FILIO, JONATHAN JOSHUA M.
10 hardware parts of a computer and its usage and function
1. Motherboard
- It is a circuit board – the computer's main circuit board that contains different
components that are soldered and non-removable, as well as the removable
ones with slots or sockets. It is the part of the computer that houses the CPU
chips, and the ROM and RAM chips, etc.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- The CPU is like the computer's brain that takes instructions and works on
them. It applies the program instructions to the input data then turns it into an
output. There are two components of the CPU. These are the Arithmetic and
Logic Unit (ALU) and the Control Unit. To put it in one sentence, the CPU is
the life of the computer.
3. Random Access Memory (RAM)
- The RAM is made up of silicon microchips with millions of small transistors. It
is very similar to the CPU chips in this regard and the technology is based on
the Law of Moore. One chip of a RAM can hold up hundreds of Megabyte.
These chips are pre-soldered on some memory circuit boards known as
SIMMS or DIMMS (Single/Dual In-line Memory Modules).
4. Read-Only Memory
- The ROM is also made of electronic microchips and is able to retain its
content when power switches off. ROM is used for holding program
instructions that can't be changed throughout the life of the computer because
the content of ROM is impossible or very difficult to remove. For instance,
ROM is used mainly for storing a boot program which is the instructions that
the computer follows to perform self-diagnosis when it's switched on. This
tells the computer how it will load the OS from secondary storage.
5. Power Supply
- This is a device that takes power to the different components of the computer
as its name suggests. The outer case has a voltage control, transformer, and
a fan. It is responsible for supplying low-voltage DC power to the different
internal components of the computer, which converts from 100-120 volts of
AC power. This power supply is usually built in a way that conforms to the
ATX form factor. With this, it is enabled to interchange with other components
in the computer.
6. Computer Case
- This is the part that holds all of the internal components to make up the
computer itself. It is usually designed in such a manner to make fitting a
motherboard, wiring, and drives as easy as possible. Some are designed so
well that it is easy to make everything look tidy and presentable too. Cases
come in all different shapes and sizes to accommodate various types of
computer components and satisfy the consumer’s needs.
7. Hard Drive
- A hard drive is found in most computers. It’s usually a mechanical drive that
stores all the data. Apart from storing data, it can also be used as a boot drive
to run the operating system from it. An operating system is a software
program that makes a computer useable like Microsoft Windows, for example.
The biggest vulnerability of a mechanical drive is its physically fragile nature.
One bump the wrong way can destroy a whole drive. A mechanical hard drive
contains one or more platters that spin anywhere between 5200 to 10000
RPM (revolutions per minute).
8. Graphics Card
- A graphics card processes the data from the motherboard and sends the
appropriate information to the monitor for it to be displayed. It can do so using
an HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connector. A graphics card can also be
referred to as a video card or a display card. It takes the burden of all the
video processing from the main CPU. This gives a computer a big boost in
performance.
9. Monitor
- This is an essential part of the computer as it is the part that users relate to
the most. It is an output device that works just the same as a TV and basically
shows the users' activities on the screen. Monitors vary among different
computers in both resolution and size. The screen size varies from sizes as
small as 12 -14 inches to the bigger 40+ inches.
10. Keyboard and Mouse
- The keyboard is an important input device on the computer system. It is one
means by which information can enter the computer. This information is
usually displayed first on the computer's monitor. While the mouse is another
input device that is essential for moving and pointing on the monitor.
5 types of software that a computer needs to run
1. Application Software
- Application software is a software program or group of programs designed for
end-users.
2. System Software
- System software provides a platform for other software and includes the
programs managing the computer itself, such as the computer’s operating
system, file management utilities and disk operating system (or DOS). The
system’s files consist of libraries of functions, system services, drivers for
printers and other hardware, system preferences and other configuration files.
3. Driver Software
- Driver software communicates with hardware and control devices and
peripherals attached to a computer. It does this by gathering input from the
OS (operating system) and giving instructions to the hardware to perform an
action or other designated task.
4. Firmware
- Firmware is software that’s stored on a computer’s motherboard or chipset.
Its job is to ensure the device works directly. It checks the drive for errors then
queries if the operating system is present. If so, it then turns control over to
the likes of Windows 10.
5. Utility Software
- Utility software is designed to analyze and optimize a device. These apps are
usually bundled with an OS. They track performance and alert the system if
there’s a problem like overheating.
Briefly discuss the trends of technology today.
Technology has been a key part of our society ever since the advancements on
technology has made it easier for us to live our everyday lives. Every time there are new
release or updates on whatever technology it is, people seem to turn increasingly
towards on living with technology beside them. And we cannot deny the fact that
technology has indeed made our lives easier even through this pandemic. This
pandemic has always been a pain in our heads but still, we use technology to make our
lives bearable during this pandemic. The latest trend that I noticed during this pandemic
is the use of technology to make it easier for us to survive this pandemic. I would like to
discuss how the use of technology to made it possible to earn money through
technology this pandemic, the latest “play to earn” game Axie Infinity has made a lot of
people earn through cryptocurrency during this pandemic and some people use social
media application to sell their own products or to run their business. Second is how
people use technology nowadays to pay their bills. Applications like gcash, paymaya,
and other online banks have made it easier to pay cashless.
How computer affects our daily life?
Everywhere we go we can always see computers lingering around. I think that
without computers, certain advancements in our technology wouldn’t be possible at all.
It’s almost impossible to call this generation “the modern world” without computers. The
biggest proof how a computer affects our daily life is very evident in our surroundings. In
groceries, offices, schools, homes, banks, and even public sectors, computers are
present. It makes our work effortless while being efficient at the same time. Even when
writing this seatwork, we get to use computers (or laptops). Computers can easily be
voted as one of the most brilliant inventions in this generation and it is backed up by
how it is elaborated in our daily lives.
As a student how computer or technology helps you
Nowadays, the necessity of technology/computer is in demand. Every individual is
using technology/computer in their daily lives. As a student, technology/computer helps
me find information more quickly, relevant and the most accurate information whether I
have to complete an assignment, write a report or essay, thesis, read something,
correct something, design something, or all in all. Technology/computer made student’s
lives very convenient, I can write and study my schoolwork online faster and
communicate with my classmate and professors via email or other platforms for shared
conversations and information. It also helps me in obtaining a lot of new information. In
conclusion, technology/computers are now considered a necessity when it comes to
education. We cannot deny the fact that it made education easier, especially in this time
where the new-normal is the online classroom set-up.
