords you need to use these ports.

The computer tower is where the brain and power supply of your computer live. Learn how the tower works, and make sure you choose the right tower for your needs.

The computer monitor is the screen that allows you to see what the computer is doing. Explore different types of computer monitor and find what works for you.

Learn how to turn your computer on, off, or put it to sleep so all your stuff is ready and waiting when you wake the computer back up.

Learn how to connect and use your keyboard and mouse, then improve your typing skills as needed. Explore different keyboard and mouse options if the default equipment doesn't work well for you.

Learn how to clean your computer screen, keyboard and mouse the right way, and keep important parts of your computer updated regularly.

Set up child-safe settings if a child will have an account on the computer.

If you're curious, explore the history of computers, and how these machines have evolved into the computers we know today.

Explore a variety of ways the computer can open up new opportunities and make life easier at home, work, and everywhere in between.

LAPTOP BASICS

Learn how to setup and use your laptop.

Laptops are portable, but they do have to be charged regularly. Learn how to setup, charge, update and maintain your laptop.

Computer ports are how you connect different devices to your computer, or plug in flash drives to save files. Learn common types of computer ports, and the different cords you need to use these ports.

Learn how to turn your computer on, off, or put it to sleep so all your stuff is ready and waiting when you wake the computer back up.

Learn how to connect and use your keyboard and mouse, then improve your typing skills as needed. Explore different keyboard and mouse options if the default equipment doesn't work well for you.

Learn how to clean your computer screen, keyboard and mouse the right way, and keep important parts of your computer updated regularly.

Set up child-safe settings if a child will have an account on the computer.

If you're curious, explore the history of computers, and how these machines have evolved into the computers we know today.

Explore a variety of ways the computer can open up new opportunities and make life easier at home, work, and everywhere in between.

CHROMEBOOK BASICS

Learn how Chromebooks are different from laptops, then setup and get started with your Chromebook.

Chromebooks are portable, but they do have to be charged regularly. Learn how to setup, charge, update and maintain your Chromebook.

Computer ports are how you connect different devices to your computer, or plug in flash drives to save files. Learn common types of computer ports, and the different cords you need to use these ports.

Learn how to turn your computer on, off, or put it to sleep so all your stuff is ready and waiting when you wake the computer back up.

Learn how to connect and use your keyboard and mouse, then improve your typing skills as needed. Explore different keyboard and mouse options if the default equipment doesn't work well for you.

Learn how to clean your computer screen, keyboard and mouse the right way, and keep important parts of your computer updated regularly.

Set up child-safe settings if a child will have an account on the computer.

Explore similarities and differences between laptops and Chromebooks to find the right device for your needs.

KEYBOARD & MOUSE BASICS

Credit scores determine whether you can get a loan, and what type of loan. Learn what affects your credit and how you can improve your score.

Learn how to connect and use your computer keyboard. Take typing lessons and tests if you want to learn how to type on your keyboard.

Learn how to connect and use your computer mouse.

Set up an ergonomic computer workstation and explore ergonomic mice, keyboards, mousepads, and other tools.

If the default keyboard and mouse that came with your computer isn't comfortable or breaks over time, find the right equipment.

COMPUTER HARDWARE

You can connect hardware like printers, scanners, or webcams. Explore options, buying guides and other helpful resources.

You can add external speakers to your computer to improve audio quality, or be able to hear sound on computers without built-in speakers. Explore speakers and other audio system options for your computer.

Explore a wide variety of printer options, from simple document printers to specialized photo printers. Scanners to make copies of documents are sometimes combined with the printer, and sometimes sold separately.

Explore microphone options for basic Zoom calls to more advanced podcasting or video recording.

Explore webcam options for basic Zoom calls to more advanced video recording or live streaming.

Projectors are great for presentations or sharing your screen with large groups of people. Projector's can project your screen on a blank wall or a special screen display.

DATA STORAGE OPTIONS

Find out where files actually go when you save them to the computer, and some options to save files to external devices like flash drives.

Hard drives allow you to store information on a computer. This helps your computer turn on, run software, and save files. Hard drives can be internal or external, so you could get an additional hard drive to store more files.

Similar to hard drives, solid state drives also allow you to store information a computer, and can be internal or external. However, SSDs are faster and you can usually fit more on each drive. Learn more and explore options.

Flash drives, or thumb drives are a portable file storage device that can be plugged into a computer's USB port to save or transfer files.

