What is computer hardware?

Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of the physical components of an analog or

digital computer. The term hardware distinguishes the tangible aspects of a computing device

from software, which consists of written, machine-readable instructions or programs that tell physical

components what to do and when to execute the instructions.

Hardware and software are complementary. A computing device can function efficiently and produce

useful output only when both hardware and software work together appropriately.

Computer hardware can be categorized as being either internal or external components. Generally,

internal hardware components are those necessary for the proper functioning of the computer, while

external hardware components are attached to the computer to add or enhance functionality.

What are internal computer hardware components?

Internal components collectively process or store the instructions delivered by the program or operating

system (OS). These include the following:

 Motherboard. This is a printed circuit board that holds the central processing unit (CPU) and other

essential internal hardware and functions as the central hub that all other hardware components run

through.

 CPU. The CPU is the brain of the computer that processes and executes digital instructions from

various programs; its clock speed determines the computer's performance and efficiency in processing

data.

 RAM. RAM -- or dynamic RAM -- is temporary memory storage that makes information immediately

accessible to programs; RAM is volatile memory, so stored data is cleared when the computer powers

off.

 Hard drive. Hard disk drives are physical storage devices that store both permanent and temporary

data in different formats, including programs, OSes, device files, photos, etc.

 Solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are solid-state storage devices based on NAND flash memory

technology; SSDs are non-volatile, so they can safely store data even when the computer is powered

down.
 Optical drive. Optical drives typically reside in an on-device drive bay; they enable the computer to

read and interact with nonmagnetic external media, such as compact disc read-only memory or digital

video discs.

 Heat sink. This is a passive piece of hardware that draws heat away from components to

regulate/reduce their temperature to help ensure they continue to function properly. Typically, a heat

sink is installed directly atop the CPU, which produces the most heat among internal components.

 Graphics processing unit. This chip-based device processes graphical data and often functions as

an extension to the main CPU.

 Network interface card (NIC). A NIC is a circuit board or chip that enables the computer to connect to

a network; also known as a network adapter or local area network adapter, it typically supports

connection to an Ethernet network.

Other computing components, such as USB ports, power supplies, transistors and chips, are also types of

internal hardware.

This computer hardware chart below illustrates what typical internal computer hardware components look

like.

What are external hardware components?

External hardware components, also called peripheral components, are those items that are often

externally connected to the computer to control either input or output functions. These hardware devices

are designed to either provide instructions to the software (input) or render results from its execution

(output).

Common input hardware components include the following:

 Mouse. A mouse is a hand-held pointing device that moves a cursor around a computer screen and

enables interaction with objects on the screen. It may be wired or wireless.

 Keyboard. A keyboard is an input device featuring a standard QWERTY keyset that enables users to

input text, numbers or special characters.

 Microphone. A microphone is a device that translates sound waves into electrical signals and

supports computer-based audio communications.

 Camera. A camera captures visual images and streams them to the computer or through a computer

to a network device.

 Touchpad. A touchpad is an input device, external or built into a laptop, used to control the pointer on

a display screen. It is typically an alternative to an external mouse.

Other input hardware components include joysticks, styluses and scanners.

Examples of output hardware components include the following:

 Monitor. A monitor is an output device similar to a TV screen that displays information, documents or

images generated by the computing device.

 Printer. Printers render electronic data from a computer into printed material.

 Speaker. A speaker is an external audio output device that connects to a computer to generate a

sound output.

 Headphones, earphones, earbuds. Similar to speakers, these devices provide audio output that's

audible only to a single listener.

Hardware vs. software

Hardware refers to the computer's tangible components or delivery systems that store and run the written

instructions provided by the software. The software is the intangible part of the device that lets the user

interact with the hardware and command it to perform specific tasks. Computer software includes the

following:

 OS and related utilities;

 programs that control certain computer functions; and

 applications that usually perform operations on user-supplied data.

On mobile devices and laptop computers, virtual keyboards are also considered software because they're

not physical.
Since the software and hardware depend on each other to enable a computer to produce useful output,

the software must be designed to work properly with the hardware.

What is an operating system?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the

computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you
to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an
operating system, a computer is useless.

The operating system's job

Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer.

Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all
need to access your computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating
system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.

Types of operating systems

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the operating
system that comes with their computer, but it's possible to upgrade or even change operating systems.
The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS,
and Linux.

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI lets you
use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen
using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system
it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and
most of the basic principles are the same.

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different
versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows
8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new
PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

macOS

macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on

all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High
Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).

Linux

Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can

be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary
software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages
of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can
choose from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating
systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
To learn more about different distributions of Linux, visit the Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora websites,
or refer to our Linux Resources. For a more comprehensive list, you can visit MakeUseOf's list of The
Best Linux Distributions.

Operating systems for mobile devices

The operating systems we've been talking about so far were designed to run
on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3
players are different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are
designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple
iOS and Google Android.

Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for desktop and
laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of
things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.