Computer Hardware

Major components of a PC

• Motherboard
  Large circuit board that majority of the components are mounted on. Aka. main board.
• Central Processing Unit
• Memory
• Secondary storage devices
• Input / Output sub system enables interaction with the users
  • Display Monitor (VDU)
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Scanner
  • Printer
  • Microphone / Speakers
  • Joystick / Game controller
• Additional controllers
  • Graphic / display controller
  • Network / Wi-Fi controllers
  • Audio Interface (Sound card)
  • Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller
• Chassis the platform that holds all other components
  • Power supply unit
  • Fan / cooling system

Traditional computer system

Can be classified into 2 types.

• Single-user computer system
  Can only be used by one user at a time.
• Multi-user computer system
  Can be used by multiple users through multiple terminals.