Hardware
Hardware
Computer hardware is all the physical parts of a computer.
Short version: The CPU and RAM determine how fast your computer will be. The hard drive determines how much stuff you can save on it. Higher measurements generally mean better computers for common statistics, except for weight.
Parts of a Computer
The CPU is the central processing unit. It does most of the work that you think of a computer doing. It does the calculations and computation and processing required, controlling almost everything that a computer does. How fast it is is determined by the processor speed (higher numbers meaning a faster processor), among other factors, so there’s not a super-simple way to compare them. If you’re working at a desk, the CPU is kinda like you.
RAM is random access memory. It stores information where it can be accessed more quickly than if it was on your hard drive, but it’s a limited amount. Think of it as being like the papers and books that you have open on your desk: you can’t fit as much there as can fit on bookshelves, but they’re much quicker to find. Also, you have to clean everything off when you’re done for the night; things don’t remain in RAM after your computer is turned off.
The hard drive (or solid state drive) is like the bookshelves and desk drawers. You can fit a lot of information there, and it’s where you save all your books and work and applications. However, it takes a little longer to take things out or put them away - to read or write to the hard drive.
The monitor is the display. It’s the part of your computer that you look at, and would be like the top level of papers on your desk. It’s generally connected to your computer with some type of cable, or built-in to laptops. It’s common among intense computer users to have multiple monitors in order to have more screen space. The resolution of the monitor means how many pixels the screen can display, and therefore how detailed the images it displays can be. This sometimes corresponds to the size of the monitor, since larger monitors need to be a higher resolution to maintain the same image clarity. However, given two screens the same size with different resolutions, the higher resolution one can display clearer images.
The motherboard is the circuit board that coordinates all the other pieces. It’s kind of like the desk itself, in that everything else is attached to it, and you can only fit so many other components on it.
A GPU is a graphics processing unit. GPUs are not found in every computer, or they may be integrated into the CPU. They serve a similar purpose to CPUs. GPUs come up often when people are talking about computers to play video games on, since that requires a good GPU to render the graphics. They may also be mentioned in the context of any graphics work or mining cryptocurrency, for the same reason - they’re very good at certain types of calculations.
Cables
There are many types of cables used to connect different pieces of equipment. A cable is mostly just a collection of wires used to transfer power and/or data between things. Different types of cables have different ends, which plug into different ports, and are used for different purposes.
Power Cables
Power cables provide power. You should be familiar with these. Of course, there are a ton of different types of power cables that plug into different types of phones or computers or other devices, and sometimes they are built directly into things. Some of the most common endings on the device end for phones are micro-USB, USB-C, and Apple’s Lightning connector. Laptops may require different connectors, as may other devices like monitors and printers. (My roommates and I never did find a power cable for our printer.)
Additionally, wall outlets, which you are likely plugging your power cables into, vary by country. Other countries’ outlets may have different shapes and voltages, so it is important to check if you need an adapter when you are traveling.
Data Cables
Data cables transmit data between things.
Ethernet cables are basically Internet cables. You can use an Ethernet cable to plug your computer into the wall to connect to wired Internet, or less commonly, into another computer.
There are several types of cables for transmitting video. From oldest to newest, the most common ones I have seen are VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Mini DisplayPort. HDMI is probably the most common one, currently, but check before investing in a cable. Here I am with an adapter from Mini DisplayPort to VGA, because I have a MacBook and VGA is the kind of monitor $5 gets you.
The various USB cables which are used for transmitting power can also be used to transmit data. The basic USB (Type A) cables are commonly used for computer peripherals like keyboards, mice, and flash drives (which use the USB connector, but rarely have a long cable in between). USB-C cables are becoming common as well for similar things.
Oh, and there’s also those cables that are used to plug headphones in.
There’s plenty of other kinds of cables out there, but I haven’t needed to use them, so they’re probably not too critical. Except for the ones inside your computer, they might be important if you’re building a computer. Then you might need to learn about SATA cables or something.
Other Equipment to Set up Internet
Need to set up your own home computer and Internet and everything? There’s a couple more things you’ll need.
A modem connects your house to the greater Internet at large, and changes the signals from the Internet provider to ones that you can use.
A router is a device between the modem and your personal computers and devices. This may be combined with the modem, or may require an Ethernet cable to connect it to the modem. The router in your home is where the wi-fi originates. It allows your devices to coexist and communicate.
It is possible to log into your router from your computer, assuming your computer is connected to it. When you first get one, you should change the login password at the very least. It can be used for other things, but I didn’t even really know what a router was until after I finished my CS degree, so they’re probably not too critical.
Alternate Explanations
What is Computer Hardware? by Crucial
More references coming later, if I remember. Or suggest one that’s not trying to sell you stuff.