Parts of a computer:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-sg/windows-vista/parts-of-a-computer
Parts of a computer:
If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isn't any single part
called the "computer." computer is really a system of many parts working together. !he
physical parts, which you can see and touch, are collectively called hardware. "Software,
on the other hand, refers to the instructions, or programs, that tell the hardware what to
do.#
!he illustration $elow shows the most common hardware in a desktop computer system.
%our system may look a little di&erent, $ut it pro$a$ly has most of these parts. laptop
computer has similar parts $ut com$ines them into a single note$ook-si'ed package.
(esktop computer system
)et's take a look at each of these parts.
System unit
!he system unit is the core of a computer system. *sually it's a rectangular $o+ placed on
or underneath your desk. Inside this $o+ are many electronic components that process
information. !he most important of these components is the central processing unit
(CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "$rain" of your computer. nother
component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that
the ,P* uses while the computer is on. !he information stored in -. is erased when the
computer is turned o&.
lmost every other part of your computer connects to the system unit using ca$les. !he
ca$les plug into speci/c ports "openings#, typically on the $ack of the system unit.
0ardware that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called a peripheral
device or device.
1ystem unit
Storage
%our computer has one or more dis drives2devices that store information on a metal or
plastic disk. !he disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned o&.
!ard dis drive
%our computer's hard dis drive stores information on a hard dis, a rigid platter or stack
of platters with a magnetic surface. 3ecause hard disks can hold massive amounts of
information, they usually serve as your computer's primary means of storage, holding
almost all of your programs and /les. !he hard disk drive is normally located inside the
system unit.
0ard disk drive
C" and "#" drives
4early all computers today come e5uipped with a ,( or (6( drive, usually located on the
front of the system unit. ,( drives use lasers to read "retrieve# data from a ,(, and many
,( drives can also write "record# data onto ,(s. If you have a recorda$le disk drive, you
can store copies of your /les on $lank ,(s. %ou can also use a ,( drive to play music ,(s
on your computer.
,(
(6( drives can do everything that ,( drives can, plus read (6(s. If you have a (6( drive,
you can watch movies on your computer. .any (6( drives can record data onto $lank
(6(s.
$ip
If you have a recorda$le ,( or (6( drive, periodically $ack up "copy# your important
/les to ,(s or (6(s. !hat way, if your hard disk ever fails, you won't lose your data.
Mouse
mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen.
lthough mice come in many shapes, the typical mouse does look a $it like an actual
mouse. It's small, o$long, and connected to the system unit $y a long wire that resem$les a
tail. 1ome newer mice are wireless.
.ouse
mouse usually has two $uttons: a primary $utton "usually the left $utton# and a
secondary $utton. .any mice also have a wheel $etween the two $uttons, which allows you
to scroll smoothly through screens of information.
7hen you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same
direction. "!he pointer's appearance might change depending on where it's positioned on
your screen.# 7hen you want to select an item, you point to the item and then clic "press
and release# the primary $utton. Pointing and clicking with your mouse is the main way to
interact with your computer. 8or more information, see Using your mouse.
Keyboard
key$oard is used mainly for typing te+t into your computer. )ike the key$oard on a
typewriter, it has keys for letters and num$ers, $ut it also has special keys:
!he function eys, found on the top row, perform di&erent functions depending on
where they are used.
!he numeric eypad, located on the right side of most key$oards, allows you to
enter num$ers 5uickly.
!he navigation eys, such as the arrow keys, allow you to move your position
within a document or we$page.
9ey$oard
%ou can also use your key$oard to perform many of the same tasks you can perform with a
mouse. 8or more information, see.
Monitor
monitor displays information in visual form, using te+t and graphics. !he portion of the
monitor that displays the information is called the screen. )ike a television screen, a
computer screen can show still or moving pictures.
!here are two $asic types of monitors: CR$ "cathode ray tu$e# monitors and %C" "li5uid
crystal display# monitors. 3oth types produce sharp images, $ut ),( monitors have the
advantage of $eing much thinner and lighter. ,-! monitors, however, are generally more
a&orda$le.
),( monitor "left#: ,-! monitor
"right#
Printer
printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. %ou don't need a printer to use your
computer, $ut having one allows you to print e-mail, cards, invitations, announcements,
and other materials. .any people also like $eing a$le to print their own photos at home.
!he two main types of printers are in&et printers and laser printers. Ink;et printers are
the most popular printers for the home. !hey can print in $lack and white or in full color and
can produce high-5uality photographs when used with special paper. )aser printers are
faster and generally $etter a$le to handle heavy use.
Ink;et printer "left#: laser printer
"right#
Speakers
1peakers are used to play sound. !hey may $e $uilt into the system unit or connected with
ca$les. 1peakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound e&ects from your computer.
,omputer speakers
Modem
!o connect your computer to the Internet, you need a modem. modem is a device that
sends and receives computer information over a telephone line or high-speed ca$le.
.odems are sometimes $uilt into the system unit, $ut higher-speed modems are usually
separate components.
,a$le modem