Computer Hardware

Subject classification: this is an information technology resource .

Educational level: this is a secondary education resource.

Resource type: this resource is a lesson.

Completion status: this resource is ~10% complete.

This lesson is part of the course Computing Fundamentals, a subset of IC³ certification.

IC3
Computing Fundamentals Computer Hardware Computer Software Using an Operating System
Key Applications Common Program Functions Word Processing Spreadsheets Presentation Software
Living Online Network Fundamentals Electronic Communication Internet Fundamentals Computer Use and Safety

Introduction

Computer Hardware

Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer. Hardware includes components such as the monitor, keyboard, hard drive disk, mouse, printers, graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips, etc.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites are courses it is suggested you understand before you attempt this course. If you're having a hard time understanding the material in this course, make sure you understand these prerequisites first.

• Introduction to Computers

Objectives

Objectives for the computer hardware portion of IC³ certification include:

• Identify types of computers, how they process data and information, and the purpose and function of different hardware components
• Identify how to maintain computer equipment and solve common problems relating to computer hardware

Lessons

1. Lesson1: Classes of computers.
2. Lesson2: Computer data processing.
3. Lesson3: Personal computer hardware.
4. Lesson4: Computer maintenance.

Activities

1. Review Types of computers.
2. Review Hardware.
3. Review Numeral systems.
4. Review Data sizes and speeds.
5. Review Data Coding and Information Decoding.
6. Review Caring for computer hardware.

Lesson Summary

• Types of computers include personal computers or workstations, midrange computers or servers, mainframe computers and supercomputers.
• Hardware component functions include input, processing, output, and storage.
• Input components include the keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, joystick, scanner, microphone, and camera.
• Processing components include the CPU, motherboard, chipset, RAM, ROM, busses, and expansion cards.
• Output components include the display, printers, and speakers.
• Storage components include fixed media such as hard drives and solid state drives and removable media such as USB flash drives, optical disk drives, and tape drives.