{"id":2843,"date":"2019-12-02T20:20:54","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T20:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-computerapplicationsmgrs\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=2843"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:08:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:08:52","slug":"hardware","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-computerapplicationsmgrs\/chapter\/hardware\/","title":{"raw":"Hardware","rendered":"Hardware"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Discuss the role hardware plays in computing<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nComputer hardware\u00a0(usually simply called\u00a0hardware\u00a0when a computing context is concerned) is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware is the physical parts or components of a computer. Hardware may be the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard disk drive (HDD), graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard, and so on, all of which are tangible physical objects, meaning objects that you can touch.\r\n<h2>Mainboard<\/h2>\r\nThe motherboard (Figure 1) is the main component of a computer. It is a large rectangular board with integrated circuitry that connects the other parts of the computer, including the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the Random Access Memory (RAM), the disk drives (CD, DVD, hard disk, or any others) as well as any peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots.\r\n\r\nComponents directly attached to or part of the motherboard include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>CPU<\/strong>\u00a0(Central Processing Unit) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the \u201cbrain\u201d of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan. Most newer CPUs include an on-die Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>Chipset<\/strong>, which includes the north bridge, mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>Random-Access Memory<\/strong>\u00a0(RAM) stores the code and data that are being actively accessed by the CPU.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>Read-Only Memory<\/strong>\u00a0(ROM) stores the BIOS that runs when the computer is powered on or otherwise begins execution, a process known as Bootstrapping, or \u201cbooting\u201d or \u201cbooting up.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>BIOS<\/strong>\u00a0(Basic Input Output System) includes boot firmware and power management firmware. Newer motherboards use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of BIOS.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Buses<\/strong>\u00a0connect the CPU to various internal components and to expand cards for graphics and sound.<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CMOS battery is also attached to the motherboard. This battery is the same as a watch battery or a battery for a remote to a car\u2019s central locking system. Most batteries are CR2032, which powers the memory for date and time in the BIOS chip.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5313\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5313\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3008\/2019\/12\/15221003\/Computer-motherboard-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"Computer motherboard model DellT3600\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" \/> Figure 1. Computer motherboard[\/caption]\r\n<h2>Storage<\/h2>\r\nComputer data storage, often called storage, refers to computer components and recording media that retain digital data. Data storage is a core function and fundamental component of computers. The price of solid-state drives (SSD), which store data on flash memory, has dropped significantly, in recent years, making them a better choice than ever to add to a computer to make booting up and accessing files faster.\r\n<h3>Fixed media<\/h3>\r\nData is stored by a computer using a variety of media. Hard disk drives are found in virtually all older computers, due to their high capacity and low cost, but solid-state drives are faster and more power efficient, although currently more expensive than hard drives, so are often found in more expensive computers. Some systems may use a disk array controller\u00a0for greater performance or reliability.\r\n<h3>Removable media<\/h3>\r\nTo transfer data between computers, a USB flash drive (Figure 2) or Optical disc may be used. Their usefulness depends on being readable by other systems; the majority of machines have an optical disk drive, and virtually all have a USB port.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5333\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"320\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-5333\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3008\/2019\/12\/30203303\/Different_USB_flash_drives.jpg\" alt=\"Eight different USB flash drives\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/> Figure 2. Different USB flash drives[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/3aa9e94f-193c-463c-8ccd-f7183325e7fb\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Input and Output<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4441\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"350\"]<img class=\"wp-image-4441\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3008\/2019\/12\/31175127\/editors-keys-CtDrd7mWW6M-unsplash-e1580493108478-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"A keyboard sitting on a desk\" width=\"350\" height=\"197\" \/> Figure 3. A keyboard sitting on a desk[\/caption]\r\n\r\nInput and output devices are typically housed externally to the main computer chassis. The following are either standard or very common to many computer systems.\r\n<h3>Input<\/h3>\r\nInput devices allow the user to enter information into the system, or control its operation. Most personal computers have a keyboard (Figure 3) and a mouse, but laptop systems typically use a\u00a0touchpad instead of a mouse. Other input devices include webcams, microphones, joysticks, and image scanners.\r\n<h3>Output device<\/h3>\r\nOutput devices display information in a human readable form. Such devices could include printers, speakers, monitors or a Braille embosser.","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Discuss the role hardware plays in computing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Computer hardware\u00a0(usually simply called\u00a0hardware\u00a0when a computing context is concerned) is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware is the physical parts or components of a computer. Hardware may be the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard disk drive (HDD), graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard, and so on, all of which are tangible physical objects, meaning objects that you can touch.<\/p>\n<h2>Mainboard<\/h2>\n<p>The motherboard (Figure 1) is the main component of a computer. It is a large rectangular board with integrated circuitry that connects the other parts of the computer, including the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the Random Access Memory (RAM), the disk drives (CD, DVD, hard disk, or any others) as well as any peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots.<\/p>\n<p>Components directly attached to or part of the motherboard include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>CPU<\/strong>\u00a0(Central Processing Unit) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the \u201cbrain\u201d of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan. Most newer CPUs include an on-die Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>Chipset<\/strong>, which includes the north bridge, mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>Random-Access Memory<\/strong>\u00a0(RAM) stores the code and data that are being actively accessed by the CPU.