Computer Hardware
Computer hardware includes the physical parts or components of a computer, such as the central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphic card, sound card and motherboard. By contrast, software is instructions that can be stored and run by hardware.
Hardware is directed by the software to execute any command or instruction. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system.
A computer system consists of two major elements: hardware and software. Computer hardware is the collection of all the parts you can physically touch. Computer software, on the other hand, is not something you can touch. Software is a set of instructions for a computer to perform specific operations. You need both hardware and software for a computer system to work.
Some hardware components are easy to recognize, such as the computer case, keyboard, and monitor. However, there are many different types of hardware components. In this lesson, you will learn how to recognize the different components and what they do.
Let's start with the computer case. This is the metal enclosure that contains many of the other hardware components. It comes in various shapes and sizes, but a typical tower model is between 15-25 inches high. Want to know what's inside? Okay, go get a screwdriver and let's open it up. Seriously, if you are really into computers, the best way to learn is to actually get hands-on. To save us some time, however, have a look at this desktop computer case. A computer enthusiast replaced the metal side panel with a transparent one, so we can have a look inside. Although that photo looks pretty cool, it is a bit hard to recognize the individual components, especially with all the connecting wires running through it. This figure shows a more schematic version of a desktop computer, which makes it easier to point out the essential hardware components.
 |
The computer case contains a power supply unit to convert general-purpose electricity to direct current for the other components. The most critical component is the motherboard , a plastic board on which several essential components are mounted. This includes the central processing unit, or CPU, the main memory , and expansions slots for other hardware components. The internal hard disk drive serves as the mass storage device for data files and software applications. An optical disk drive (#7) makes it possible to read from and write CDs and DVDs. Other hardware components typically found inside the computer case (but not shown in the figure) are a sound card, a video card, and a cooling mechanism, such as a fan.
A computer system also needs input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse . To interact with a user, a computer system also needs a display device, such as a monitor.
The hardware components described so far result in a fully functional computer system. A user can provide input using the keyboard and the mouse, and the computer can process instructions, read and write information, and display the results on the monitor. Most present-day computer systems have additional hardware components to provide more functionality. These include input devices, such as a microphone and video camera, and output devices, such as speakers. These can be integrated into the other hardware components or connected as external devices.
Additional peripheral devices can be connected to the computer systems, such as an image scanner to input paper documents as digital files, a printer to print out documents, and an external hard disk drive for extra mass storage.
The hardware components described here are all part of a personal computer. Other types of hardware are needed for a computer network and for the infrastructure that supports the Internet, but those types of hardware are not covered here.
A computer system also needs input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse . To interact with a user, a computer system also needs a display device, such as a monitor.
The hardware components described so far result in a fully functional computer system. A user can provide input using the keyboard and the mouse, and the computer can process instructions, read and write information, and display the results on the monitor. Most present-day computer systems have additional hardware components to provide more functionality. These include input devices, such as a microphone and video camera, and output devices, such as speakers. These can be integrated into the other hardware components or connected as external devices.
Additional peripheral devices can be connected to the computer systems, such as an image scanner to input paper documents as digital files, a printer to print out documents, and an external hard disk drive for extra mass storage.
The hardware components described here are all part of a personal computer. Other types of hardware are needed for a computer network and for the infrastructure that supports the Internet, but those types of hardware are not covered here.
Comments
Post a Comment