What is a computer? The world seems to revolve around them nowadays, but most of us don't really know how they work or what they really are.
The short answer is this: computers are electronic devices that store information, or data, in a series of yes/no switches, stored in 1s and 0s. But where are those 1s and 0s stored? What turns them on or off? What converts them into what you see on your screen? We'll get to all of that in this lesson.
The first thing you need to know that there isn't one part of a computer called the "computer". It is really a system of many parts working together. The physical parts are called hardware. In this lesson, we'll go over all of the hardware parts of a computer.
The short answer is this: computers are electronic devices that store information, or data, in a series of yes/no switches, stored in 1s and 0s. But where are those 1s and 0s stored? What turns them on or off? What converts them into what you see on your screen? We'll get to all of that in this lesson.
The first thing you need to know that there isn't one part of a computer called the "computer". It is really a system of many parts working together. The physical parts are called hardware. In this lesson, we'll go over all of the hardware parts of a computer.
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/331140983.png?192)
1. System Unit
The system unit is the part that controls the whole system. In desktop computers, which are typically placed on desks and plugged into the wall at all times, the system unit is a rectangular box. In laptops, the system unit is housed in the bottom part, which sits on your lap.
The system unit contains three or four major components: the CPU, the RAM, the hard drive, and sometimes a CD/DVD drive.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) - Small square board that acts as the "brain" of the computer. Controls all other parts.
RAM (Random Access Memory) - Small, long rectangular boards that temporarily store information which is used by the CPU. Once the computer is turned off, the RAM is erased.
Hard Drive - Medium-sized thin rectangular box that houses a magnetic mechanism that reads and writes 1s and 0s from and onto a disk
CD/DVD Drive - CD/DVD drives are slits or trays that are accessible from the outside of the computer. They read and write removable discs that can store information.
The system unit is the part that controls the whole system. In desktop computers, which are typically placed on desks and plugged into the wall at all times, the system unit is a rectangular box. In laptops, the system unit is housed in the bottom part, which sits on your lap.
The system unit contains three or four major components: the CPU, the RAM, the hard drive, and sometimes a CD/DVD drive.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) - Small square board that acts as the "brain" of the computer. Controls all other parts.
RAM (Random Access Memory) - Small, long rectangular boards that temporarily store information which is used by the CPU. Once the computer is turned off, the RAM is erased.
Hard Drive - Medium-sized thin rectangular box that houses a magnetic mechanism that reads and writes 1s and 0s from and onto a disk
CD/DVD Drive - CD/DVD drives are slits or trays that are accessible from the outside of the computer. They read and write removable discs that can store information.
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/378964938.png?181)
2. Mouse
The mouse is a small, generally plastic, device that is used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Most mice connect to the system unit with a wire, but many newer mice are wireless.
The mouse is a small, generally plastic, device that is used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Most mice connect to the system unit with a wire, but many newer mice are wireless.
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/319223642.jpg?284)
3. Keyboard
The keyboard is a panel covered in buttons, or keys, that correspond to letters, numbers and characters. Each time you press a key, it enters its corresponding character into the computer. On desktop computers, the keyboard, similar to the mouse, is either wired or wireless. On laptops, the keyboard is built into the base.
The keyboard is a panel covered in buttons, or keys, that correspond to letters, numbers and characters. Each time you press a key, it enters its corresponding character into the computer. On desktop computers, the keyboard, similar to the mouse, is either wired or wireless. On laptops, the keyboard is built into the base.
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/432296889.png?303)
4. Monitor
The monitor displays visual information. The main part of a monitor is the screen, which displays the information. What you enter on your keyboard, the movement of your mouse, and your files are all displayed on your monitor.
The monitor displays visual information. The main part of a monitor is the screen, which displays the information. What you enter on your keyboard, the movement of your mouse, and your files are all displayed on your monitor.
That's all for this lesson! Thanks for visiting!