Get your bakery sales tracker or recipe book finished faster by understanding what your machine can really do. This lesson shows you the hardware (physical parts) and software (instructions) so you pick the right tool for every project step.

Warm-up (30 seconds): Look at your screen and device. What 3 physical parts can you name right now? Jot them down.

Whether you're tracking bakery sales, photographing recipes, or writing placement reports, you'll learn how your machine supports your Something Real project.

Hardware vs Software

• Hardware = physical parts you can touch: screen, keyboard, processor (CPU), memory (RAM), storage (SSD/HDD)
• Software = instructions that tell hardware what to do: operating system (Windows/macOS/Chrome OS), applications (Word, browser)

Device Comparison

Why this matters: Knowing your machine's strengths helps you plan your Something Real project workflow.

Follow these instructions to find your computer's specs. Note your CPU, RAM, storage type, and OS version. This information will help you understand what your machine can do for your project.

Create a 'My Machine' page for your Digital Portfolio using this template. Save in your portfolio folder from Lesson 1.

Example 'My Machine' Page:

Now create yours:

1. Create new document:
   • Microsoft Word: {{kbd:Ctrl+N}} → {{menu:File -> Save As}} → {{code:My Machine - [Your Name].docx}} in portfolio folder
   • Google Docs: Open Google Docs → {{btn:Blank}} → already autosaves → {{menu:File -> Move}} → portfolio folder in Drive
   • Pages: {{menu:File -> New}} → {{menu:File -> Save}} → {{code:My Machine - [Your Name].pages}}
2. Copy the headings and bullet structure from example above
3. Make main title large and bold like the example (select title text → click Bold button {{btn:B}} → increase font size using toolbar dropdown)
4. Make section titles medium and bold like example (select section text → click Bold {{btn:B}} → set font size 16-18pt)
5. Replace example specs with YOUR specs from Step 3
6. List 2 real strengths of your machine for project work
7. Project Fit paragraph: Write 1-2 sentences using these starters:
   • My [laptop/tablet] is perfect for my project because...
   • This helps me at my placement when I...
   • The [RAM/SSD/battery] means I can...

   Example using starters: My laptop is perfect for my project because it runs recipe videos while I type. The 8GB RAM means I can keep 10 recipe tabs open.

Success criteria:

• Title: 'My Machine — [Your Name]' (large and bold)
• All 5 specs listed with bullets
• 2 specific strengths (not just 'fast')
• 1-2 clear project fit sentences using a starter

Reflect (jot 1-2 sentences each):

• How does knowing your machine specs help plan your Something Real project?
• What surprised you about your computer's capabilities?

Common Issues

• Issue: Can't find Settings/About screen
  Solution: Use Windows+I, Apple menu, or Chrome time → gear icon
• Issue: Screen looks different from images
  Solution: Look for same words ('About', 'System', 'Specs')
• Issue: Older/newer software version
  Solution: Menu names stay similar across updates
• Issue: Can't find storage type on Windows
  Solution: Storage screen shows drive names (SSD/HDD). Total size also works.