Computer Harware Basics
From Journalism
Contents
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What is it?
The physical parts of a computer - anything you can touch or see such as monitor, keyboard, mouse, pen drive, electronic parts inside the computers are known as Computer Hardware.
Why Should You Know Hardware?
I know that, you are a journalist, not a technician. So, why should you know the basics of computer Hardware?
Imagine you are going for a long drive on your car or a bike. If everything goes well, no doubt, you will reach the destination. But, what will you do if your vehicle stops in the midway due to a tyre puncture and there are no machanics around? No problem, if you know at least to replace the punctured wheel with a spare wheel. Right?
Similarly, at times, your computer may disfunction. So, it is better to know the basics of the computer hardware so that you can rectify minor problems on your own or if someone guides you over the phone. You need not know the hardware in details. A few things you may know are:
Very Basic Hardware
I am sure if you are reading this on the computer, you know basic hardware. Hence, there is no point in explaining those very basic parts like:
- Console
- Monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Speakers
- Printer
- Inkjet Printer
- Laser Printer
- Dot Matrix Printer
- Scanner
Please Note: The Console is only the main computer box that contains your computer’s soul. Many people call it CPU, which is incorrect. Actually, CPU is the microprocessor which is inside the console.
More Hardware
But, as a computer user, you must know little more than the above basic hardware. A general study says, a lot of people who use computers don't know much about the following hardware. How much do you know about these simple hardware?
Motherboard
Motherboard is an electronic circuit board inside the computer CPU, through which all other components are connected.
Central processing unit - CPU
Central processing unit; A computer component, often called a Processor or a Microprocessor, whose speed determines how fast your computer operates. This performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer.
RAM
Random-access memory is a temporary form of computer data storage. This computer memory is lost after the power is switched off. So, we need to save the computer data to a permanet data storage device like harddisk, before we switch off the computer. High amount of RAM is required for the faster work on the computer.
Hard Disk Drive
Unlike RAM, this is a permanent data storage device. This can store the greatest amount of information and access it in the quickest manner; therefore, it’s the main source of permanent storage for any computer.
Computer fan
This is used to lower the temperature of the computer; a fan is always attached to the CPU, and to the back of the case, also known as the 'muffin fan'.
Graphic Card
A video card, also known as a graphics accelerator card, display adapter, or graphics card, is a hardware component whose function is to generate and output images to a display. Graphic Card
Network Card
A network card is also known as network adapter, network interface controller (NIC), network interface card, or LAN adapter. This is a computer hardware component which allows computers to communicate over a computer network. To connect two or more computers, network cards should be present in those computers.
Sound Card
A sound card is also known as an audio card. It is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to/from a computer under control of computer programs. Many computers have sound capabilities built in, while others require additional expansion cards to provide for better audio capability.
TV Tuner Card
A TV tuner card is a computer component that allows television signals to be received by a computer. Most TV tuners also function as video capture cards, allowing them to record television programs onto a hard disk. There are a veriety of TV tuner cards. For details visit TV Tuner Card
Removable media devices
CD
Compact disc - CD is the most common type of removable media, inexpensive but has a short life.
- CD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a CD. This can not write a CD.
- CD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a CD.
DVD
Digital versatile disc - DVD is a popular type of removable media that is the same dimensions as a CD but stores up to 6 times as much information and better quality. It is the most common way of transferring digital video.
- DVD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a DVD. This can not write data.
- DVD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a DVD.
- DVD-RAM Drive - a device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a special type of DVD.
Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD
Blu-ray Disc - a relatively new media which is a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital information, including high-definition video.
- BD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a Blu-ray disc.
- BD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a Blu-ray disc.
- HD DVD - a high-density optical disc format and successor to the standard DVD. It was a discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format.
USB Pen drive
This is also known as USB flash drive. Today it has become a mandatory personal hardware for journalists to carry computer data with them. Flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk or CD. They have a more compact shape, operate faster, hold much more data, have a more durable design, and operate more reliably due to their lack of moving parts. A USB flash drive consists of a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface.
Tape drive
A device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, used for long term storage. Used by companies, banks, website hosting companies, video houses etc..
Old type storage drives
- Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible magnetic storage medium. Used today mainly for loading RAID drivers.
- Zip drive - an outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first introduced by Iomega in 1994.
Computer Ports
LAN port
Where you plug in a local-area network (LAN) connector or where you attach a broadband modem to the PC’s Input-Output panel.
Serial Port
An older kind of versatile computer connection socket that can connect a variety of devices to the PC; it has been largely replaced with USB ports now.
Printer Port
This is also known as the Parallel port. It is a computer connection socket that used to be the primary means of connecting a printer to your computer; still used with some printers and peripherals. Now a days even the printers are compatible with USB ports.
USB Port
This is the most simple, useful plug and use computer socket. You can plug in many kind of digital devices to a computer through this socket. Digical camera, USB pen drive, mobile phone etc... can be connected to PC individually or all together in a chain. This is port is technically known as Universal Serial Bus.
Modem
Modem is a device which is generally used to transmit data from one computer to a distant computer through a telecommunication line. Your internet or broadband connection is possible because of this device. This is the contraction of MOdulator-DEModulator. A device that converts digital data from a computer into analog data for transmission over telephone lines by modulating it into waves. At the other end, a modem converts the analog data back into digital form by demodulating it. Cable modems also convert data but that information may stay in digital form. Now a days there are wireless modems also.
Webcam
It is a small video camera that is attached to your computer and allows you to capture still or video images on to the computer. This is also helpful in video communication on the computer network like video chatting and teleconferencing.
Microphone
A microphone, referred to as a mike or mic, is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. You talk into this device and your voice is fed in to the computer in the digital format.
Headphones
They are also known as earphones, earbuds, stereophones, headsets or, informally cans. Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, with a way of holding them close to a user's ears and a means of connecting them to a signal source such as computer, audio amplifier, radio or CD player.
UPS
Uninterruptible power supply; basically, a power device with a chargable battery to keep your computer running for a short time when the power goes out.
