A lot of people overlook the need and responsibility of PC hardware and instead concentrate primarily on software. Without the correct hardware your PC will fail to function correctly.
The term hardware can be fixed to many aspects of your computer, with the main aspect being your motherboard. The motherboard is classed as the heart of your computer; its main purpose is to provide electrical and logical connections. Without a motherboard your computer will not be able to function. Components such as external storage, controllers for video display and sound are attached to the motherboard via edge connectors and cables.
The central processing unit (CPU) is also found on the motherboard and acts as another important piece of computer hardware. The CPU performs most of the calculations which enables a computer to function. The CPU and the motherboard are found within the tower of your computer as is the computer fan, needed to keep your computer at a safe temperature and your power supply, which is obviously needed to ensure your computer has power to function. Along with all of these you will also find your computers sound card and graphics card within your computer tower. Your graphics card, also known as a video display controller, is important to your computer as it is what enables you to get a good resolution and without one you would not be able to watch videos, play games or even clearly see flash images on websites.
One last hardware feature of importance that is kept within your computer tower is the computers hard drive. The hard drive is the storage area of your computer system. All your programs and applications as well as images, music, video and all forms of media that is on your computer are stored within your computers hard drive.
All of the previously mentioned hardware is stored in the tower of your computer but there are aspects of computer hardware that are visible on your computer such as removable media in the form of a CD drive, DVD drive, floppy disc and USB ports.
When it comes to buying these pieces of computer hardware most people head straight to the biggest brand store and pay over expensive prices for hardware that you could have got a lot cheaper from another avenue. If you are looking to buy computer hardware there are a number of options open to you rather than just buying new. For example there are computer fairs that are held, which sell all forms of computer hardware at very reasonable prices; if you know what you are looking for you will be able to find a great deal at a computer fair. However if you would prefer buying from a retailer have you considered buying used hardware? Please don’t be put off by the term used what is meant by this is you would be buying new hardware that has been returned by customers and restored by the retailer.
Computer hardware is a device that is related to computers, and it is in a physical form. Keyboards, mouse and monitors are examples of computer hardware that we can touch. In contrast, software such as Windows operating system is not considered hardware because it does not have any physical form, nor we can touch it.
This hardware is not only found in personal computers, but the term can be attributed to anything physical which forms part of a larger computer system or network. Nevertheless, computer hardware found in modern personal computers include monitor, motherboard, CPU, RAM memory, expansion cards, power supply, optical disc drive, hard disk, keyboard and mouse. All of these components of a computer have physical form, and anyone can touch them. For example, if someone has bought Microsoft Office disc to install MS Word on their personal computer then it can be stated that the disc is a type of hardware because it has a physical form. In contrast, application stored inside that disc e.g. Microsoft Word is not hardware because it only exists in a digital format, and does not have any physical aspect.
Hardware is a term used for physical objects of technology such as personal computer, but terms like hardware and computer hardware are also synonymous. Therefore, it is not uncommon to use terms like hardware and PC hardware, interchangeably. For example, a CPU can be called either hardware or computer hardware. Usually, anything physical related to computers is called PC hardware. Otherwise, objects such as keys, locks, door handles, electric wires, cutting tools, cutlery, machine and most things made of metal are generally known as hardware, and found in hardware stores.