The different types of computer hardware
4 min read
Computer Hardware refers to an information system’s electronic and mechanical elements, including printers, computers, and scanners. The term applies to a wide variety of computers, including.
- Mainframe computers: These are computers that offer high-processing capacity and data storage to many users, usually hundreds or thousands of users working from terminals.
- Supercomputers, this is a term used to refer to the fastest computers available and mostly applied in scientific applications that are highly demanding.
- Workstations are mainly applied in fields that are computationally intensive such as engineering. They offer individual users with high-level performance.
- Mobile devices include cellular telephone and personal digital assistants.
- Servers are computers with a large data storage capacity and make it possible for users to share applications, software, and files. However, the processing itself will not happen on the servers but the machine of the user.
- Personal computers include notebook computers and laptops and have a connected keyboard, monitor, and CPU. They have advanced into a flexible and convenient business tool that can operate independently or in a more extensive organizational network.
Technology is advancing, and increasingly wearable devices are becoming common in security, embedded systems, and medical applications. When buying a computer, you must know its different hardware components to ensure that you choose one with the right specifications. Looking at online reviews can help find a computer with the right specifications. You can always look out for UKCollectedReviews, to find reputable sites that you can buy a computer or even a computer hardware part. OnBuy reviews can also prove helpful. This article goes through the main hardware parts of a computer.
Keyboard
This computer hardware offers input text command to the computer. Typically information entered through a keyboard is displayed on the monitor. The keyboard was modeled based on the typewriter, and the layout has majorly remained the same. Ironically the QWERTY layout design’s original aim was to slow down the operator so that the typewriter keys would not get stuck against each other. Today the layout works counterproductively as the modern computer can process the input from the keyboard many times faster more than even the fastest typist can manage. While there have been attempts to make alternative designs of the keyboard, none of the designs has become popular.
RAM
Random Access Memory is computer hardware that stores and processes information. Typically RAM has a higher processing speed than the Hard disk. However, RAM is volatile, meaning that on shutting the computer down, all the information stored inside RAM is deleted. When the computer is operating, data is stored and fetched from RAM.
Monitor
The monitor is part of a computer that displays an operation’s output, videos, and other graphics. It is connected to the CPU. A video card helps in the display of videos on the monitor. Monitors display high-quality graphics and resolutions. There exist two major types of computer monitors the LCD and the CRT. The old model computers mainly utilized the CRT, while modern computers use the LCD.
Hard disk
The hard disk is responsible for storing the data on a computer. It can be used externally or can be pre-installed in the CPU. It is non-volatile, meaning data is stored permanently, and when the system is shut, it doesn’t get wiped-out. It has an electromagnet surface used to store large chunks of data that can be easily accessed. It has the capability of storing trillions of data bytes inside it.
Mouse
This is an input device that is hand operated and is used to pint something on the screen. A mouse can either be wireless or wired. When it is wired, it is directly connected to the CPU. Typically it uses a ball or laser technology to scroll up or down on the screen. By moving the mouse, instructions are directly sent to the computer to move the cursor on the screen.
CPU
Known in full as the central processing unit, the CPU is the computer system’s central hardware part. It is used to execute and interpret the commands that a user inputs into the computer. It is the central part of any laptop, PC, notebook, or tablet. It is the computer’s brain and is made up of a computer chip with billions of transistors. The transistors are, however, very small. All calculations are done inside these transistors.
Printer
This is used to print information on the computer and displays the information on paper. Printers are categorized based on processing speed, size, and other factors.
In conclusion, computers are progressively being applied in almost every aspect of today’s world. Thus, one must equip themselves with basic knowledge of computer hardware to ensure that when purchasing one, they can select the one with the specifications they need.