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>Read-Only Memory<\/strong>\u00a0(ROM) stores the BIOS that runs when the computer is powered on or otherwise begins execution, a process known as Bootstrapping, or \u201cbooting\u201d or \u201cbooting up.\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The\u00a0<strong>BIOS<\/strong>\u00a0(Basic Input Output System) includes boot firmware and power management firmware. Newer motherboards use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of BIOS.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Buses<\/strong>\u00a0connect the CPU to various internal components and to expand cards for graphics and sound.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CMOS battery is also attached to the motherboard. This battery is the same as a watch battery or a battery for a remote to a car\u2019s central locking system. Most batteries are CR2032, which powers the memory for date and time in the BIOS chip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_5313\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5313\" class=\"wp-image-5313\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3008\/2019\/12\/15221003\/Computer-motherboard-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"Computer motherboard model DellT3600\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5313\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. Computer motherboard<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Storage<\/h2>\n<p>Computer data storage, often called storage, refers to computer components and recording media that retain digital data. Data storage is a core function and fundamental component of computers. The price of solid-state drives (SSD), which store data on flash memory, has dropped significantly, in recent years, making them a better choice than ever to add to a computer to make booting up and accessing files faster.<\/p>\n<h3>Fixed media<\/h3>\n<p>Data is stored by a computer using a variety of media. Hard disk drives are found in virtually all older computers, due to their high capacity and low cost, but solid-state drives are faster and more power efficient, although currently more expensive than hard drives, so are often found in more expensive computers. Some systems may use a disk array controller\u00a0for greater performance or reliability.<\/p>\n<h3>Removable media<\/h3>\n<p>To transfer data between computers, a USB flash drive (Figure 2) or Optical disc may be used. Their usefulness depends on being readable by other systems; the majority of machines have an optical disk drive, and virtually all have a USB port.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5333\" style=\"width: 330px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5333\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3008\/2019\/12\/30203303\/Different_USB_flash_drives.jpg\" alt=\"Eight different USB flash drives\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5333\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 2. Different USB flash drives<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_3aa9e94f-193c-463c-8ccd-f7183325e7fb\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/3aa9e94f-193c-463c-8ccd-f7183325e7fb?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_3aa9e94f-193c-463c-8ccd-f7183325e7fb\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Input and Output<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_4441\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4441\" class=\"wp-image-4441\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3008\/2019\/12\/31175127\/editors-keys-CtDrd7mWW6M-unsplash-e1580493108478-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"A keyboard sitting on a desk\" width=\"350\" height=\"197\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-4441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 3. A keyboard sitting on a desk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Input and output devices are typically housed externally to the main computer chassis. The following are either standard or very common to many computer systems.<\/p>\n<h3>Input<\/h3>\n<p>Input devices allow the user to enter information into the system, or control its operation. Most personal computers have a keyboard (Figure 3) and a mouse, but laptop systems typically use a\u00a0touchpad instead of a mouse. Other input devices include webcams, microphones, joysticks, and image scanners.<\/p>\n<h3>Output device<\/h3>\n<p>Output devices display information in a human readable form. Such devices could include printers, speakers, monitors or a Braille embosser.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-2843\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Practice Question. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Sherri Pendleton. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Modification of Computer Hardware. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Northern Virginia Community Collegeu2019s Extended Learning Institute. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/zeliite115\/chapter\/reading-hardware-2\/\">https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/zeliite115\/chapter\/reading-hardware-2\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Computer motherboard. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Marcin Wieclaw (pcsite.co.uk). <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pcsite.co.uk\/product\/dell-precision-t3600-motherboard-8hpgt-5507\/\">https:\/\/pcsite.co.uk\/product\/dell-precision-t3600-motherboard-8hpgt-5507\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Different USB flash drives. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Santeri Viinamu00e4ki. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Wikipedia Commons. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Different_USB_flash_drives.jpg\">https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Different_USB_flash_drives.jpg<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Specific attribution<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Untitled. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Editors Keys. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Unsplash. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/CtDrd7mWW6M\">https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/CtDrd7mWW6M<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/cc0\">CC0: No Rights Reserved<\/a><\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Unsplash License<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":17,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Modification of Computer Hardware\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Northern Virginia Community Collegeu2019s Extended Learning Institute\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/zeliite115\/chapter\/reading-hardware-2\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Practice Question\",\"author\":\"Sherri Pendleton\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc-attribution\",\"description\":\"Untitled\",\"author\":\"Editors Keys\",\"organization\":\"Unsplash\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/CtDrd7mWW6M\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc0\",\"license_terms\":\"Unsplash 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