Computer
Object information
Usage	Sending, receiving, and storing information
Owners	Dursley family

[Source]

A computer is a Muggle machine designed to interpret and carry out a string of operations inputted by the user, and is used to store and receive information, as well as for recreation (e.g. Internet, videogames etc) .^[1] The Dursleys owned a computer, which Dudley Dursley often played games on. A photograph at 4 Privet Drive depicted Dudley playing a computer game with his father and on his eleventh birthday in 1991, he received a new computer to replace the old one, as well as sixteen new computer games.^[2] It is possible that computers are a Muggle invention that cannot be fully duplicated with magic.^[3]

Computers are one of numerous devices that do not work in magical environments such as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry because they are powered by electricity.^[4]

Behind the scenes

• In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, a computer can be found in the Muggle Studies Classroom at Hogwarts Castle. Hitting it with a spell causes a minifigure head to appear on the screen with a loading bar, followed by the computer crashing into a Blue Screen of Death. This process produces Dudley Dursley's character token.
• According to Harry Potter series author J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter would get beaten up if he went too near to Dudley's keyboard. As such, he never used the Internet.^[5]

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First mentioned)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (First appearance)
• J. K. Rowling's Official Site (Mentioned only)

Notes and references