Parts of a computer

If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isn't any single part called the "computer." A computer is really a system of many parts working together. The 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. The following illustration shows the most common hardware in a desktop computer system. !our system might look a little different, "ut it pro"a"ly has most of these parts. A 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
The 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. The most important of these components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the ""rain" of your computer. Another component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that the )P' uses while the computer is on. The information stored in *A+ is erased when the computer is turned off.

Almost every other part of your computer connects to the system unit using ca"les. The ca"les plug into specific ports(openings , typically on the "ack of the system unit. ,ardware that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called aperipheral device or device.

-ystem unit Top of page

Storage
!our computer has one or more disk drives.devices that store information on a metal or plastic disk. The disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned off.

ard disk drive

!our computer's hard disk drive stores information on a hard disk.a rigid platter or stack of platters with a magnetic surface. /ecause 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 files. The hard disk drive is normally located inside the system unit.

,ard disk drive

C! and !"! drives

0early all computers today come e1uipped with a )% or %2% drive, usually located on the front of the system unit. )% drives use lasers to read (retrieve data from a )%3 many )% drives can also write (record data onto )%s. If you have a recorda"le disk drive, you can store copies of your files on "lank )%s. !ou can also use a )% drive to play music )%s on your computer.

)% %2% drives can do everything that )% drives can, plus read %2%s. If you have a %2% drive, you can watch movies on your computer. +any %2% drives can record data onto "lank %2%s. #ip

If you have a recorda"le )% or %2% drive, periodically "ack up (copy your important files to )%s or %2%s. That way, if your hard disk ever fails, you won't lose your data.

$loppy disk drive

4loppy disk drives store information on floppy disks, also called floppies or diskettes. )ompared to )%s and %2%s, floppy disks can store only a small amount of data. They also

retrieve information more slowly and are more prone to damage. 4or these reasons, floppy disk drives are less popular than they used to "e, although some computers still include them.

4loppy disk 5hy are these disks called "floppy" disks6 The outside is made of hard plastic, "ut that's 7ust the sleeve. The disk inside is made of a thin, fle(i"le vinyl material. Top of page

Mouse
A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Although 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. -ome newer mice are wireless.

+ouse A mouse usually has two "uttons8 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.

+ouse pointers 5hen you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same direction. (The pointer's appearance might change depending on where it's positioned on your screen. 5hen you want to select an item, you point to the item and then click (press and release the primary "utton. Pointing and clicking with your mouse is the main way to interact with your computer. 4or more information, see Using your mouse.

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%ey&oard
A 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 keys8

The function keys, found on the top row, perform different functions depending on where they are used. The numeric keypad, located on the right side of most key"oards, allows you to enter num"ers 1uickly. The navigation keys, 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. 4or more information, seeUsing your key&oard. Top of page

Monitor
A monitor displays information in visual form, using te(t and graphics. The 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. There are two "asic types of monitors8 CR# (cathode ray tu"e monitors and the newer 'C! (li1uid crystal display monitors. /oth types produce sharp images, "ut &)% monitors have the advantage of "eing much thinner and lighter.

&)% monitor (left 3 )*T monitor (right Top of page

Printer
A 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 material. +any people also like "eing a"le to print their own photos at home. The two main types of printers are ink(et printers and laser printers. Ink7et printers are the most popular printers for the home. They can print in "lack and white or in full color and can produce high#1uality photographs when used with special paper. &aser printers are faster and generally "etter a"le to handle heavy use.

Ink7et printer (left 3 laser printer (right Top of page

Speakers
-peakers are used to play sound. They can "e "uilt into the system unit or connected with ca"les. -peakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your computer.

)omputer speakers Top of page

Modem
To connect your computer to the Internet, you need a modem. A 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