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Computer hardware is a physical part of a computer that executes within the hardware. It is unlike computer software or data that can be frequently changed, modified or erased on a computer. Computer hardware is not frequently changed and so is stored in hardware devices such as read only memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed.

Most computer hardware is embedded and so is not visible to normal users. Below are the different types of hardware’s found in a computer.

Ø Motherboard: It is the central or primary circuit board making up a complex electronic system such as a computer. A motherboard is also known as a main board, logic board or system board.
Ø Central processing Unit: A CPU is the main component of a digital computer that interprets instructions and process data in computer programs.
Ø Random Access Memory: A RAM allows the stored data to be accessed in any order. RAM is considered as the main memory of the computer where the working area is used for displaying and manipulating data.
Ø Basic Input Output System: BIOS prepares the software programs to load, execute and control the computer.
Ø Power Supply: Power Supply supplies electrical energy to an output load or group of loads.
Ø Video Display Controller: It converts the logical representation of visual information into a signal that can be used as input for a display medium.
Ø Computer Bus: It is used to transfer data or power between computer components inside a computer or between computers.
Ø CD-ROM drive: It contains data accessible by a computer
Ø Floppy disk: It is a data storage device
Ø Zip Drive: It is a medium capacity removable disk storage system.
Ø Hard Disk: It is a non-volatile data storage system that stores data on a magnetic surface layered unto hard disk platters.  Read more...

Many people know how to use a computer but only few are aware of the great need for disposing off the used parts of a computer, in a safe manner. Many IT organisations have failed to assume sufficient responsibility for the ultimate end of used PC. The first step to be taken towards greening the computer hardware should be initiated by the manufacturers and retailers end. Manufacturing and selling companies should take a closer look at the policy of the IT organisation, towards the PC and computer hardware take back, before even buying. They should also keep account of the Electronic Take back Coalition, and maintain a list of recyclers that have pledged to adhere to certain corporate responsibility standards, including incinerate e-waste. Even the people who own computers at home should be not reckless regarding the disposition of their used computer hardware. They too should be conscious about utilizing waste in the right manner. The initial step is not to throw away any used or outdated computer hardware in the dumpster. Instead recycle it. Be it your hard drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse, or printer, one can dispose it by recycling it in the right manner. Today, there are many recycling centres like City of Lubbock Solid Waste Department in Texas. Here they inspect all the disposed parts of a computer to check whether any hardware is working or not. Special care is taken to assure hard drives are completely erased prior to refurbishing activities. They have their own group of engineers who refurbish these computer particles and offers them to the state agencies counties, cities or school districts at no charge. Some other ways to make your computer hardware green are discussed below – Green Search – Instead of using the Google search engine, use Blackle. com. This is an eco friendly site that works on black resolution, thus saving less energy that is consumed by the white resolution. Further there is option for switching to black wallpapers and screen savers that consume lesser power than white or colored backgrounds. Use LCD Screen – Replacing your CRT monitors with LCD screen will help you save up to 70% of electricity and the lifespan of the LCD is also twice more than the CRT. Optimise Your PC’s Power Setting With iYogi Toolbar – One can optimize energy consumption of a PC by switching it to the power saving mode. For this one can take the help of Yogi Green PC tool bar that can be installed on all Windows-based systems. Switch to Vista Green – Power consumption in Windows Vista is less than in Windows XP. Switching off to that mode will help one saving a lot of energy. Last but not the least, always remember to shut down the monitor when not in use. Always remember to unplug all the input as well as storage devices to save power. Its time for everyone to realize the environment hampering that are caused by throwing the e particles into waste bins. The impact of that negligence on the environment worldwide can be huge. It is estimated that around 1. 8 billion pounds of PCs are retired worldwide each year, but only about half —865 million pounds—are processed by recyclers, as per the report issued International Data Corp. Although some of the remaining 900 million pounds of computer hardware is rebuilt or reused, much of it is just plain discarded into landfills or incinerated. Incorporate the above few points, the next time you are thinking of discarding these unused or old parts of your computer.

Computer hardware means the physical part of a computer. No software or program can do anything without proper hardware. Moreover the success or performance of a software program depends completely on the computer hardware being used. So it becomes absolutely important that we buy quality computer hardware.

Now that you have decided to buy computer parts, the next big step is where to buy them from. One tends to always buy from a friendly neighborhood computer hardware dealer. But, with the advent of Internet, one has the convenience of going through literally hundreds of product catalogs and arriving at a purchasing decision.

The Internet is a popular place to check out computer hardware sales, but you must be sure that when you buy hardware (or any purchase) over the Internet, the site offers some kind of security to prevent information about you from being stolen.

Buying a computer part online is often cheaper than buying it from a dealer, as the overhead costs are reduced. This means that you pay less and get more. This is one advantage that has led people in increasing numbers to shop for parts online, especially from a wholesaler. Since the entire sales channel is literally cut in half, you do not pay for the extra margin, which you would have had you purchased the same from a retailer. There is also the convenience factor of shopping online.  Read more...

