Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, classified into system unit, memory, input/output devices, and storage. The system unit contains the microprocessor and memory, while input devices like keyboards convert user data for processing, and output devices like monitors display processed information. Storage options include hard disks, solid-state drives, and optical discs, enabling data retention even when the power is off, and communication devices like modems allow computers to connect over the internet.

1. HARDWARE & ITS TYPES

2. What Is Hardware?
A hardware is the physical touchable parts of a system.
The hardware makes the main structural unit of the
system.
The hardware is mainly classified into the followings:
IV. Communication
III. Storage
II. Input/output Devices
I. System Unit

3. I. SYSTEM UNIT
❖ The system unit is a containerthat houses most of
the electroniccomponents that makeupa computer
system.
➢It is the permanent memory of the computer.
➢It is the main storage memory of the computer system.
II. ROM- Read-only-memory
➢It is also the temporary memory of the system.
➢It holds the program and data that is currently being processed.
I. RAM- Random-access-memory
❖The memory is divided into two types:
❖ Memory is a holding area for data, instructions,
and information.
❖ The microprocessorcontrols and manipulates
data to produce information.
❖ Two important components of the
system unitare the microprocessor
and the memory.

4. II. INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES
I. INPUT DEVICES-
➢The most common input devicesare keyboard & mouse.
➢Thesedevices translatedata & programs that humans can understand into
a form that computer can process.

5. II. INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES
II. OUTPUTDEVICES-
➢The most common outputdevices are monitor, printer& speakers.
➢ Thesedevicestranslatethe processed information from the computer
into a form that human can understand.

6. III. STORAGE
➢ Storageorsecondary storageholdsdata & programseven after
electrical power to the computersystem has been turned off.
➢The most important kind of secondary mediaare hard disks, solid-statestorage
& optical disks.

7. HARD DISKS
➢Hard disks are typically used to store programs & very
large data files.
➢Using rigid metallic platters & red/write heads that move
across the platters, data & information is stored using magnetic
charges of the disk’s surface

8. SOLID-STATE STORAGE
➢Solid –state storage does not have any moving parts, is more reliable&
requires less power.
1. FLASH MEMORY CARD 2. USB DRIVE
➢It has two types :
➢It saves data & information electronicallysimilarto RAM except that
it not volatile.

9. OPTICAL DISC
➢These discs use laser technology & have the greatest
capacity.
1. Compactdiscs
(CDs)
2. Digital versatilediscs
(DVDs)
3. High-definitiondiscs
(hi defs)
➢Three types of optical discs are:

10. IV. COMMUNICATION
➢Using communication devices,a micro computer can communicatewith other
computer systems located anywherein the world using internet.
➢A modem also modifiescomputer outputs into a form that can be
transmitted across standard telephone lines.
➢The most widelyused communicationdeviceis a modem, which modifies
telephonecommunication into a form that can be processed by a computer.