HARDWARE PARTS OF COMPUTER (input, outputs, processing, and storage)

Overview

• The flow of data in an information system requires specific hardware for each phase
• This includes hardware for input, output, processing and storage

Input Hardware

Input hardware exists in many different shapes and sizes, and are tailored specifically for particular systems. Below is a list of common input devices.

• Keyboards
• Touch screens
• Pointing devices
• Mouse
• Touchpad / trackpad
• Joystick

Processing Hardware

• Processing in a computer system is handled by the Central Processing Unit (CPU) 

• The motherboard of a computer is essential to this process as it houses the CPU, RAM and other integral components
• Random access memory (RAM) allows for the data being processed to be stored temporarily
• Data can be processed in a number of ways

Output Hardware

Output devices are continuously changing as technology advances. Various types of display outputs as well as printers and audio devices continue to evolve daily. These devices are responsible for transmitting data in to a form that we as humans are able to interpret, e.g. text, images, audio, and even events we can feel (see: haptic feedback).

• Monitors
• Printers
• Haptic sensors (for example, mobile device vibrations upon touch input)
• Sound cards and speakers

Storage Hardware

Often data that has been processed is stored for later processing or reading. Many devices are capable of storing such information.

• Hard disk drives (HDDs)
• Solid-state drives (SSDs)
• Optical drives (CDs / BluRay / DVD)
• Flash storage devices (USB storage disks)
• Floppy disk drives (obsolete in today's world)
• Network-attached storage devices (NAS)