Table of Contents
Computer Hardware .......................................................................... 1
Internal Computer Hardware Computer .......................................... 2
External Hardware Computer ..........................................................
...................................................................................................... 4
Example .................................................................................... 5
Difference Between Software and Hardware........................... 6
COMPUTER HARDWARE
Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of
the physical components of an analog or digital computer. The
term hardware distinguishes the tangible aspects of a computing
device from software, which consists of written, machine-
readable instructions or programs that tell physical components
what to do and when to execute the instructions.
Hardware and software are complementary. A computing device
can function efficiently and produce useful output only when both
hardware and software work together appropriately.
Computer hardware can be categorized as being either internal
or external components. Generally, internal hardware
components are those necessary for the proper functioning of the
computer, while external hardware components are attached to
the computer to add or enhance functionality.
INTERNAL COMPUTER HARDWARE COMPONENTS
Internal components collectively process or store the instructions delivered
by the program or operating system (OS). These include the following:
• Motherboard. This is a printed circuit board that holds the central
processing unit (CPU) and other essential internal hardware and
functions as the central hub that all other hardware components run
through.
• CPU. The CPU is the brain of the computer that processes and
executes digital instructions from various programs; its clock
speed determines the computer's performance and efficiency in
processing data.
• RAM. RAM -- or dynamic RAM -- is temporary memory storage that
makes information immediately accessible to programs; RAM is
volatile memory, so stored data is cleared when the computer powers
off
• Hard drive. Hard disk drives are physical storage devices that store
both permanent and temporary data in different formats, including
programs, OSes, device files, photos, etc.
• Solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are solid-state storage devices based
on NAND flash memory technology; SSDs are non-volatile, so they
can safely store data even when the computer is powered down.
• Optical drive. Optical drives typically reside in an on-device drive
bay; they enable the computer to read and interact with nonmagnetic
external media, such as compact disc read-only memory or digital
video discs.
• Heat sink. This is a passive piece of hardware that draws heat away
from components to regulate/reduce their temperature to help ensure
they continue to function properly. Typically, a heat sink is installed
• Graphics processing unit. This chip-based device processes
graphical data and often functions as an extension to the main CPU.
• Network interface card (NIC). A NIC is a circuit board or chip that
enables the computer to connect to a network; also known as
a network adapter or local area network adapter, it typically supports
connection to an Ethernet network.
Other computing components, such as USB ports, power supplies,
transistors and chips, are also types of internal hardware.
This computer hardware chart below illustrates what typical internal
computer hardware components look like.
EXTERNAL HARDWARE COMPONENTS
External hardware components, also called peripheral components, are
those items that are often externally connected to the computer to control
either input or output functions. These hardware devices are designed to
either provide instructions to the software (input) or render results from its
execution (output).
Common input hardware components include the following:
• Mouse. A mouse is a hand-held pointing device that moves a cursor
around a computer screen and enables interaction with objects on the
screen. It may be wired or wireless.
• Keyboard. A keyboard is an input device featuring a
standard QWERTY keyset that enables users to input text, numbers or
special characters.
• Microphone. A microphone is a device that translates sound waves into
electrical signals and supports computer-based audio communications.
• Camera. A camera captures visual images and streams them to the
computer or through a computer to a network device.
• Touchpad. A touchpad is an input device, external or built into a laptop,
used to control the pointer on a display screen. It is typically an
alternative to an external mouse.
• USB flash drive. A USB flash drive is an external, removable storage
device that uses flash memory and interfaces with a computer through a
USB port.
• Memory card. A memory card is a type of portable external storage
media, such as a CompactFlash card, used to store media or data files.
Other input hardware components include joysticks, styluses and scanners.
Examples of output hardware components include the
following:
• Monitor. A monitor is an output device similar to a TV screen that
displays information, documents or images generated by the computing
device.
• Printer. Printers render electronic data from a computer into printed
material.
• Speaker. A speaker is an external audio output device that connects to
a computer to generate a sound output.
• Headphones, earphones, earbuds. Similar to speakers, these devices
provide audio output that's audible only to a single listener.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE:
➢ Software is a set of instructions
1. Hardware is a physical part of
that tells a computer exactly what
the computer that causes the
to do
processing of data
➢ It is developed and engineered.
2. It is manufactured.
➢ The software can’t be executed
3. Hardware cannot perform any
without hardware.
task without software.
➢ Created by utilizing a computer
4. Electronic and other materials
language to write instructions.
are used to create hardware.
➢ Software is intangible as we can
5. Hardware is tangible as
see and also use the software but
hardware is a physical
can’t touch them.
electronic device, that can be
touched.
➢ The software does not wear out
6. Hardware typically wears out
with time. However, it may contain
over time.
flaws and glitches.
➢ Software is affected by computer
7. Hardware is not affected by
viruses.
computer viruses.
