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What's Inside A Computer?

You're looking at the Sunday paper where all the circulars are advertising computers on sale. Desktops and laptops are on sale, different makes, models and prices. Which one should you get? You haven't a clue, have you?

Do you know what you're looking for? It's ok, if you don't. But before you even THINK about getting a computer, you should know what is INSIDE the computer. Notice, I said 'what is IN the computer' not what you see when it's advertised in the newpaper or what you see when you go to the store. You'll learn that a little later.

Right now, your lesson begins. You need to know what makes up the computer - knowing what is on the inside of the computer is more important than what is on the outside.

Now, there are 7 parts to a computer which you should you know about. To keep this very 'user friendly' notice the list:

  1. motherboard
  2. CPU
  3. memory
  4. video card
  5. power supply
  6. hard drive
  7. optical drive
  8. To continue in UF (user friendly) mode, you don't need to read a lot of words to understand what these hardware parts are. In the simpliest, easiest way, breaking it down for you, one by one:


    Motherboard

    When you think of the word mother what comes to your mind? The woman who gave birth to you, who gave you life. Well, the same can be said for the motherboard of the computer. It is the heart of the computer, allowing other parts of the computer to be attached to it so that they can work properly. The motherboard gives the computer life.


    CPU

    Just like your heart, another vital organ you have in your body is your brain. The CPU - Central Processing Unit is the brain of the computer. The CPU allows the computer to run and execute programs; in other words, it makes the computer think.


    MEMORY

    RAM - (Random Access Memory) stores the data and software that runs on a computer. Interestingly, a piece of data can be retrieved in an instant or at random.


    VIDEO CARD

    It's nice when you can sit down and watch your favorite movie or show on TV. Your computer has a television, in a sense - your monitor or LCD screen. The video card inside the computer creates the images that appear on your computer's 'television'.


    POWER SUPPLY

    Simply put, this is where the computer get it's power to run.


    HARD DRIVE

    The hard drive is where your data is stored on the computer. A very sensitive device which needs special attention.


    OPTICAL DRIVE

    This is an drive that uses laser light to read & write data. Examples of an optical drive: CD-ROM, CD-R/W Drive, DVD-R/W


    Was it painful to read and understand what is inside a computer? Hopefully it wasn't for you. All you have to do is remember the words in bold.

    If you have to jot down notes, do that. If you have to read over the words again, that's ok too.

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