Components of a Computer

We explain what the components of a computer are, the internal and external hardware, the software and the types of computers.

The components of a computer

A computer is a computer system composed of two basic aspects: hardware which means “physical support”, and the software, which refers to the intangible or the “program”. Physical media are electronic elements that work connected to provide data, and that data is processed thanks to the instructions provided by the programs.

The hardware is like a box in which a series of devices are connected that process input and output information. Software is the set of instructions to execute that input and output information. Without software instructions, the computer would be a useless box, just as the human body would be without a brain.

See also: Hardware and software

computer hardware

Hardware refers to the different tangible elements of a computer and can be internal or external.

He internal hardware It is mainly made up of:

• Motherboard (or motherboard) It is the main board of any computer system to which all other devices connect, both directly (such as interconnected electrical circuits) and indirectly (through USB ports or other types of connectors). It has a basic software called BIOS that allows it to perform and synchronize its basic functions (such as data transmission, electrical power management, and recognizing the physical connection of other external components).
• Processor It is the Central Processing Unit (CPU), that is, the brain of the computer that controls everything that the computer executes and is responsible for performing calculations and understanding data. There are several types of CPUs that differ, among other things, in their speed at processing information. That speed is measured in a unit of frequency called Hertz (or Hertz in Spanish) and, the faster the speed achieved by the processor, the faster the computer's performance will be. Currently, the two main brands of CPUs are AMD and Intel.
• Internal RAM memory. It is the memory that stores information, temporarily and quickly, for the computer to use at the moment. Its storage capacity is measured in units called gigabytes (GB). The greater the amount of RAM, the faster the computer can run, for example, to open and use several programs at the same time. The contents of RAM are deleted as soon as the computer is turned off because it does not store data (files, videos, programs, etc.), but rather retains information about the actions being performed with that data. It does not store the file or the program itself, but rather the information to run it.
• Internal ROM memory. It is the memory that stores information permanently and is called “read-only”, that is, the user cannot alter the content once that information has been stored, they can only install or uninstall it. The ROM memory stores everything related to instructions or what is also called BIOS (basic system or boot program) and includes the instructions of how the machine starts or how the programs work, among others.
• Video card Also known as a “graphics card,” it is an internal hardware device that connects to the motherboard and allows the computer to display images on the monitor. It requires the installation of software to tell the computer how to use that video card. The user can modify the configuration of the image projected on the monitor, for example, the quality (higher or lower definition), the size, among others.
• Sound plate It is an internal hardware device that connects to the motherboard and is classified according to the channels it uses, for example, stereo, quadraphonic (surround sound), MIDI (professional use connector), among others. The main function of the board is to allow the computer to play sounds (music, voice or any audio signal) through speakers or headphones. It also receives sounds from the user through a microphone connection.
• Secondary storage device It is the memory that stores data permanently (or until the user deletes it), such as documents, spreadsheets, images, videos, audios, file backups, among others. They are stored data that the computer does not need immediately or quickly for its operation, but rather the user uses it directly. There are two types of secondary storage devices: internal (the hard drive) and external (external hard drive, memory card, pen drive, CD ROM, etc.).

He external hardware of a computer is mainly made up of:

• Input devices They are pieces that receive raw data and that the computer can process through the corresponding software. They are divided into two categories: manual input devices, which must be operated by the user (keyboard, mouse, touch screen, microphone, etc.) and automatic input devices, which trigger the entry of information on their own, independently. user (magnetic stripe reader, magnetic ink character recognition, PIN and chip reader, barcode reader, etc.).
• Output devices They are pieces that send out the data processed by the computer. There are two types: temporary output (such as the monitor, which constantly updates the output image on the screen) and permanent output (such as the printer, which reproduces information on paper that persists as a printed copy).
• Peripheral devices These are the majority of input and output devices that are considered “non-essential” external hardware components because the computer can function without them. For example, speakers, webcam, keyboard, microphone, printer, scanner, mouse, joystick, among others.

computer software

Software is the “non-physical” part of the computer, which exists in the form of codes that contain instructions so the hardware knows what to do. Without these programs, most hardware devices would be useless. There are two types:

• System software They are the programs preinstalled on the computer, which allow supporting other programs installed by the user. Some examples are operating systems (Windows, Mac OS, Linux, BIOS, etc.), disk cleaners, disk defragmenters, antiviruses, graphics drivers, encryption software, among others.
• Application software These are programs that have nothing to do with the operation of the computer, but rather are installed by the user to perform specific functions. For example, spreadsheets (Excel), word processors (Word), database programs (Access), graphic design programs (Illustrator), Internet browsers (Chrome), among others.

Types of computers

There are different types of computers that vary according to their size, design and complexity of functions capable of performing. However, all of them are based on the components detailed above. Among the main types of computers are:

• Personal computer Its name comes from English personal computer (PC), also called “desktop”. It is commonly used in the home or office.
• Laptop Also called notebookis a smaller and lighter machine than the PC, designed to be transported easily. It is for personal or work use.
• Netbook It is similar to the notebookonly it is smaller in size and weight, so its screen and keyboard are much smaller. It is designed to be transported and used anywhere.
• Central unit Also called mainframe It is a very large, powerful and expensive computer, for business or industrial use that allows large-scale data processing.

Continue with: Internal parts of a computer

References

• “Hardware” in TIC Resources.
• «System software» in Concepto.de.
• «Computer components» on ICTlounge.com.