Basic Computer Terms

Hardware

The physical parts of a computer

CPU

Central processing unit; the brain of the computer; controls the other elements of the computer

Disk Drive

A peripheral device that reads and/or writes information on a disk

Hard Drive

A device (usually within the computer case) that reads and writes information, including the operating system, program files, and data files

Keyboard

A peripheral used to input data by pressing keys

Modem

A peripheral device used to connect one computer to another over a phone line

Monitor

A device used to display information visually

Mouse

A peripheral device used to point to items on a monitor

NIC

Network interface card; a board inserted in a computer that provides a physical connection to a network

Printer

A peripheral device that converts output from a computer into a printed image