Hardware

What is Hardware?
Hardware is all the computer
equipment that can be seen
and touched inside and
outside the system case.

Hardware can be divided

in input and output
devices.
 Input Devices
The data and instructions that a computer recieves are called input. The hardware
that receives data is called input devices.
Here are a few examples:

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
 Output Devices
The information that a computer produces is called output. Output devices put the
information in a form that the user can understand. Examples are:

• Monitor
• Printer
• Speakers
• Flash Drive
• Plotter
 Other Devices
Some devices can be seen as input and output devices as they receive and
produces information.

A modem is a comunication
device that enables the user to
communicate via the telephone

A UPS is used to protect the user

against unexpected power failures.
 Processing Devices
These are some of the most important components of a computer.

Motherboard Combines input, output, storage and

processing components.

CPU The brain of the computer.

Memory Where programs and data are stored.

 Computer Performance
• The clock-speed of the CPU determines the speed at which
information will be processed.
• Increasing the amount of RAM improves the speed and
performance of the computer.
• The total capacity of the hard drive influences the performance of
the computer.
• The more aplications running at a specific time, the slower the
computer.