What You Should Know And Understand About Computer Components

If you belong to the baby boomer generation, chances are you may not be that familiar with all the computer components that are included in your PC

. You may even have the notion that it is not much different from your television set. Close enough, but unlike your TV for which the criteria for buying are limited, the PC has many additional components that require a working knowledge at the very least to help you decide which kind will work for you best.

Knowing and understanding the main characteristics of these diverse computer components may save you a lot of money in the long run. If you do not have any comprehension of the basic technical aspects of a computer, you may end up buying stuff you actually don't have much need for.

Before you decide on purchasing a personal computer, make a list of the tasks and activities you think you might need the computer for. Perhaps you want to maintain contact with family and friends through e-mails. Put that on your list. Maybe you want to create photo albums of all your family pictures or places you have been to; that is important information to be added to your list. In choosing a computer bear in mind that there are different computer components that may respond to particular activities ad task you plan to do. These components can be in hardware or software form.

Make Up of a Computer

A computer is a collection of replaceable modular electronic components that may have different characteristics, but which when integrated becomes capable of running computer programs. The term 'hardware' refers to all the physical elements of a computer; while 'software' denotes to the program parts inside the PC.

The hardware components revolve around the motherboard, which is made up of integrated circuits and electronic mechanisms (i.e., resistors, capacitors, transistors, and so on); all fused together to the main board and linked by a large number of circuit connectors. This motherboard is housed in a computer case with assigned slots for memory, processor and hard disk.

Buttons are provided for to allow you to switch the computer on and off. Indicator lights are also visible to help you validate the computers operation status as well as keep track of the hard drive's activity. At the back of the casing, you will find openings for the expansion board with the Input/output (I/O) interfaces, which are, of course, connected to the motherboard. The casing also includes the electrical power supply unit that provides continuous and stable electrical current to all the components that make up your personal computer.

Finally, the central processing unit (CPU) or processor must be connected to the rest of computer external elements or peripherals that comprise the basic components of a computer, inclusive of screen/monitor, keyboard, mouse and a whole wide range of other peripherals.

Most personal computers are provided with standard operating system upon purchase; and even some basic software applications, that you usually use for sending and accessing e-mails, editing and compiling family photos and if you are up to it, exploring the internet. Basic configuration is your final step and you're all set. For some last minute concerns before you purchase your personal computer, be sure you do some research to get a sense of what you are going to buy or not; that way, you can refrain from unnecessarily spending money for something you do not really need.

by: Dallas Hart

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