Computer Hardware

All the physical or tangible items of the Computer are known as Computer Hardware.

Computer Hardware can be classified in to main five (05) parts according to the jobs they do inside the computer.

1. Input devices
2. Output devices
3. Primary memory
4. Central Processing Unit
5. Secondary Storage

1. Input devices

Any component that is used to input data to the computer for process.

Devices that are used to take information (processed data) out from the computer.
These are the devices that are used to store data permanently such as photos, videos, games, movies…etc. furthermore storage devices provides data to be processed and instructions for processing data.

Examples are Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, PC Camera, Barcode reader, Scanner, Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR), Joy-Stick / Gamepad, Touch screen, Touch pad, Digital pen.

2. Output devices

Some common examples are Monitor, Printer, GPS, Video card, Braille Reader (for visually impaired persons), Speaker / Headphone, Sound card.

3. Primary memory

Also called as Main memory. Primary memory is directly connected to the CPU (Central Processing Unit). Two types of main memory includes RAM and ROM.

RAM (Random Access Memory) – CPU can access any memory cell in the RAM without seeking sequent manner. Therefore RAM is a speed memory type comparing fixed storages. RAM is a volatile memory which means data in a primary memory will be erased when the power is off. RAM is a temporary memory.

ROM (Read Only Memory) – RAM is non-volatile memory which means data in the RAM is permanent. ROM contains important files that required for system to boot-up. Major input and output tasks are also performed by the ROM.

CPU registers and CACHE memories are also type of main memories.

4. Processor

Also known as Central Processing Unit or CPU. This is the heart and brain of the computer. Processor is a small chip which process all the operations in the Computer.

5. Secondary storage / backing storage

Examples are Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive, CD, DVD and Blu-Ray Discs, DVD-RAM, USB Flash Memory, Floppy diskette.