I have not come across any evidence that Charles Babbage thought of his engines as thinking machines or mechanical brains rather than just complex calculation and control devices, but if anyone knows otherwise, please post. The term "computer" originally just referred to a person who performs calculations or computes; calling the machines used by such people "computers" came later.
That other Charles (a.k.a. heir to the throne) apparently didn't think much of computers, refusing to use them even into his 60s.
Charles Babbage invented the computer as a device to process complex algorithms and calculations. It looked much different from the present day desktop PCs and had huge processor systems. THe link provided by Terry is actually quite interesting and I am sure it would provide you with the required answer.
To invent a computer requires changes in perspective, say of what thinking is and how certain thinking processes work. The computer was an extension of the mind, but of certain concepts of the mind. Never forget Byron's daughter in the process!