Computer hardware is the

collection of physical parts of a

computer system. This includes
the computer case, monitor,
keyboard, and mouse. It also
includes all the parts inside the
computer case, such as the
hard disk drive, motherboard,
video card, and many others.
Computer hardware is what
you can physically touch.
 Northbriddge (with heatsink) Southbridge
PCI Slot
IDE Connector (x2) AGP Slot (x5)
DRAM Memory
Slot (x2)
20-pin ATX
Power
Connector

CMOS Backup
Battery
CPU Fan

Connectors For
Integrated Peripherals
CPU Socket
External describes a hardware device
that is installed outside of the
computer. For example, a printer
(shown to the right) is an external
device because it is connected to the
back of the computer and is outside
of the case. However, a video card is
an internal device since it is found
inside of the computer case
 Speakers CD/DVD Drive Printer
Monitor
System Unit

Microphone
Hard Drive
Floppy Disks

Flash Memory
Card Reader

Keyboard CD/DVD Discs Mouse Floppy Disk Drive

Internal Hardware
For example, a video card
is an internal device and a
printer is an external
device. When referring to
a drive, an internal drive
(e.g., internal hard drive) is
any drive inside the
computer. In the picture is
an example of computer
memory and an example
of internal hardware.
 CPU Cooled
Power Supply by fan CD/DVD
Drives

Graphics Card
In AGP Bus
Hard
Disk

PCI Buses

Motherboard
An input device is any hardware device that
sends data to a computer, allowing you to
interact with and control it. The picture shows a
Logitech trackball mouse, which is an example
of an input device.

An input device is a hardware or peripheral

device used to send data to a computer. An
input device allows users to communicate and
feed instructions and data to computers for
processing, display, storage and/or
transmission.
 A computer keyboard is one of the
primary input devices used with a
computer. Similar to an electric typewriter,
a keyboard is composed of buttons that
create letters, numbers, and symbols, as
well as perform other functions. The
following sections provide more in-depth
information and answers to some of the
more frequently asked questions about the
keyboard.
 A computer mouse is a hand-held
pointing device that detects two-
dimensional motion relative to a
surface. This motion is typically
translated into the motion of a
pointer on a display, which allows a
smooth control of the graphical user
interface.
 A webcam is a video camera that
feeds or streams its image in real
time to or through a computer to a
computer network. When
"captured" by the computer, the
video stream may be saved,
viewed or sent on to other networks
travelling through systems such as
the internet, and e-mailed as an
attachment.
 An output device is any
piece of computer
hardware equipment which
converts the electronically
generated information into
human-readable form.
 In computing, a printer is a
peripheral device which makes
a persistent human-readable
representation of graphics or
text on paper.
A loudspeaker is an electroacoustic
transducer; which converts an
electrical audio signal into a
corresponding sound. The most
widely used type of speaker in the
2010s is the dynamic speaker,
invented in 1925 by Edward W.
Kellogg and Chester W. Rice.
 A computer monitor is an
output device that displays
information in pictorial form. A
monitor usually comprises the
display device, circuitry,
casing, and power supply.
 A motherboard is one
of the most essential
parts of a computer
system. It holds together
many of the crucial
components of a
computer, including the
central processing unit
(CPU), memory and
connectors for input and
output devices.
 North Bridge Processor Socket
PCI AGP

SATA Memory

BIOS South Bridge IDE

 Computer
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A floppy disk, also known
as a floppy, diskette, or
simply disk, is a type of
disk storage composed of
a disk of thin and flexible
magnetic storage medium,
sealed in a rectangular
plastic enclosure lined with
fabric that removes dust
particles. Floppy disks are
read and written by a
floppy disk drive.
 Compact disc is a digital
optical disc data storage
format that was co-
developed by Philips and
Sony and released in
1982. The format was
originally developed to
store and play only sound
recordings but was later
adapted for storage of
data.
 A USB flash drive -- also
known as a USB stick, USB
thumb drive or pen drive --
is a plug-and-play
portable storage device
that uses flash memory
and is lightweight enough
to attach to a keychain. A
USB flash drive can be
used in place of a compact
disc