Computer Basics - Basic Parts of a
Computer
The basic parts of a desktop computer
are the computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. Each part
plays an important role whenever you use a computer.
1. Monitor
The monitor works with a video card,
located inside the computer case, to display images and text on the screen.
Most monitors have control buttons that allow you to change your monitor's
display settings, and some monitors also have built-in speakers.
Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid
crystal display) or LED (light-emitting diode) displays. These can be made very
thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays. Older monitors use CRT
(cathode ray tube) displays. CRT monitors are much larger and heavier, and they
take up more desk space.
2. Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the main ways
to communicate with a computer. There are many different types of keyboards,
but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same basic tasks.
3. Mouse
The mouse is another important tool
for communicating with computers. Commonly known as a pointing device, it lets
you point to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them.
There are two main mouse types:
optical and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an electronic eye to detect
movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to
detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.
Peripherals you can use with your
computer
The most basic computer setup usually
includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but you can plug many
different types of devices into the extra ports on your computer. These devices
are called peripherals. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.
1. Printers: A printer is used to print
documents, photos, and anything else that appears on your screen. There are
many types of printers, including inkjet, laser, and photo printers. There are
even all-in-one printers, which can also scan and copy documents.
Scanners: A scanner allows you to
copy a physical image or document and save it to your computer as a digital
(computer-readable) image. Many scanners are included as part of an all-in-one
printer, although you can also buy a separate flatbed or handheld scanner.
Speakers/headphones: Speakers and
headphones are output devices, which means they send information from the
computer to the user—in this case, they allow you to hear sound and music.
Depending on the model, they may connect to the audio port or the USB port. Some
monitors also have built-in speakers.
Microphones: A microphone is a type
of input device, or a device that receives information from a user. You can
connect a microphone to record sound or talk with someone else over the
Internet. Many laptop computers come with built-in microphones.
Web cameras: A web camera—or
webcam—is a type of input device that can record videos and take pictures. It
can also transmit video over the Internet in real time, which allows for video
chat or video conferencing with someone else. Many webcams also include a
microphone for this reason.
Game controllers and joysticks: A
game controller is used to control computer games. There are many other types
of controllers you can use, including joysticks, although you can also use your
mouse and keyboard to control most games.
Digital cameras: A digital camera
lets you capture pictures and videos in a digital format. By connecting the
camera to your computer's USB port, you can transfer the images from the camera
to the computer.
Motherboard:
The motherboard is the computer's
main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors
for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and
audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB ports). The motherboard
connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.
CPU
The central processing unit (CPU),
also called a processor, is located inside the computer case on the
motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is
to carry out commands. Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an
application, you're sending instructions to the CPU.
RAM (random access memory)
RAM is your system's short-term
memory. Whenever your computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the
data in the RAM until it is needed.
This short-term memory disappears
when the computer is turned off. If you're working on a document, spreadsheet,
or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it. When you save
a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-term storage.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at
the same time. If you don't have enough RAM, you may notice that your computer
is sluggish when you have several programs open. Because of this, many people
add extra RAM to their computers to improve performance.
Hard drive
The hard drive is where your
software, documents, and other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term
storage, which means the data is still saved even if you turn the computer off
or unplug it.
When you run a program or open a
file, the computer copies some of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM.
When you save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive. The faster the
hard drive, the faster your computer can start up and load programs.
Power supply unit
The power supply unit in a computer
converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the
computer. It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other
components.
If you decide to open the computer
case and take a look, make sure to unplug the computer first. Before touching
the inside of the computer, you should touch a grounded metal object—or a metal
part of the computer casing—to discharge any static buildup. Static electricity
can be transmitted through the computer circuits, which can seriously damage
your machine.
Expansion cards
Most computers have expansion slots
on the motherboard that allow you to add various types of expansion cards.
These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component interconnect) cards. You
may never need to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in
video, sound, network, and other capabilities.
However, if you want to boost the
performance of your computer or update the capabilities of an older computer,
you can always add one or more cards. Below are some of the most common types
of expansion cards.
Video card
The video card is responsible for
what you see on the monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics processing
unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a separate video card. If
you like playing graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video card to
one of the expansion slots to get better performance.
Sound card
The sound card—also called an audio
card—is responsible for what you hear in the speakers or headphones. Most
motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated sound
card for higher-quality sound.
Network card
The network card allows your computer
to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect
with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi).
Many motherboards have built-in network connections, and a network card can
also be added to an expansion slot.
Bluetooth card (or adapter)
Bluetooth is a technology for
wireless communication over short distances. It's often used in computers to
communicate with wireless keyboards, mice, and printers. It's commonly built
into the motherboard or included in a wireless network card. For computers that
don't have Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter, often called a dongle.
