Hardware Components of a Personal Computer

A computer is an integrated machine which is able to execute instructions automatically or perform specific logical operations automatically, depending on its configuration. Modern computers are able to perform a wide array of operations such as manipulating large amounts of data stored in a memory, processing instructions of a program and much more. Computers are used in various industries such as education, business, health care, and government. The main use of computers is to process information which is fed into the central processing unit or CPU. A computer system should have the capacity to store data, manipulate them, and run applications.

If you are looking to become a computer professional, you will need to develop some basic computer skills. This will require you to familiarize yourself with the hardware, operating systems, networking and software. Once you are familiar with the hardware, you may be able to install your own operating system and hardware. In order to gain better control over your operating system, you will need to acquire knowledge of the software which is also called software licensing.

Operating systems control the software on a computer. Each operating system has its own hardware and different versions of the same. To become familiar with the operating system, you should study its manual. Basic computer software consists of the following components, which include a storage device, a control device, a microprocessor, random access memory, hard drive space, input and output devices. These components make up the different parts of a computer.

The storage device holds the data that is organized in a database. The storage device is generally a floppy disk, CD-ROM, USB drive or other removable storage device. The storage device is used to store the files and data. Many modern computers come with a built-in CD-ROM drive but many people prefer to insert a blank CD or DVD for extra convenience.

Modern PC’s has more input and output (I/O) devices compared to the traditional desktop computer. I/O devices are those that allow a computer to communicate with external devices such as a mouse or printer. Output I/O devices are those that output information from the PC to an external display. Notebook computers are often equipped with built-in printers and scanners, while other types of computer are equipped with serial ports or parallel ports for connecting a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The computer input device connects a user with a keyboard, mouse or a trackball to a computing device. The input device is generally a mouse or a trackball. The input device is connected to the PC by a serial cable or a USB cable. The computer output device refers to a monitor, speakers, printer, tower-front input device or a USB port. A typical personal computer has four to five input devices, depending on the model.