Computer Parts and Devices

A computer is an electronic machine that processes data. Information given to the computer is called data. Computer works very fast. It saves your time and energy. It does not make mistakes.
It can remember a lot of things. The basic parts of a computer are shown in the picture given here.

The basic parts of a computer system are:

• CPU
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Speakers
• Headphones
• Printer
• Microphones
• Scanner

 

CPU

The full form of CPU is Central Processing Unit. To process means to work on something and give a result. The CPU is the brain of a computer. It controls the other parts of the computer. The CPU is small. It is found inside the CPU box. The CPU box has other parts too.

Monitor

The computer’s monitor looks like a TV. It has a screen that shows us words, numbers, pictures, and so on. The work we do on a computer can be seen on the screen.

Keyboard

The keyboard has buttons called keys. Most keys have a letter or a number on them. To type a letter or number, we press its key.  We use the keyboard to type in words, letters and numbers into the computer. We can see what we type on the screen.

The keyboard has many keys that do not have letters or numbers. These keys have different uses. For example, the Spacebar key is used to put in space between words.

Mouse

The Computer’s mouse helps us move to different parts of the screen. We use it to point at and select things on the screen. We use it to move things, like icons (A icon is a small picture of a program or file on the computer), on the screen. We also use the mouse to draw and paint on the screen.

Printer

We use a printer to print things like letters or pictures. The printed paper is called a printout. A printout is also called a hard copy. The hard copy shows us information that can have words, numbers and pictures. The same information seen on the screen or stored on a computer is called soft copy.

Speakers

We can connect speakers and headphones to a computer. We use speakers to listen to music and others sounds on the computer.

Microphones

A computer may have a microphone connected to it. We speak into a microphone when we chat using a computer. The microphone is also used to record sounds. 

Scanner

A scanner is a device that scans documents such as photographs and pages of text. When a document is scanned, it is converted into a digital format. For example, we can scan a drawing made on paper and save it on the computer.

Storage Devices

A storage devices is used to store information for future use. Computer keep information in files (A file is a collection of data stored in the form of text, pictures, music or video etc.). Files can be stored in different kinds of storage devices, like hard disk, CDs, DVDs and pen drives. Sometimes we need to copy files from a computer. We copy files using CDs, DVDs or pen drives. These help us carry files to other computers. Remember that these are not parts of a computer.

Hard Disk:

A hard disk is the main storage device found inside a computer. It can store large amounts of data. All the work done on a computer can be stored on the hard disk.

CD:

CD stands for Compact Disc. CDs are circular in shape and can store approximately 700 MB of data. It can easily carried from one place to another. Most of the programs and games that you used on your computer are also available on CDs. To use a CD, we put it into the CD drive of the computer.

DVD:

DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc. A DVD looks like a CD but can store more data than it. You can store many movies and games in a DVD. To use a DVD, we put it into the DVD drive of the computer.

Pen Drive:

Pen drive is a storage device which is very small in size. It can easily carried in a pocket or bag. A pen drive can be used to store and transfer data from one computer to another. Pen drives can store more information than CDs and DVDs. To use a pen drive, we plug it into the computer. A pen drive is also called a memory stick or flash drive or thumb drive.

UPS:

Some computer are connected to a UPS. UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. When the power fails, the computer gets electricity from the UPS. Remember that a UPS is not a part of the computer. It just helps to run the computer smoothly.

Share This