Parts Of Computer Hardware

Having a computer and being able to work with it properly has become a necessity nowadays. We all need to use the computer for certain tasks that involve our work, our school or just our way of having fun. Being able to work properly with a computer includes the idea of knowing what you are actually doing while working with that computer. This is also because many times we find ourselves in the situation in which we encounter certain problems while working with our computers and it is absolutely necessary to overcome these problems in order to be able to continue working with our computers. In this respect, it is very important to become aware of certain elements which are very important to be analyzed and understood so that we might say that we know some things about the computer we are working with and we are able to solve certain problems that might interfere with our work. In this respect, the most basic notion that needs to be known is the fact that every computer consists of parts of computer hardware and software. What is very important is to be able to differentiate between the two types of computer parts and in this respect it is important to know that computer hardware deals with the components which can be seen and touched within the computer and the software deals with all the programs and instructions needed to be operated by the computer system in order to function.

Both the hardware and the software are very important computer components about which the user needs to learn the necessary element in order to be able to work properly with the computer. The hardware is considered to be the main computer part because even the software is dependent on it and it is vital for the computer to actually function. There are many computer hardware components and they are all important in determining the way in which the computer functions. This is why it is important for the most important elements to be known and understood because all of the hardware components are somehow connected between them or influence one another in one way or another and the computer system also. When discussing about computers it is important to mention at least some of the most important parts of computer hardware. In this respect, it is hard to decide which might be the four most important parts because they all have important functions which determine the performance of the computer and they all influence somehow one another.

Among the most important parts of computer hardware are considered to be the monitor, the motherboard, the central processing unit, the keyboard, the mouse, the random access memory, the hard drive, the CD drive, the DVD drive and many others. It is somehow impossible sometimes to discuss only about one of the many parts of computer hardware because they somehow always lead o other components as well. This is because they are either dependent on other components or they influence otherparts of computer hardware. In this way, when referring to one you might be led to discuss at least a few elements about another one from which the importance of the first component might also be revealed.



When discussing for example about the motherboard which is a very important part of computer hardware it is impossible not to discuss about the central processing unit and the random access memory as well because they are directly connected with the motherboard and the computer could not function without any of these components or in the case in which one of the components might not be functioning properly.  When discussing about any of the computer hardware components besides becoming aware of the place in which it can be found within the computer it is very important to learn about how it actually works and maybe which might be the possible reasons for which this component might not work properly in order to know how to recognize and know how to deal with a certain problem when you encounter it while working with your computer.

CD

DVD drives can do everything that CD drives can, plus read DVDs. If you have a DVD drive, you can watch movies on your computer. Many DVD drives can record data onto blank DVDs.

Floppy disk drive

Floppy disk drives store information on floppy disks, also called floppies or diskettes. Compared to CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a small amount of data. They also retrieve information more slowly and are more prone to damage. For these reasons, floppy disk drives are less popular than they used to be, although some computers still include them.
Floppy disk
Why are floppy disks "floppy"? Even though the outside is made of hard plastic, that's just the sleeve. The disk inside is made of a thin, flexible vinyl material

Mouse

A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Although mice come in many shapes, the typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse. It's small, oblong, and connected to the system unit by a long wire that resembles a tail. Some newer mice are wireless.

A mouse usually has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary button. Many mice also have a wheel between the two buttons, which allows you to scroll smoothly through screens of information.

When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same direction. (The pointer's appearance might change depending on where it's positioned on your screen.) When you want to select an item, you point to the item and then click (press and release) the primary button. Pointing and clicking with your mouse is the main way to interact with your computer. For more information, see 

Keyboard

A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like the keyboard on a typewriter, it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also has special keys:

• The function keys, found on the top row, perform different functions depending on where they are used.
• The numeric keypad, located on the right side of most keyboards, allows you to enter numbers quickly.
• The navigation keys, such as the arrow keys, allow you to move your position within a document or webpage.

You can also use your keyboard to perform many of the same tasks you can perform with a mouse. For more information, see 

Monitor

A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen. Like a television screen, a computer screen can show still or moving pictures.

There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors. Both types produce sharp images, but LCD monitors have the advantage of being much thinner and lighter. CRT monitors, however, are generally more affordable.

LCD monitor (left); CRT monitor (right)

Printer

A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. You don't need a printer to use your computer, but having one allows you to print e‑mail, cards, invitations, announcements, and other materials. Many people also like being able to print their own photos at home.

The two main types of printers are inkjet printers and laser printers. Inkjet printers are the most popular printers for the home. They can print in black and white or in full color and can produce high-quality photographs when used with special paper. Laser printers are faster and generally better able to handle heavy use.

Inkjet printer (left); laser printer (right)