Hardware
Hardware is the physical parts of the computer.
Monitor:
An output device that produces a visual display of what the computer
produces
Keyboard:
An input device that you use to tell the computer what you want it to do
by typing instructions
Click on the underlined word Keyboard
to learn more about the functions of the keys on the keyboard.
Mouse:
An input device that you use to tell the computer what to do by moving
the cursor and pointing it at something on the monitor and pressing on one of
the mouse buttons. The cursor is an arrow or I-beam on the screen that you move
around with a mouse to select a command or position for typing.
Click on the underlined word Mouse
to learn the functions of the buttons on the mouse.
CPU
(central processing unit): The brains of the computer where all of the
information is processed
Drive: A
device in a computer system used to store and retrieve data. Some examples are hard
drive, floppy
disk drive, or CD/DVD
drive.
Click on the underlined word Drive
to learn the functions of the buttons on the mouse.
Peripherals:
Any external device that plugs into your computer, such as a printer,
scanner,
or speaker.
The mouse and the keyboard are also peripherals.
Click on the underlined word Peripherals
to learn about peripherals.
Use
the illustration at the top of the page to help you locate each part of your
computer's hardware.
Introduction to Computers
Developed by Alyce Bunting, Jintavee Monsakul, and Donna Green
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