THE 6 MAIN HARDWARE ELEMENTS - TECHNOLOGY - 2025

The main hardware elements are the monitor, mouse, hard drive, motherboard, case, and keyboard. Some of these components, such as the mouse or monitor, are quickly visible.

Others require the computer case to be opened, because they are delicate components that are enclosed to protect them from environmental hazards.

Although these items are considered essential, there are some that are used only out of habit and others that can be replaced in some ways.

The 6 main elements of hardware

1- The monitor

The monitor is the means that the computer uses to communicate with the user. For example, when words are written in a text program, they appear on the monitor screen, so you know that the computer has correctly registered them.

This item can also be used as a television or even as a movie screen.

2- The mouse

After its introduction in 1964, the mouse has slowly risen to the status of an essential component of a computer installation.

It is used to move an arrow on the screen that controls graphic elements of the programs.

Despite this, it is not an absolutely necessary element. Many computers of the past and specialized computers, such as servers, were and still are operated only with the keyboard.

3- The keyboard

Since the beginning of the commercialization of computers, the keyboard is the most important component for a user to communicate with the machine.

Although the mouse is being replaced in certain types of computers by touch screen technologies, the keyboard is still essential and is included even if it is digital.

4- The casing

The case protects the internal elements of the computer from hazards in the environment.

The most common case is a black box made of aluminum with fans, but there are countless variations of case designs.

5- The motherboard

The motherboard is an internal piece of hardware that corresponds to the center of the computer. It is the central place where all the internal elements are connected.

Mounted on the motherboard is random access memory (RAM), which the computer uses to quickly store and retrieve information.

There is also the processing unit, which does all the necessary calculations; and the video card, which is required to send graphic information to the monitor.

The motherboard and most of the components that make it up are those required for the computer to function.

6- The hard disk

The most direct information for the user is stored on the hard drive. This disk allows long-term storage of data.

The hard drive looks like a metal case. In the past most hard drives had memory saucers inside them.

Currently SSDs are becoming popular, which use microchips to store information.

References

1. PC Plus. (December 02, 2012). Best monitor for watching movies. Recovered from techradar.com
2. Center for Computing History. (2017). The History of the Computer Mouse. Recovered from computinghistory.org.uk
3. Patterson, M. (July 7, 2013). 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Computer Mouse. Recovered from paperdroids.com
4. Pogue, D. (January 01, 2013). Why Touch Screens Will Not Take Over. Recovered from scientificamerican.com
5. Fisher, T. (May 17, 2017). What is a Computer Case? Recovered from lifewire.com