SD cards are another portable device to store or transfer files and come in three sizes: full-size, mini, or micro. Commonly seen in digital cameras and smartphones, you can find SD cards that work well for regular files, videos, photos, or other media.

Learn how files can be stored 'on the cloud', understand privacy and security, explore popular tools, and get started on the cloud.

While it may be tempting to save everything in one place, it's easier to find things if you use folders and a file organization system for your documents, photos, videos, and other files. You'll also learn about different file types.

INTERNET BASICS

Learn how the internet works, get connected, navigate websites, and learn the difference between different web browsers.

Learn how the internet came to be, and how information is transmitted from "the internet" to your computer screen.

Explore different ways to connect to the internet, along with guides and recommended tools to connect securely and choose the right internet plans.

Websites contain lots of helpful information, including recipes, bus routes, and every imaginable topic. Learn how to open and navigate different websites on your computer.

Learn how search engines can help you find the right websites, and compare different search engine options.

Compare different web browser options, including private browsers, and learn how different websites work better on some browsers better than others.

Every website you visit is stored in your web history. Some websites use cahe files or cookies to load the website faster, store login or shopping cart information. Learn how it all works, how to delete history and clear cookies and cache.

EMAIL BASICS

Choose an email service provider and get started with email essentials.

Learn how to start an email account, choose an email address, send and receive emails, and other essential skills.

Start managing your contacts to send emails faster, and make the emails you receive are from trusted email addresses.

Find tools and tips to block spam email, identify and report suspicious emails.

Learn how to format emails when communicating professionally, with friends or family, or a range of other contexts.

Learn how to include links to websites and attach documents, images, and other files to your emails.

Explore email service options like Google, ProtonMail, Outlook, Yahoo, and other providers.

Learn how to organize your emails so you can find them later.

Explore additional features like email templates, read receipts, and how to schedule emails.

TABLET BASICS

Find setup guides for popular brands of tablet.

Find setup guides and resources to get the most out of your iPad.

Find setup guides and resources to get the most out of your Amazon Fire tablet.

Find setup guides and resources to get the most out of your Lenovo Tab.

Find setup guides and resources to get the most out of your Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Find setup guides and resources to get the most out of your Pixel Tablet.

Find guides and resources to choose the best tablet to suit your needs, from drawing and graphic design to student/ classroom use, gaming, or basic use.

ANDROID SMARTPHONE

Find setup guides, buying guides, and helpful resources to get the most out of your Android smartphone.

Use these guides to choose the right settings and make sure you're setting up your phone the right way.

Find the button to turn the phone off, on, and how to restart when needed.

Learn how to use a touch screen, open, add, navigate, and delete apps on your phone.

Learn how to use messaging apps, and explore different types of messaging apps you can use instead of the default app on your phone.

You can access email from a website on your phone, or using a special email app that works with your chosen email provider, like Gmail or Outlook. Find setup guides and resources.

A smartphone is still a phone. Learn how to make phone calls.

You can store people's contact information on your phone to make it easier to call, email, or send messages. Learn how to add, delete, or edit contacts.

Find guides and tips to take good photos and videos with the camera on your phone.

Find accessibility settings for blind or visually impaired, color blind, larger font sizes, and other helpful settings.

Find guides and settings to keep your personal information private.

Find a collection of helpful apps, tools, tips and tricks to get the most out of your phone.

Learn the differene between Android and iOS, then find recommended models and guides to find the right device for your needs.

IPHONE SMARTPHONE

Find setup guides, buying guides, and helpful resources to get the most out of your iPhone.

Use these guides to choose the right settings and make sure you're setting up your phone the right way.

Find the button to turn the phone off, on, and how to restart when needed.

Learn how to use a touch screen, open, add, navigate, and delete apps on your phone.

Learn how to use messaging apps, and explore different types of messaging apps you can use instead of the default app on your phone.

You can access email from a website on your phone, or using a special email app that works with your chosen email provider, like Gmail or Outlook. Find setup guides and resources.

A smartphone is still a phone. Learn how to make phone calls.

You can store people's contact information on your phone to make it easier to call, email, or send messages. Learn how to add, delete, or edit contacts.

Find guides and tips to take good photos and videos with the camera on your phone.

Find accessibility settings for blind or visually impaired, color blind, larger font sizes, and other helpful settings.

Find guides and settings to keep your personal information private.

Find a collection of helpful apps, tools, tips and tricks to get the most out of your phone.

Learn the differene between Android and iOS, then find recommended models and guides to find the right device for your needs.