Computers

Computers are sophisticated electronic devices widely used in the Muggle world for processing data, communication, and a vast array of other tasks. Within the wizarding world, they are almost entirely absent. This is primarily because computers, and all devices that rely on electricity, are known to malfunction in areas with high concentrations of magic, such as Hogwarts Castle. Furthermore, the wizarding community is largely self-sufficient, possessing magical methods for communication, research, and data storage that they consider superior to Muggle technology.

The general wizarding population displays a profound lack of knowledge regarding computers and other forms of advanced Muggle technology. This stems from a cultural separation and a reliance on magical equivalents for everyday tasks.

• General Ignorance: Most witches and wizards, particularly those from Pure-blood families like the Weasleys or Malfoys, would have no practical understanding of what a computer is or how it functions. Their education at Hogwarts does not cover modern Muggle technology, with Muggle Studies class focusing more on the social and cultural aspects of Muggle life from a wizarding viewpoint.
• Muggle-born Awareness: Muggle-born witches and wizards, such as Hermione Granger, are fully aware of computers from their life before Hogwarts. However, they are forced to abandon their use upon entering the magical world due to the incompatibility between magic and electricity.
• Specialist Interest: A few wizards, like Arthur Weasley, show a keen interest in Muggle artifacts. However, his fascination is often with more rudimentary items like plugs and batteries, and his understanding of their function is elementary. This highlights the deep technological gap between the two worlds.

The fundamental reason computers are not used in the wizarding world is their direct incompatibility with magic. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hermione Granger explicitly states that Muggle electronic devices cannot function at Hogwarts. When discussing how Rita Skeeter might be spying on private conversations, Harry Potter suggests the castle could be “bugged.” Hermione dismisses this possibility, explaining: “…all those substitutes for magic Muggles use — electricity, and computers and things — they all go haywire around Hogwarts, there’s too much magic in the air.” This principle confirms that the ambient magic in heavily enchanted locations like Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic, or wizarding homes like The Burrow interferes with the delicate electronic circuits necessary for a computer to operate.

• J.K. Rowling has explained that she deliberately kept most modern technology out of the wizarding world to preserve its distinct charm and to create a different set of challenges for her characters. (J.K. Rowling interview)
• On the Pottermore website, it was further elaborated that wizards do not feel the need for computers. They possess magical tools that fulfill similar functions, often with greater ease or utility. For example, instead of word processors, they use enchanted quills like the Quick-Quotes Quill. For research, they have vast magical libraries and devices like the Pensieve, and for communication, they use Owl Post, the Floo Network, and Patronus messengers. (Pottermore)