TV or computer monitor

[Thlorian]

Raw newbie here. Ok, once I copy the rasp os to my SD card, and pop the SD card into the rpi, do I connect the rpi to my computer via hdmi to monitor? And if I do so, I assume once the is starts, it will "replace" my windows desktop screen? Or do I need to buy a small hdmi tv to do this? Thx...

[rpdom]

The Pi is a computer. The same as any other computer you normally use it by plugging in a screen, keyboard and possibly a mouse.

Once an Operating System (NOOBS is an Operating System Chooser and Installer, not an Operating System) is installed you can connect to the Pi remotely over a network from another computer and use the screen and keyboard from that.

[ThomasS]

If your monitor has an HDMI input, you can use it. All relatively modern TV screens will also work. You can also setup the Pi with a screen temporarily and then connect to it via remote desktop from another computer.