Lesson 1: Computer Hardware

Computer

• An electronic device capable of accepting data and manipulating its data into information according to instruction.

• An electronic device that manipulates information or “data”. It can store, retrieve, and process data.

Hardware

It is any part of your computer that has a physical structure.

Software

It is any set of instructions that tells hardware what to do.

Desktop Computer

• Designed for use at a desk or a table.

• Made up of separate components.

Laptop

Is battery or AC-powered personal computer that are more portable than desktop computers.

Server

A computer that “serves up” information to other computers on a network.

• An example of a computer program or device that accepts and responds to requests made by another program, known as a client.

Tablet

A mobile computing device designed to be held in one or two hands.

Smartphone

A cell phone that allows you to do more than make phone calls and text.

MAC

• Introduced in 1984

• It was the first widely sold personal computer with Graphical User Interface (GUI)

PC

This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981.

Motherboard

The main circuit board within a typical desktop computer, laptop, or server.

Motherboard Form Factors

The specification of a motherboard — the dimensions, power supply type, location oof mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc.

Random Access Memory

A hardware device that allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer.

• Is a volatile memory — requires power to keep data accessible.

Hard Disk

A non-volatile memory hardware that permanently stores and retrieves data on a computer.

• Lowest type of storage

Central Processing Unit

It is the hardware within the computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input or output operations of a system.

Power Supply Unit

Convert direct current (DC) power that your mother-board, drives, and other peripherals need.

Graphics Card

An expansion card which generates a feed of output images to a display.

Common IO Ports

A port is connector on a motherboard or on a separate adapter that allows a device to connect to a computer.