2. Hardware

Hardware is a generic term for any part of the computer that you can physically touch, pick up, hold, move around the room etc. In other words, hardware are the physical parts that make up the computer.

Examples of external hardware (not inside the computer):

• Monitor - so you can see what you are working on
• Printer - so you can get a paper copy of your work
• Keyboard - so you can type text, numbers and symbols into your work
• Mouse - so you can point, click and select things on your screen
• Microphone - so you can input voice or sound recordings

Examples of internal hardware (inside the computer):

• Hard disk - to store all of your applications and files
• CPU (Central Processing Unit) - the 'brains' of the computer
• Fan - to keep the CPU cool and stop it overheating
• Motherboard - the main printed circuit board in the computer with sockets to connect the other parts
• Sound card - used to generate and capture sounds