E waste is one of the most serious issues that has engulfed the whole world. The obsolete computers, if not treated properly can become a major source of toxins and carcinogens. Rapid technology change, low initial cost and even planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing environmental concerns across the globe. Though many countries boast of technical solutions but in most cases a legal framework, a collection system, logistics and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution can be applied. E waste comprise 2% of America’s total trash and 70 percent of overall toxic waste. In the United States, an estimated 70% of heavy metals in landfills come from discarded electronics. Recycling is one of the most effective ways to prevent the hazard of e waste. Many material used in the construction of hardware can be recovered and recycled. Reuse of tin, silicon, iron, aluminum, and a variety of plastics – all present in bulk in computers – is possible and can reduce the costs of constructing new systems. Electronic devices like including audio-visual components (televisions, VCRs, stereo equipment), mobile phones and other hand-held devices, and computer components, also contain valuable elements and substances that are suitable for reclamation. Powering and cooling computers is an increasing contributor to global warming and the power it consumes also contribute to a negative effect on the environment. In this regard, various government as well as non government agencies have taken significant initiatives to curb it. One of the main organisation that takes the responsibility of checking the e waste is CFA, that installs various measures to aware computer hardware manufacturers as well as consumers about the hazards of e-waste. Information on the dangers involved in improper disposal of computer hardware is provided to the computer labs. The supply of quality hardware is also restricted to beneficiaries only. CFA provides comprehensive on-site ICT support to beneficiaries, ensuring the equipment functions for the longest possible time with the greatest positive impact. To counter this further, Userful desktops are being deployed all around the world with a typical configuration of six stations per computer. Research has shown that Userful products can reduce electronic waste by up to 80 percent, further decreasing its environmental footprint. It was supported by the data that stated that in the past year, Userful desktops have helped to minimise the computer hardware waste by 29,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to taking more than 5,000 cars off the road. The consumers too need to get sensitive about the whole issue when the impact of computer hardware on environment, is in discussion. We should look for eco friendly ways to dispose off the computer waste and follow the recycling programmes all over the country. There are various companies like Sony, Toshiba and Gateway that offer take back programmes that provide monetary incentives for recyclable and/or working technologies. One should go for reuse and up gradation of the present PC unless it is very essential to dispose off. Selling off the old computers to the used product market is another option.

Does the technical name of different component of a computer, such as RAM, processor, scares you off? In this article, we will be covering most of the hardware in regardless of the form size (physical size of the computer casing) Essential Computer Hardware consists of Mainboard CPU RAM Hard Disk Drive Graphic Card Power Supply / Casing Keyboard / Mouse Monitor DVD Writer Mainboard (Motherboard) This is the biggest piece of hardware in the system. This is where various other essential components connect onto it, such as CPU, Ram, Hard Disk drive, etc, to it. Modern mid-range mainboard usually comes with add-on component such LAN port, sound card and graphics card. As other hardware connects to the mainboard, it is important to ensure that the mainboard purchased is of high caliber and has at least the add-on component as stated in the paragraph above. Central Processing Unit (CPU) This is one of the computer hardware that determines the speed of the whole system. The other determining hardware are the RAM and Hard Disk Drive. Single Core CPUs are almost obsolete and are much slower compared to their Dual Core / Quad Core counterparts. Usually a numeric figure is stated and that is the clock frequency, commonly known as the speed of the CPU. Usually the higher the clock frequency, the faster your data can be processed. Ram Known as Random Access Memory, are memory chips where data are temporary stored. By storing the data on RAMs, the CPU is able to process the data in a shorter period which leads faster execution of the instructions and tasks assigned to the computer. Usually a numeric figure (in Gb) is stated and that is the physical size of data the RAM is able to store. Hard Disk Drive This computer hardware keeps all data permanently, unlike the RAM which will erase data if the computer is shut down. Comes in sizes of 2. 5″ (for laptop) and 3. 5″ (for Desktop) Usually a numeric figure (in Gb) is stated and comes in various capacity. A rough calculation Assuming a 4 min long music song is stored in mp3 format and takes up 4mb worth of space in the hard disk. 160Gb will be able to store around 40,000 songs! Graphic Card As stated, this card is initially responsible for displaying images onto the monitor. However, due to the high rendering first-person-shooter games being produced, gamers will demand their graphics card to be better than the CPU. This is due to the fact that the graphic card will handle all taxing gaming images which the CPU was unable to process. To meet up the demands, even graphics cards are going dual core! Power Supply Unit (PSU) The life of the computer! This computer hardware sends power to various devices, such as the mainboard, hard disk drives, etc. This is often the most overlooked hardware and is frequently compromised due to budget constraints. However, by cutting down on getting a good PSU, risks such as electric shock and under-current may occurs which could instantly destroy the mainboard and other hardware by providing the wrong current or voltage!! Computer Casing / Chasis Computer case is the tough armor to protect the dedicated various computer hardware. Casing are important as they ventilate and regulate air flow to prevent overheating of the essential computer hardware. Optical Drives Commonly known as CD-ROM / DVD-ROM or DVD Writers, this allows reading of various CDs/DVDs. ROM hardware are only able to read from CD / DVD, while DVD Writers enables writing (copying of data) to the discs. The latest technology for Optical Drive is currently Blu-Ray ROM will allows reading of Blu-ray disc. Due to the high cost, it is not widely included in systems. Monitor Is a visual display unit that shows images generated by the graphic card. CRT monitors that are working today are using older technology which consumes more power. Mainstream monitor manufactured are now mostly LCD due to their compact size and cheaper cost to manufacture. LCD monitors come in various sizes, ranging from a minimum of 15″ to up to 70″! Keyboard and Mouse Is the hardware to input data and commands into the computer. I hope that the above computer guide will assist you in having a further understanding of computer hardware. For more information about computer, do visit S-Mall Computer Article Section. If you are purchasing computers in Singapore, do drop by our website http://www. s-mall. com. sg PR: wait. . . I: wait. . . L: wait. . . LD: wait. . . I: wait. . . Rank: wait. . . C: wait. . .