National Teaching and Learning Change ProgrammeInformation and Communication Technology: Dictionary

A desktop computer is used at a desk as a tool for the individual user, and has a full sized screen and keyboard. It needs a mains power supply. The box containing the central processor, disk drives and other storage sometimes provides the support for the monitor; however, the box may be in the shape of a tower designed to stand on the floor by a desk or be small enough to stand on the desk beside the monitor, when it is called a mini-tower.