What is Computer Hardware?

Want to know what makes your computer do all the cool things like playing games or watching videos? It’s the hardware! Hardware is the parts of a computer you can touch, like the screen, keyboard, or the bits inside it. These parts team up with software (the instructions) to make your computer work. Let’s check out what’s inside and outside your computer!

Definition

Computer hardware is the physical components you can touch in a computer, like the processor, memory, storage, motherboard, graphics card, and peripherals like keyboards and monitors. These components work together to run software and perform computing tasks, making your computer function as intended.

Hardware Types

There are two kinds of hardware:

• Inside parts (internal hardware)
• Outside parts (external hardware)

What Are Inside Parts?

Inside parts are the pieces hidden inside your computer that make it run. Think of them like the engine of a car. Here’s what they do:

• Motherboard: The big board that connects everything, like a puzzle holding all the pieces.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit): The brain that does all the thinking, like when you open an app.
• RAM (Random Access Memory): A short-term memory that holds stuff while you work, like when you’re playing a game.
• Hard Drive or SSD: Where your pictures, games, and files are saved for good.
• Power Supply: Turns wall electricity into power for your computer.
• Video Card (GPU): Makes pictures and videos look good on your screen.
• Cooling Fan: Keeps your computer from getting too hot, like a fan on a hot day.

Note: Some older computers have a CD/DVD drive, but most new ones don’t use them anymore.

What Are Outside Parts?

Outside parts are things you plug into your computer to use it. They help you talk to your computer or add extra stuff. Some need their own power (like a printer), but others get power from the computer (like a mouse).

• Mouse: Moves the pointer on your screen to click stuff.
• Keyboard: Lets you type words and numbers.
• Monitor: The screen that shows what’s on your computer.
• Speakers: Play music or sounds from videos.
• Microphone: Records your voice or lets you talk in calls.
• USB Flash Drive: A small stick to save or move files.
• Printer: Prints papers or pictures.
• Scanner: Turns papers into computer files.

These parts need to work with your computer. For example, a printer has to match the computer and the paper you use.

Hardware vs. Software: What’s Different?

Your computer needs two things to work: hardware and software. Here’s the difference:

• Hardware: The stuff you can touch, like the keyboard or screen.
• Software: The instructions that tell hardware what to do, like Windows or your favorite game.

Think of hardware as a toy car and software as the kid playing with it. You can touch the car, but the kid’s ideas make it move. Without hardware, software can’t do anything. Without software, hardware just sits there. They need each other to make your computer awesome!

What’s Next?

Now you know the basics of computer hardware! You’ve learned about the parts inside and outside your computer and how they work with software to make everything happen. Want to learn more? Try finding out what each part looks like in your computer or explore how software, like games or apps, talks to the hardware. Keep playing with your computer and have fun learning!