Computer Hardware, Computer Hardware Components, Computer Parts

Computer hardware consists of the different components of a computer including the CPU or the Central Processing Unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor, hard disk, RAM or memory, drives such as the DVD, CD, optical, tape and so forth. All these components are essential for the proper functioning of a personal computer.

Understanding Computer Hardware in Detail

The whole computer is available with the above mentioned components but it is also possible to purchase these components individually from many of the online and offline stores. Some of the most important components include the following:

• Central Processing Unit or the CPU: the CPU refers to the processor of the computer. Although there are a wide number of companies that manufacture CPUs or processors for personal computers, the Pentium chip manufactured by Intel is widely and commonly used by most of the manufacturers.
• Keyboard: most important computer hardware includes the keyboard which is essential to enter commands and words. Every key in the keyboard is a representation of an alphabet, number, sign, function and so forth. There are keys which represent actions like Delete, Enter, Alt, Ctrl, Page Up, Page Down, Home, End and many more. Each different key has a specific function.

There are 101 keys in an ordinary standard keyboard. Keyboards which are ergonomically designed have special features to make typing easier. Each key has two characters which can be typed by pressing the Shift key. The Ctrl, Alt and Shift keys are known as the command keys.

• Mouse: Important computer hardware also includes the mouse. It is used for navigating on the computer’s screen, to click on options, to select objects and to access information. There are usually two buttons on the mouse- one on the left which is used for selection and one on the right which is used to access information. There are different types of mouse available today which include optical mouse, scroll mouse, laser mouse, ball mouse and so forth. The scroll mouse, or the wheel mouse, has a plastic wheel in between the left and right buttons on the mouse. This important computer hardware also includes the optical mouse which sends optical signals to the computer. The ball mouse includes a ball in the mouse casing which moves when the mouse is moved on the pad. This movement sends the required signal to the computer.
• Hard disk: computer hardware also includes hard disk which is a device used for permanent storage of data. The performance of a computer depends on the rotation speed of the hard disk. The higher the rotation speed, the higher the performance of the computer.
• RAM or the Random Access Memory: RAM is also a computer hardware that stores information temporarily. But however, while rebooting or turning off the computer, this information will be erased. The performance of the computer depends largely on the RAM and if the size of the RAM is larger, the computer will perform better and faster.

Computer hardware also includes components like sound cards, digital cameras, scanners and modems. Different types of components are available and it may differ according to the type of the computer.

{Via: Ezinearticles.com}

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What Are the Computer Hardware Business Trends in India

If you are thinking of starting a computer hardware business in India, it is a favorable time to do so. Computer and other hardware components have become common items in households, at offices and commercial places as well. The computer hardware manufacturers are enjoying success in all segments of the industry.

Apart from computer manufacturing and computer hardware selling businesses, a third type of computer related business is that of computer repair services. Many users in the country, who are quite new to the use of computer hardware, end up misusing various hardware components. So, expert hardware professionals are required in large number in all cities to provide hardware repair services.

The first requirement to start a computer hardware business in India is to be computer educated. You must have familiarity with different hardware components so that you can purchase quality parts for your customers and also offer hardware repair and replacement services as and when required. Besides, it is important to learn about the ongoing trends of the hardware industry in the country.

As per the reports, the total sales of the personal computers increased by 42 percent between October and December 2009 as compared to the same period during the previous fiscal year. In terms of actual sales, over 2 million units of personal computers were sold all over the country. This figure and the corresponding increase in the growth percentage indicate that the computer hardware industry in the country has come out of the depression period in a praiseworthy manner.

Talking about the portable computers, the popular netbook brands were able to record a growth of 27 percent during the aforesaid time period. However, the notebooks went far ahead by recording the growth of 90 percent during the same period. In total, nearly 0.66 million units of netbooks and notebooks were sold in the computer stores in the country.

The branded desktop units sold in this quarter of 2009 accounted 65 percent of the total share. Out of this, 52 percent of the branded desktops were those manufactured by the multinational brands and only 13 percent belonged to the Indian manufacturers. The remaining 35 percent of the share was dominated by the assembled desktops. The growth is no different for other segments of the computer hardware industry, as printers and storage hardware too enjoyed an increase in their sales. Laser printers enjoyed the growth of 70 percent while the remaining 30 percent was shared by the inkjet printers and dot matrix printer.

As for the current year, the expectations of the computer hardware business owners are quite high. It is expected that the annual growth of about 7 percent should be recorded by the total sale of personal computers in the current fiscal year. In terms of actual sales, the figure for total number of personal computers to be sold is expected to cross the mark of 7 million.

So, you must consider it a good opportunity to have a computer hardware business in one of the cities of India. However, make sure that you analyze the level of competition already existing in the area’s market.

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