What is a computer?

Bit wondered with the title kya?. Its been a long time since I visited my home, so I decided to go for Ugadi vacation. My Idea pad accompanied me. After 12hrs of journey from Bangalore, I reached Nandyala and it is still 15km far from my lovely home. After reaching home, I opened up my idea pad in front of my father, then he asked me what is it? I said it is laptop. I also said it is smaller version of computer which you observe in banks. Then he asked what does it do? I said it can do anything. He again asked what does it do? I have given the same banking example and started explaining about different applications (confused face) with which we can chat, email browse, watch movies, listen to songs, play CD/DVD etc. Out of which I am sure, he would not have understood anything except CD/DVD playing. I also said if we have Internet, we can do anything.

BTW, my father is a retired head master who taught English and maths to Higher Secondary School Students. I am postgraduate in Computer Science and Engineering.

So how would you explain what a COMPUTER is to a layman? If you have any better answer.........plz do send me.............