The Hardware that Makes Up a Personal Computer

Hardware is an easy term to understand for PC users. It is the part of a PC that is generally housed in a separate case, just like a car. Computer hardware is divided into three main categories: operating systems, motherboards, and hard drives. Operating systems are what controls the software of a PC. For example, Windows is an operating system while Mac OS X is a mother board which controls the software and hardware of the computer.


Motherboards are what connects the various component devices of the computer system together. They usually connect the CPU (or central processing units) to the memory and storage controllers. All the major components of a computing machine are installed inside a computer system motherboard. Hard drives, on the other hand, are one of the most essential hardware components of computer hardware. They are used to store data and, in some cases, can be configured as a storage device. Hard drives can also communicate with external peripheral devices via a peripheral cable.

While it seems very complicated to think about the computer hardware, in reality it is relatively simple. The physical components of the hardware are similar to those of an automobile. The main difference is the number of components (e.g., an ATX computer system has four components, an Intel Pentium processor has eight). Each component has its own function, and it is important to understand how each part works and why it is used. There are three kinds of component: analog components, digital components, and firmware based components. All three kinds of components play an important role in a computing device’s operation, although they are not essential.

Today’s computers use a variety of hardware. For example, desktops have built-in word processors and databases; digital cameras have built-in picture processors and sound systems; watches have built-in wristwatch software and GPS/compass units. All these different kinds of hardware can be accessed through a single operating system. Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and several other operating systems run on the majority of desktop PCs today. As mentioned above, desktop computers usually have all the necessary hardware installed in them already.

In order for computers to operate efficiently, the operating system must know how to access and use all the different types of hardware that are installed in the machine. In fact, an OS must be written specifically for each type of hardware, which makes it especially difficult for a novice computer user to learn how to operate his or her computer. Hardware such as monitors and speakers are commonly referred to as “peripherals.” Peripherals allow a computing device to communicate with other devices and to do work. Peripheral devices are also the software part of personal computers.

The central processing unit is the single most important piece of hardware inside any personal computer. It controls what programs the CPU executes. The CPU is the most complex piece of hardware to maintain in a personal computer because it has many different functions and frequently needs updating. The operating system maintains and upgrades the operating system and all the various programs running on the CPU. The central processing unit and its many different components make up the core component of an OS.